Originally published June 14 2005
Osteoporosis as big a problem as obesity
by Mike Adams, the Health Ranger, NaturalNews Editor
Kim Clark, RN, says osteoporosis in the United States is nearly as big a problem as obesity, largely because Americans consume lots of calories without lots of nutrients. Clark says calcium should be consumed in escalating amounts from birth. Infants to six months old should consume 210 mgs a day, kids seven to 12 months should get 270 mgs a day, kids from one to three years should get 500 mgs, kids four to eight years should get 800 mgs a day, and from nine to 18, kids should get at least 1,300 mgs a day. Nineteen- to fifty-year-olds need 1,000 mgs a day, and those 50-plus need 1,200 mgs a day to stave off osteoporosis.
"Americans are predominantly living on dense calories without dense nutrients, like sugars, refined carbohydrates and fried foods - all with a lack of calcium.
"And pop has phosphorus in it which, in large amounts, leaches calcium from the body.
"We (generally) build bone up until 20 to 25 years of age and start losing mass at about age 35," said Clark, co-owner of Town Center GNC for the last three years.
This month is National Osteoporosis Month, which helps make the general public more aware of the staggering statistics for the disease and how to minimize it, if not avoid it altogether.
At least 10 million Americans over the age of 50 are affected by the disorder, and four out of 10 women over the age of 50 will break a hip because of it.
An additional 34 million individuals are at risk for developing osteoporosis.
The cost of hospital care associated with this disorder topped $18 billion in 2004, and aftercare cost more than $10 billion.
Infants to the age of six months should ingest 210 milligrams of calcium each day and children from seven to 12 months should ingest 270 milligrams.
From age one to three years, youngsters should have a daily intake of 500 milligrams calcium.
Nineteen-year-olds to 50-year-olds require 1,000 milligrams per day and individuals who are 50+ years of age should have a daily intake of at least 1,200 milligrams.
Stressing the bones can help build bone mass, which decreases a tendency towards development of osteoporosis.
Inadequate calcium intake, high protein and salt intake, and inadequate intake of certain minerals - including magnesium, boron, zinc, folic acid and Vitamin D - are other contributing factors.
All content posted on this site is commentary or opinion and is protected under Free Speech. Truth Publishing LLC takes sole responsibility for all content. Truth Publishing sells no hard products and earns no money from the recommendation of products. NaturalNews.com is presented for educational and commentary purposes only and should not be construed as professional advice from any licensed practitioner. Truth Publishing assumes no responsibility for the use or misuse of this material. For the full terms of usage of this material, visit www.NaturalNews.com/terms.shtml