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 | Are there any over-the-counter treatments for osteoporosis? |
|  Sufficient calcium is important in preventing and treating osteoporosis, a condition in which the bones grow porous and more likely to break. The National Institute of Health (NIH) recommends that adults get 1000 to 1500 mg of calcium every day.The major dietary sources of calcium are milk and dairy products. If you don’t get all the calcium you need through your diet—and most Americans don’t—calcium supplements are a good choice. Studies show that calcium supplements can increase bone density by 1 or 2 percent and decrease the risk of fractures by 30 percent. Calcium is best taken at bedtime because most bone loss occurs at night. The stomach can only absorb 600 mg of calcium at a time. If you want to take more than 600mg per day, take portions twice or three times a day, taking the largest amount nearest bedtime. Vitamin D can increase the amount of calcium absorbed. It is especially important to take Vitamin D if you do not get exposure to sunlight. It is recommended to take 400 IU per day.Sources:Applied Therapeutics: The Clinical Use of Drugs. Applied Therapeutics, 1995.Silverman, H.M., J.A. Romano, G. Glmer. The Vitamin Book: A No-nonsense Consumer Guide. Bantam Books, 1999.Eastell, Richard. Drug Therapy: Treatment of Postmenopausal Osteoporosis. New England Journal of Medicine. 338(1998). Drug Facts and Comparisons. Facts & Comparisons, 2006.Medline Plus. Medline, 2006.This answer prepared 1/17/2001.This information updated 12/14/2006. |
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