We have a bone to pick - a healthy bone that is Part 3

Your health, naturally

By Len Rossi, ND, LMT

THE ROLE OF CALCIUM

Women with calcium deficient diets throughout their lives are five times more likely to develop osteoporosis than women whose diets are adequate. Bone loss often begins in the teenager as a result of fad or crash diets low in calcium or vitamin D, and high in phosphorus, which is found in soft drinks.

Dr. Anthony Albanese, director of the Nutrition and Metabolic Research Division, Burke Rehabilitation Cen­ter, White Plains, New York, and the Geriatric Nutrition Laboratory, Miriam Osborn Memorial Home, Rye, New York, found in a study of girls between the ages of 15 and 20, that 10 to 15 percent exhibited a 20 percent bone loss.

According to Dr. Albanese, the condition complicates itself in child­bearing years. During pregnancy, the fetus requires 400 mg. of calcium each day. Often, supplements prescribed by physicians are inade­quate to make up this additional re­quirement. A breast-fed infant also needs 400 mg. per day. In both in­stances, if the calcium is not supplied through the mother's diet, then it is pulled from her bones where 99 per­cent of the body's calcium is stored. During the course of one pregnancy, one-fourth of a woman's calcium could be eaten away if no effort is made to replace it through diet and supplements. Currently the RDA for women is between 1000 and 1500 mg per day. Up to 2000 mg per day may be needed to prevent/reverse bone loss.

Dr. Len Rossi, ND has been a proponent of Natural Healing for over 30 years. After a 25-year career as a pro wrestler, Len earned his Doctor of Naturopathy degree in 1982 and is a Licensed Massage Therapist. Email lenrossi@comcast.net.