|
Women who do not take Calcium supplements could be at serious risk for osteoporosis and hip fractures. Adequate calcium intake will help ensure that calcium deficiency is not contributing to a weakening of the skeleton, one of the steps necessary for bone health.
A telephone survey conducted by The Washington Post of 1000 women diagnosed with osteoporosis who were currently taking one of the major prescription drugs to treat osteoporosis, Fosamax or Evista, revealed that less than 50% of these women were taking a calcium supplement. They erroneously believed that the prescription medication was all they needed, when in fact patients on Fosamax or Evista must be also taking a calcium supplement to prevent further deterioration of their bones.
Did you know that Vitamin D deficiency may increase the risk of hip fractures in older women?
The April 1999 issue of JAMA published a study conducted at Brigham and Women's Hospital in Boston and found that 50% of women with osteoporosis who were hospitalized for hip fracture had undetected vitamin D deficiency. Vitamin D deficiency can result in a lack of absorption of calcium necessary to maintain healthy bones and can increase the risk of hip fractures.
Forty percent of women having a Dexa Scan will have an abnormal reading. Patients with an abnormal Dexa Scan must be on a Calcium supplement to help restore their bones. Without taking a Calcium supplement, women with abnormal Dexa Scans could develop osteoporosis and are at high risk for having hip fractures. A women's risk of developing a hip fracture is equal to her combined risk of developing breast, uterine, and ovarian cancer. One in five patients dies one year after sustaining an osteoporotic hip fracture.
According to the National Osteoporosis Foundation only 20% of adult women are consuming adequate amounts of calcium each day. Both the NOF and the American Academy of Sciences recommend the following daily dosage of Calcium based on the patient's condition:
- Premenopausal women: 1000 mg. a day
- Perimenopausal or postmenopausal women on HRT or ERT: 1000 mg. a day
- Peri- and Postmenopausal women not taking estrogen: 1500 mg a day
- 400-800 iu of vitamin D a day; and 350 mg. of magnesium a day in addition to their Calcium
More than 1200 physicians recommend taking Clinician's Choice Osteo Guard for Calcium supplementation. A daily dose of Osteo Guard provides the recommended minimum of 1000 mg of Calcium per day. Osteo Guard also contains adequate amounts of Vitamin D, Magnesium, and Boron required for maximum absorption. The Calcium contained in the Osteo Guard is lead-free -- most patients do not know that the Calcium supplement they are taking may contain lead.
Keep your patient's bones healthy. Choose Osteo Guard for your patient's Calcium needs.
- National Osteoporosis Foundation
- National Institute of Health Council on Aging
- National Research Council Food and Nutrition Board
Go Back
|
