The researchers speculate that alcohol destroys folate one of the B complex vitamins that is associated with a lower risk of cancer. Nevertheless, this disease which causes the crippling and deaths of some 40,000 women each year is not entirely the result of heredity, nor does it only affect women. Evidence is now pointing to the fact that osteoporosis is also influenced by lifestyle. For one, osteoporosis is much rarer among populations in which meat is consumed sparingly or not at all. There are sound reasons for this-one being that meat is high in phosphorous which can impair calcium balance.
Meat also has sulfur containing amino acids which cause calcium loss from bones.
It is difficult to regain calcium once it is lost from the body because the storing of calcium is controlled by hormones. Estrogen therapy aids in the absorption following menopause but this is not appropriate therapy for all women. It is therefore important for middle-aged and older persons to take steps to ensure that calcium loss is not hastened by poor lifestyle choices, and to ensure that they get adequate amounts of calcium. Broccoli, collard greens, calcium fortified orange juice, cornbread, tofu, and navy, soybeans, and waxbeans are excellent sources of calcium and are more readily absorbable forms than the calcium found in dairy products. Fruits, vegetables, and wine also contain boron, an element that appears to be important in preventing the loss of calcium.