Super Food For Strong Bones

Strong Bones: Yours to Keep

Our bones remain strong throughout young adulthood. As we hit our 30s, they slowly begin to thin out. In women, this process accelerates after menopause, but there are ways to put on the brakes. One of the best lines of defense is your diet — eating the right foods can give you the maximum bone strength and boost your bone density at any age.

Got Milk?

Calcium is the cornerstone of strong bones. Adults up to age 50 need 1,000 milligrams per day. Beginning at age 51, women need 1,200 milligrams every day, and when men hit 71, they need to hit that mark, too. The pop star of calcium sources is undoubtedly milk. A single 8-ounce cup of milk, whether skim, low-fat, or whole, has 300 milligrams of calcium.

Sunshine

OK, sunshine is not a food. But the body produces vitamin D in response to sunlight. Without vitamin D, our bodies cannot properly absorb the calcium in foods. Cloudy weather, a northern latitude, and darker skin can interfere. Plus, dermatologists don’t recommend the sun because it damages the skin. So some people may choose a vitamin D supplement. The recommended dietary intake is 600 IU a day for most adults, jumping to 800 IU above age 70.

Hold the Salt

Salt is a major culprit in depriving the body of calcium. The more salt you eat, the more calcium gets carried away by urine. Sticking to a low-salt diet can help you keep more calcium to strengthen your bones.

Nuts & Seeds

Nuts and seeds can bolster bone health in several ways. Walnuts and flaxseeds are packed with omega-3 fatty acids. Peanuts and almonds contain potassium, which protects against the loss of calcium in urine. Nuts also contain protein and other nutrients that play a supportive role in building strong bones.

Salmon

Salmon and other types of fatty fish offer an array of bone-boosting nutrients. They contain vitamin D, which assists in calcium absorption. They’re also high in omega-3 fatty acids, which may also help bones. Fish oil supplements have been shown to reduce bone loss in women and may help prevent osteoporosis.

Soy Foods

Half a cup of calcium-enriched tofu contains over 400 milligrams of calcium. Soy milk is usually fortified with 300 milligrams of calcium per cup. Soy has other bone-building benefits, too. New research suggests plant-based chemicals called isoflavones strengthen bone. Isoflavones are plentiful in soy foods, such as tofu. This may make soy useful in warding off bone disease in postmenopausal women.

Fortified Foods

If dairy products, sardines, and leafy greens leave you cold, consider eating fortified foods. These are products that do not naturally contain calcium but have been enhanced with varying amounts of the essential mineral. Breakfast foods are a great start — fortified orange juice has about the same calcium as milk, and fortified cereals deliver up to 1,000 milligrams per cup. Check the nutritional label for the exact amount.

Greens

You might be surprised to learn that calcium is plentiful in many vegetables. Go for dark leafy greens such as bok choy , Chinese cabbage, and kale. The traditional soul food favorites, collard and turnip greens, offer a lot of calcium, too. One cup of chopped, cooked turnip greens has about 200 milligrams of calcium.

Sardines

Milk and dairy products are not the only ways to get calcium. Another excellent source is sardines. All those little fish bones have just what you need to build bone mass in your own body. Eating 3 ounces of canned sardines delivers a little more calcium than a cup of milk.

Yogurt and Cheese

Not a milk drinker? A cup of yogurt has at least as much calcium as an 8-ounce cup of milk. And 1 ounce of Swiss cheese has nearly as much. Even if you’re lactose intolerant, you can probably eat yogurt and hard cheeses without any problem. Or try lactose-free dairy products. Removing lactose from milk and dairy foods does not affect the calcium content.