Brooks Memorial Hospital - The Observer

Page 30 Medical Directory 2011There are more benefits to calcium than women might think(ARA) — Eighty percentof women don’t get enoughcalcium from food alone,according to a recent studyconducted by the NationalHealth and NutritionExamination Survey. Thatmeans women’s bodies arestealing calcium from theirbones.Many foods like milk andother dairy products are wellknown to be prime sources ofcalcium. Calcium is a crucialnutrient that helps build andmaintain bones, muscles andteeth. It also keeps us movingby helping to maintain musclehealth and strength. Buttaking a calcium supplementalone isn’t enough. The NIHreports that vitamin D intakeis also important because itimproves calcium absorption.But many women arefalling short of meeting theirrecommended daily calciumallowance - between 1,000mg and 1,200 mg. In fact,many assume that a drop ofmilk in their morning cup ofcoffee will provide all the calciumthey need for the day.Ladies may be surprised tolearn that an eight ounceglass of skim milk onlymakes up 30 percent of thecalcium they need each day.If you are not gettingenough calcium or enoughexercise, your body is morelikely to steal the calcium itneeds from your bones.Risks of not enough calciumOne of the most commonrisks of not getting enoughcalcium is osteoporosis, adisease characterized by lowbone mass and deteriorationof bone tissue. Osteoporosiscan lead to bone fragility.Without bone-density testing,you may not know you’resuffering from osteoporosisuntil you suffer a fracture —which happens to half of allwomen older than 50.Starting youngIf you think calcium isimportant only when you’reolder, think again. NHANESalso found that 90 percent ofteenage girls aren’t gettingenough calcium through dietalone. Since boys and girlsbetween the ages of 9 and 18years old need 1,300 mg ofcalcium per day, getting ahead start on healthy habitscan prove vital in providing astrong nutritional foundationas they get older.Finding the right supplementIf you don’t get enough calciumthrough your diet, thensupplements, like Caltrate,are a good compliment to givingyour body the nutrients itneeds to help keep your bonesstrong and your body moving.These days, calcium supplements,like Caltrate, are availablein tablets, soft chews andgummy forms and most canbe taken with or without food.However, calcium alone isn’tenough. Calcium should betaken in conjunction with vitaminD because it helps thebody absorb calcium for thedevelopment and maintenanceof bones. It also supportsmobility as it may helpimprove muscle health andstrength.Caltrate helps replenish thecalcium and vitamin D3women need each day. Tohighlight that commitment,Caltrate is partnering withSusan G. Komen for the Cureas a national sponsor ofSusan G. Komen Race for theCure series.To learn more about theimportance of calcium andvitamin D in your diet, forspecial offers and productinformation, and to shareyour story about who, orwhat, moves you, visitFacebook.com/Caltrate.G&P GYNECARE, P.C.Women’s Health Care Center • Gyn ecology & Obstetrics306 Central Ave., Dunkirk(716) 366-4210Andre A. Persaud, M.D.Kathleen Piede, N.PRebecca Salerno, P.A.DUNKIRK OFFICE:Personally Answered 24 Hrs. a Day, 7 Days a Week♦NEW PATIENTS WELCOME ♦Celebrating Over 25 YearsOf Excellent Patient Care!340 E. 4th St., Jamestown(716) 487-2536