DIETING AND OSTEOPOROSIS

With many women obsessed with having a perfect figure; trying out all sorts of diets has become a part of life. Many of these diets if followed properly will result in losing the desired weight, but what are the long term health problems that one will suffer as a result of these diets?

Osteoporosis is a disease where the bones become weak and brittle leading to fractures and is caused by insufficient amounts of calcium in the diet. Many diets such as the Dukan diet restrict the consumption of calcium rich food sources such as cheese and other dairy products, whereas diets like Weight Watchers requiring 3 servings of dairy per day for women over 50 is a more healthy way to loose weight.. The Food Standard Agency sets out the daily requirement for calcium as 700mg per day.

Foods rich in calcium such as green leafy vegetables, tofu, cabbage, sardines and nuts and low fat dairy products should be included in your daily diet along with a Vitamin D supplement to help the body absorb the calcium.

Exercises such as running, jogging and resistance training is important to build and maintain bone density.