BONE health is a vital part of overall wellbeing, but when you can’t see them how do you know they’re in tip top condition?
Luckily, Marraboor pharmacist Jarred Kiel and his team are on hand to help people optimise their bone health and guide them regarding supplements and other ways of building bone strength.
Calcium was one of the key minerals that comes to mind, and for good reason as it gives bones strength and structure.
Mr Kiel said the key way we access calcium was through diet, including through products such as milk, cheese and yoghurt – the most known sources of dietary calcium.
However, it can also be derived through foods such as sardines and canned salmon, green leafy vegetables like kale and Chinese cabbage, and nuts and seeds like almonds or poppy and sesame seeds.
If you are not getting enough calcium through food, Mr Kiel said you could top-up through supplementation, and Marraboor Pharmacy has a wide range of products to assist you, which may be particularly useful as people aged.
Older adults have higher needs when it came to calcium, with women over 50 and men over 70 needing 1300mg per day because is was less effectively absorbed from the intestines with more lost through the kidneys.
In addition to adequate calcium intake, bone health can also be optimised by ensuring your Vitamin D intake was sufficient.
“In our part of the world, you can get most of your Vitamin D from the sun, particularly in summer,” Mr Kiel said.
Again, as you age, absorption may become more difficult, so supplements are on hand, with winter a key time to watch your levels.
Mr Kiel also advised speaking to your doctor about bone density testing if you have concerns, and to engage in weight bearing, resistance training and balance exercises as an additional tool to maximise bone strength.
