3 Of The Best Nutrients For Bone Health

 

Keeping the bones throughout your body, including your teeth, healthy is an important part of your healthcare routine, no matter how old you are. Children need the right nutrition to help their bones grow big and strong. As an adult, you need enough of the right nutrients that support bone health because you will be active and you will need to protect yourself from injuries, or you may end up getting a job that requires you to sit at a desk for many hours, thereby leading to a sedentary lifestyle that needs the right nutrition to keep your bones strong because you aren't exercising enough. And as you get even older, especially after women go through menopause, bone health and strength begins to wane, so you really need to supplement your diet with the right nutrients to keep them strong and prevent breaks.

 

Calcium

 

Calcium is the first nutrient that most people think of when they think of a mineral that will keep their bones strong. Because the body cannot produce calcium on its own, it relies upon the diet to get enough of this nutrient. Once it is absorbed into the bloodstream, the calcium is transported to all areas of the body that can use it, such as the bones, teeth, muscles, nerves and heart.

Make sure you get enough calcium by taking a high quality supplement each day and also eating foods, such as almonds, calcium-fortified foods and dark leafy greens, which are rich in this mineral.

 

Magnesium

 

Magnesium is another mineral that will help your body absorb the calcium it needs, so it really is best to take a supplement daily that contains the right proportion of calcium to magnesium in order to ensure that you are getting enough of both nutrients. Magnesium also helps your body in many other ways, including blood pressure regulation and muscle and nerve function. It also helps your body synthesise protein and regulate blood sugar levels.

You can get enough magnesium by incorporating the right foods into your diet. The foods that are highest in magnesium include almonds, spinach, cashews, peanuts, shredded wheat cereal, soymilk, black beans, edamame, peanut butter, avocado, potatoes and brown rice.

 

Vitamin D

 

Vitamin D is a very important vitamin that can help maintain your bone health. Your body needs this nutrient in order to absorb calcium, but a lot of people are deficient in it. Deficiency can lead to frail bones that are more likely to break. 

Although your body can create its own vitamin D every time your skin gets a few minutes of sun exposure, a lot of people do not get enough time in the sun, so supplementing with a high quality vitamin is a great way to go. You can also get vitamin D from foods such as fish, fortified milks and cereals and certain mushrooms.

Getting the right nutrients through diet and supplementation will ensure your bones will always be strong. Focus on getting adequate amounts of vitamin D, magnesium and calcium.

Nancy Baker, the author of this article, is a freelance blogger who writes for SRH Health Foods & Wellness Clinic, a leading health food store in Dunnville. She loves jazz and blues music and is pretty handy with a guitar. You can also follow her on Twitter @Nancy Baker.

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