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- $Unique_ID{BRK00777}
- $Pretitle{}
- $Title{Is Taking Calcium Alone Any Good for Osteoporosis?}
- $Subject{osteoporosis calcium Musculoskeletal bone bones hormone medication
- medications estrogen hormones menopause replacement therapy}
- $Volume{M-17,R-22}
- $Log{
- Contributing Factors to Osteoporosis*0005701.scf
- Osteoporosis*0005702.scf}
-
- Copyright (c) 1991-92,1993 Tribune Media Services, Inc.
-
-
- Is Taking Calcium Alone Any Good for Osteoporosis?
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- QUESTION: I have osteoporosis and have been taking 1000 mg of calcium a day
- for four years. My doctor tells me it isn't doing me any good since I am not
- taking hormones, and that I am just wasting my money. Can you tell me if it's
- true and if there is any harm from taking calcium?
-
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-
- ANSWER: Let us start with the easy part of your question. No, you are not
- harming yourself in any way with the dosage of calcium you are now taking.
- Only individuals with certain kidney diseases, and who have a tendency to form
- kidney stones, require special consideration. But merely taking a calcium
- supplement will not cure your osteoporosis either, although it is a fine idea
- to take enough calcium to prevent the development of the condition. Most
- women consume less than 500 mg of calcium each day, while scientists recommend
- at least 1200 mg/daily for youngsters 10-18 years of age, 1000 mg/ daily for
- premenopausal women, or women taking estrogen treatment, 1500 mg/day for
- postmenopausal women NOT on estrogens. This provides the body with sufficient
- calcium reserves to create bone, or help stop the loss that occurs due to
- osteoporosis. The hormone estrogen slows bone loss and improves the body's
- absorption and retention of calcium. During menopause, production of estrogen
- diminishes and then stops. As a result women lose bone rapidly in the early
- menopausal years. In order to slow this process many doctors, including your
- own, recommend estrogen replacement therapy at the time of menopause,
- especially for women at high risk for osteoporosis. I imagine that in
- evaluating your personal situation, your physician has determined that your
- benefits from estrogen therapy outweigh its risks, and therefore is
- encouraging you to start the treatment. You will still need your daily
- calcium though, to obtain the best possible results.
-
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-
- The material contained here is "FOR INFORMATION ONLY" and should not replace
- the counsel and advice of your personal physician. Promptly consulting your
- doctor is the best path to a quick and successful resolution of any medical
- problem.
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