Foods high in calcium and vitamin D are especially good for boosting bone density. These are the best known nutrients when we think about bones, but several others also play an important part, including vitamin C, potassium, and magnesium. That’s why any diet geared toward preventing bone loss should be well balanced and contain plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables as well as lean sources of protein.
Some foods are better than others in this regard, so we’ll break down 7 super choices for preventing and managing osteoporosis. It’s important to take this disease seriously because while the symptoms of it are painless, the result is a much higher risk of fractures that take a really long time to heal and can leave you vulnerable to systemic infections.
But don’t worry – these are all good foods. We like #6 in particular as a versatile substitute for the one thing most of us eat way too much of.
Can you guess what it is? Read on for the answer to this and many more questions about protecting your bone health.
Dark Greens
We tend to think of dairy as the only source for calcium, but in reality it can be found in many different vegetables. Dark, leafy greens like kale, collard greens, bok choy, Chinese cabbage, and turnip greens are all high in calcium.
But that’s not all. They also contain a good amount of vitamin K, which is known to further reduce your risk of osteoporosis.
Potatoes
Lesser known than calcium and vitamin D but still critical to bone health are magnesium and potassium. And what’s more, these nutrients all work together to protect your bones. Being deficient in magnesium can throw off your balance of vitamin D. Potassium, on the other hand, is able to neutralize the acids in your body that otherwise leach calcium right out of your bones.
Both sweet and white potatoes are a rich source of magnesium and potassium. Just be sure to bake or boil them, rather than fry them in oil, to preserve the health value.
Citrus Fruit
Everyone knows that citrus fruits are an excellent source of vitamin C. But you may not have realized that vitamin C plays a huge role in preventing bone loss. That’s because vitamin C is necessary for the development of collagen, which is the fibrous portion of bone and cartilage.
Bad news for ladies, though. Studies have shown that supplementing with vitamin C is more effective for preserving bone density in men. But don’t stop eating citrus just because you’re female. Vitamin C is crucial for a lot of things, including smooth and young-looking skin. Just one grapefruit or orange can deliver a full day’s allowance.
Fish
Many varieties of fatty fish offer a nice amount of vitamin D to help your body use calcium. Fish also has omega-3 fatty acids, which in addition to bone health can support your joints and cardiovascular wellness.
Salmon in particular is a great source of potassium, and canned salmon contains calcium as well. The reason for the calcium is that small, soft bones are packaged with the meat. The same is true of sardines. You won’t even notice the bones, but if the idea bothers you, it’s still great to eat salmon filets, as well as canned or fresh mackerel and tuna.
