This intake is probably two or three times that of most adult women in the United States. Reductions in fracture rates can occur within 18 months of starting calcium supplementation. Calcium intake may be most important in young adults, beginning many years before most people even think about osteoporosis. Concern about calcium intake and bone density should begin decades before menopause. Research into what causes calcium loss in ongoing.
Women are at a higher risk of osteoporosis than men in part because men have larger, stronger bones.
Women are at the highest risk of osteoporosis during and after menopause, when estrogen levels decrease. Acidic diets contain large portions of protein-rich foods such as meats and cheeses. In the study, Dr. Sellmeyer found that 9,000 women 65 years of age or older were 3.7 times more likely to suffer hip fractures if their diets were highly acidic. Researchers say a balanced diet, rich in fruits and vegetables, such as broccoli, bananas, apricots, and spinach, can help prevent bone loss. Thomas Remer and Friedrich Manz, Journal of the American Dietetic Association.