5 foods that people with osteoporosis should limit

Red meat, foods high in sugar, salt, caffeine, oxalate and phytate increase the risk of calcium loss, making osteoporosis worse.

Osteoporosis is a chronic disease that often occurs in postmenopausal women and men over the age of 50. The disease can develop in young people who smoke, are sedentary, have long-term unbalanced eating habits, or are hereditary.

Master, Doctor Nguyen Anh Duy Tung, Nutrihome Nutrition Center, said that to control osteoporosis, in addition to taking medication as prescribed by the doctor, patients need a scientific nutritional regimen. They should increase foods rich in calcium, zinc, vitamin D, and limit foods that increase the risk of calcium loss, making osteoporosis worse.

Red meat : Beef, pork, lamb, and goat are rich in protein. When metabolized by the body, acid radicals are produced, causing blood pH levels to drop. To neutralize this acid, the body tends to take calcium out of the bones because calcium is a natural alkalizing substance. This process reduces bone mineral density, causing osteoporosis to progress. People with osteoporosis should not eat more than 70 grams of red meat per day, and no more than 500 grams per week.

Foods rich in oxalate and phytate : Tomatoes, spinach, eggplant, potatoes, beans and nuts, whole grains... limit the body's absorption of calcium. When encountering calcium ions in the body, oxalate and phytate can create a chemical reaction, forming precipitates of calcium oxalate and calcium phytate crystals, making it difficult for the intestines to absorb calcium.

Salty foods : People with osteoporosis should avoid salty foods because the high sodium content in salty foods can cause calcium deficiency in the body. When the amount of sodium excreted in the urine increases, it also takes a significant amount of calcium with it. This condition can increase the risk of bone fractures for people with osteoporosis.

Sugary foods : Consuming sugary foods can increase the amount of calcium excreted in the urine, causing calcium loss from the bones and promoting the progression of osteoporosis. Sugary foods are also high in calories, and consuming too much increases the risk of being overweight and obese, putting pressure on the bones, increasing the risk of bone damage or joint disease in people with osteoporosis.

Foods rich in caffeine : Cocoa, chocolate, coffee, green tea... can increase the rate of calcium loss through urine, reduce bone mineral density, and the amount of calcium in the body. People with osteoporosis who consume too much caffeine can increase the risk of bone fractures, making the disease worse. The maximum daily caffeine intake for people with osteoporosis should be less than 400 mg.

Doctor Duy Tung said that people with osteoporosis should exercise regularly and moderately. Do not drink alcohol, do not use stimulants and stay away from cigarette smoke. Have regular check-ups and take medication as prescribed by a musculoskeletal specialist (if any). Patients should go for a nutrition check-up so that the doctor can check their body index and advise on a suitable diet, which can slow the progression of the disease.

Osteoporosis increases the risk of osteoarthritis, causing pain. Some natural essences such as Eggshell membrane extract, undenatured Collagen type II and hydrolyzed Collagen peptide, Chondroitin sulfate (main component of the extracellular matrix structure), Turmeric root extract... help relieve pain, regenerate cartilage, and strengthen bones and joints.

Truong Giang

Readers ask questions about nutrition here for doctors to answer

Source link