• Question: Hi Does drinking milk or taking calcium supplements help oestoperosis? :)

    Asked by chocoholiclea to Amy, Drew, Julia, Kimberley, Sara on 17 Jun 2011.
    • Photo: Julia Griffen

      Julia Griffen answered on 16 Jun 2011:

      Hey chocoholiclea…
      Osteoporosis is a bone disease where the bones basically start to waste away become fragile and prone to fractures. The condition is associated with old age.

      Our bones are made up of calcium, which keeps them tough and strong..
      So simply by taking calium suppliments strengthens bones.

    • Photo: Kimberley Bryon

      Kimberley Bryon answered on 16 Jun 2011:

      Oeseoporosis mainly develops in women after they have been through the menopause. It causes weakness in the bones leading to an increase in fractures. Taking calcium supplements (or drinking milk which is high in calcium) and vitamin D supplements can help strengthen the bones and decrease the likelihood of a fracture.

    • Photo: Sara Imari Walker

      Sara Imari Walker answered on 17 Jun 2011:

      Yes! These ladies have covered it. And the nice thing is milk tastes yummy too!!

    • Photo: Amy MacQueen

      Amy MacQueen answered on 17 Jun 2011:

      I have just had a word with a doctor and this is what he said…

      “Calcium supplements only have a proven role in female patients in a residential care setting. Presumably though they must work in others too. Milk no evidence.

      There is an interesting point that the cost of conducting clinical trials stops them from being used to investigate the effect of very cheap non-profitable interventions (such as milk, which may work or may not, no one knows).

      The short answer is no and yes.

      Ed”

      so there you go – there is no EVIDENCE for milk working…but its probably a good idea to drink it…especially if you are a girl under the age of 22 – as this is about the age we reach our peak bone density. After that its all downhill!! Another good thing to do to strengthen your bones is some weight bearing exercise (things like walking and running, not swimming) as this will improve your bone density.

      Hope thats of help, sorry I got to the question so late! 🙂 🙂

      Have a fantastic day! 🙂

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