Bone loss is a concern for men and for women as they age. Supplementing with calcium has been the ‘go to’ bone-loss remedy for decades.
But unfortunately, researchers are now finding that increasing calcium through supplementation could be damaging your heart.
In an October 2010 article in MedScape Today, Dr. Sandra A. Fryhofer, MD -Clinical Associate Professor of Medicine at Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia reports that trying to fight bone-loss by following the calcium intake recommendations developed by the Food and Nutrition Board at the Institute of Medicine may also increases the risk of heart attack by up to 30%!
In similar studies, researchers from Auckland, New Zealand found that treating 1,000 people with 500mg per day of calcium supplementation for 5 years would prevent 26 fractures but cause an additional 14 heart attacks!
So what to do?
Well, did you know that strength training will increase bone density without the use of supplements?
And were you also aware that regularly engaging in a well designed progressive resistance strength training program will also improve your mood, attitude, health and general fitness? (1, 2, 3)
And how about this little factoid….
The two leading indicators of health and longevity tend to be:
- Strength
- Muscle Mass
Elsa S. Strotmeyer, Ph.D., M.P.H. the Assistant Professor at the Center for Aging and Population Health Department of Epidemiology at the University of Pittsburgh, continues to find that stronger, more physically active adults live longer, happier and healthier lives as they age.
Elsa S. Strotmeyer, PhD, MPH -University of Pittsburgh
Dr. Strotmeyer’s studies also conclude that strong and physically active adults suffer less depression, less heart disease, less diabetes and less instances of rheumatoid arthritis as well.
I know it sounds simple -but it’s really true!
Get out – Get Active –
And live a long, happy, healthy life!
To Your Good Health!
