Osteoporosis: Taking calcium
Why is calcium used to treat or prevent osteoporosis?
Calcium, combined with vitamin D, phosphorus, and weight-bearing exercise, keeps bone loss from getting worse or helps reduce the rate of bone loss that occurs with osteoporosis.
Your bones need vitamin D to absorb calcium. One study showed that vitamin D may reduce an older person's risk for falling by 22%.1 You need 200 IU of vitamin D per day if you are an adult age 19 to 50. If you are age 51 to 70, you need 400 IU per day of vitamin D, and if you are age 71 or older, you need 600 IU of vitamin D a day. If you are diagnosed with osteoporosis, you need 400 to 800 IU of vitamin D each day.
If you live in a sunny climate, you can get enough vitamin D through 10 to 15 minutes per day of sun exposure a few days a week; however, older people may not get enough this way. You can also get vitamin D in foods such as egg yolks, liver, saltwater fish, and dairy products fortified with vitamin D. Taking a vitamin D supplement along with your calcium can help strengthen your bones.
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| Author: | Robin Parks, MS | Last Updated: December 1, 2006 |
| Medical Review: | Joy Melnikow, MD, MPH - Family Medicine Carla J. Herman, MD, MPH - Internal Medicine | |
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