Calcium

[Sparkling_Diamonds]

Hi. I'm scared for my bones. I'm scared I'm going to get osteoporosis someday. When I was growing up my joints constantly cracked. I refused to drink milk because I can't stand the taste. I'm worried it's catching up with me. I'm so tired and exhausted all of the time. I think my bones are not thick enough. My weight is around 115lbs but everyone thinks I'm 130lbs. People who weigh more than I do think I'm fat, which I find weird and disturbing.

I'm not asking for permission to eat cheese and sour cream. I'm just wondering if you could list as many high calcium foods other than cheese, sour cream and milk as you possibly can.

I am currently taking calcium pill supplements. I am drinking orange juice only because it's calcium and vitamin D fortified! I haven't had a glass of milk since I was 12.

Edit: Wow, I just realized WHY I'm sooo worried about lack of calcium. Research shows that a diet high in animal protein is related to increased urinary calcium loss from the bones. Wild plants have more calcium than cultivated vegetables.

I have been eating a LOT of protein lately. We eat a lot of meat in our house. No wonder I feel like my bones are shaking!

[Tyler3295]

The Calcium supplement should suffice. :)

[averageguy]

Check that the orange juice vitamin is D3 and not D2. It will usually be D2, which isn't useful.

In regards to protein, it will acidify the body and break down bones, but as long as you weight train a little bit and eat those wild leafy green vegs, you'll have less to worry about.

[Sparkling_Diamonds]

Tonight I had spinach with red peppers, mushrooms and green onions. Which wild vegetables? I also had a potato, zuccini, carrots and cauliflower. I had half a piece of chicken and avoided bread.

I have calcium magnesium pills that are enriched with vitamin D3.

[disappearing.girl]

I used to have the same worries.
I used to take calcium/vitamin D tablets but I can't afford them anymore :(
But yes, calcium is good for weightloss apparently because it "grabs onto the fat" and helps it to pass through without being digested... Or something like that haha!

Hmmm, I want some now haha :(

xx

[FatKat]

Joints cracking have nothing to do with how strong bones are, it's actually gas escaping the cushions between the bones. Just thought I'd clarify so you don't over worry. Bones build strength up to your early twenties, after that you should continue taking calcium to fortify and prevent osteoporosis.

[grehamjones]

Calcium, or lime is the most abundant mineral in the body. When you can take Calcium, it absorbed in the small intestine and passes from there either into the bloodstream or ultimately into the bones. The consumption of calcium helps in facilitating the movement of nutrients across cell membranes. It is also important to do regular weight-bearing exercise to maximise bone strength and bone density to help prevent osteoporosis later in life.

[emilynervosa]

If you don't eat enough your bones will get thinner.
Calcium doesn't really help, unless you eat enough, the osteoporosis risk is still huge.
Lack of exercise and being underweight is also bad. (I'm really worried myself, but not enough to change it) :(

[strawberry]

I've had four stress fractures as a result of anorexia, which YOU DO NOT WANT! They hurt, and for me, ended my ballet career. I tried taking calcium supplements and eating dairy, but all that did for me was give me bone spurs (which are basically deposits of calcium). So for me (it might be different for other people, I'm just speaking from my experience), I would recommend spinach and other greens and whole grains and beans over dairy and meat; also low impact exercise. Good luck :)

[apparent.]

A calcium supplement would certainly be a good idea, but also: do you get periods? Lack of menstruation and osteoporosis go hand in hand. Your bones rely on oestrogen to reach peak density (which occurs in females at around 27 years of age). I don't know how old you are, but the teens are a really important time in which a great deal of bone hardening occurs (though this obviously continues into the 20s). Erm, yeah, do you get periods? If so, take a calcium supplement and try not to worry about it too much. Adequate exercise, menstruation, a normal enough weight and alright calcium intake should keep your bones from crumbling. If you're truly worried about your bones, it's advised that you steer clear of diet soda-y drinks, cigarettes and excessive alcohol consumption.

... Yeah.

In general, though, if your overall nutritional intake is poor, have you thought of taking pre-natal vitamins?

[Carrie]

Some one told me that Green Tea (without milk, etc.) was high in calcium.
I'm not sure, but I drink a hell of a lot of it as its supposed to be an antitoxidant also (: