Preventing Osteoporosis With Nutritional Tips From Our Caregivers in Opelika, AL
Osteoporosis is a common disease that is caused when the body loses mineral, like calcium, faster than the body can replace them causing them to become fragile and prone to fracture. In fact, osteoporosis usually has no symptoms until a fracture occurs, making it hard to determine if a person is at risk.
For this reason, osteoporosis is called the ‘silent disease’.
If not treated, more fractures can occur causing more serious health risks like chronic pain, loss of mobility and independence, or, in extreme cases, even premature death.
Give us a call at (334) 749-8461 to learn more!
Calcium: The Key To Bone Strength
So now you know a little more about what osteoporosis is, how can you help protect your loved one? Well, an excellent place to start is by encouraging them to add more calcium rich foods into their diet or take a supplement.
Much like exercise, this can help strengthen bones at any age!
The biggest stars of the calcium show are often dairy products like milk, yogurt, or cheese but, they are just the start! Other calcium rich products include:
- Calcium Fortified Foods: breakfast cereal, oatmeal, and some orange juices
- Almond Milk: it has 2x more calcium than cow’s milk!
- Fish: sardines, salmon, trout, and perch
- Veggies: spinach, okra, collards, white beans, and kale
Why We Need Vitamin D
Vitamin D is essential to bone health because of the way calcium is absorbed into the body. When the body doesn’t get enough vitamin D it cannot produce enough of the hormone called calcitriol (Active Vitamin D), which leads to insufficient calcium absorption. When this happens the body will take calcium from stores within the bones instead, preventing the formation of new, strong bone.
There are three ways you can get vitamin D: through skin from sun exposure, from supplements, and through diet.
Recommended vitamin D rich foods include:
- Fortified foods like cereals, some dairy products, or soy milk
- Egg yolks
- Beef liver
- Fatty fish, such as tuna, mackerel, and salmon
Is This Everything?
While diet play an important role in bone health, it is important to remember that other factors can contribute as well. Things like medications, lifestyle choices, or menopause can play a part in loss of bone thickness and diet alone may not be able to mitigate them. A doctor can help determine whether osteoporosis medication is necessary.
The Comfort Keepers® Personal Care Difference
At Comfort Keepers®, we understand that there simply aren’t always enough hours in a day to take care of your loved one, your family, and yourself. This is where our incredible team of caregivers can step in to help!
When you choose to work with one of our caregivers your loved one will not only have someone will care for them, but someone who will care about them. No matter how much support they may need their caregiver will be there to make sure they are able to live happily healthily and independently in their own homes.
From meal planning to include all the vitamins and minerals your senior needs, to providing transportation to doctor visits, to housekeeping, or even simply listening to stories, a caregiver will be there for your loved one. We’d love to provide a hand to help your senior do all the things they love and make their golden years shine as bright as possible.
If you’d like to learn more about how our exceptional caregivers can help your senior improve their bone health while maintaining their independence and dignity in their own home, please contact us online or call us at (334) 749-8461. Our operators are available 24/7 to answer your questions and schedule your free in home consultation.
