INTERESTING INFO FOR ASTHMA SUFFERERS

Over twenty-six million Americans have asthma. If you are one of them, ask your doctor about a bone density screening as you may be more prone to develop osteoporosis. A study of over 7,000 asthma patients published in the Annals of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology found that some asthma treatments, such as oral steroids, can raise a person's risk of developing osteoporosis, Osteoporosis is the brittle bone disease. In addition to the steroids, some asthma patients refuse to walk, jog, dance, etc - all bone strengthening exercises - because they are afraid of having an asthma attack. Asthma patients should be sure to get plenty of calcium and vitamin D.

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MILK IN COFFEE

If you have osteoporosis or need more calcium, consider adding milk to your morning coffee. Research has shown that those with osteoporosis should have milk in their coffee. Researchers state that just 1 teaspoon of milk per cup will offset the calcium loss. Note this is milk, not non-dairy creamers.

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PINEAPPLE FOR YOUR BONES

We all know we need calcium to make our bones strong and to prevent osteoporosis.  But are you aware that we also need the mineral manganese?  Joy of joys, the tasty fruit - pineapple - is full of manganese!  A professor of nutrition at the University of Texas at Austin was quoted as saying, "When we want to up the levels of manganese in the diet, we tell women to eat pineapple or drink pineapple juice."  Her studies found that women with osteoporosis have about a third less manganese in their blood than do healthy women.  When these women were given manganese, their bodies absorbed twice as much as did the bodies of the healthy women.  This was proof their bodies needed it!

There are other good sources of manganese as well, but the body doesn't absorb the mineral as well as it does from pineapple.  Some of these other sources are, oatmeal, cereals, beans, nuts, whole-wheat, spinach, and tea.

Include these foods in your diet on a regular basis for healthy bones.

WHAT SHOULD YOU EAT TO PREVENT OSTEOPOROSIS?

Disclaimer: I have osteoporosis but I just do not take osteoporosis medications. Perhaps I should but I have tried several and I just decided against them. After several colon surgeries, a bowel resection, colon cancer, etc, osteoporosis drugs are not good for my digestive system. My worst osteoporosis spot is one of my hips. When I take osteoporosis drugs, that hip hurts me. In studying the drugs I discovered most of them leach nutrients from the hips and move them elsewhere. If you are on osteoporosis drugs and they are working for you this post is not to discourage you from that course of treatment! Having said all that, this post is about eating to prevent or slow down osteoporosis. Knowing what to eat (or not eat) is important in fighting any health problem. Here are some tips for eating to prevent or slow down osteoporoisis:

• You need calcium. That is probably the number one thing everyone knows about osteoporosis. It is best to get said calcium from the foods you eat and here are some good examples - fat-free plain Greek yogurt, fat-free milk and cheese, white beans, kale, collard greens, broccoli, almonds, and soybeans. Include some of these in your diet everyday.
• Get plenty of lean protein. Examples are lean meats such as turkey, chicken, pork tenderloin, lean beef, legumes, peanut butter, beans, low-fat milk and cheeses. Avoid too many protein bars and shakes. That is not the best way to get healthy protein.
• Vitamin D is important, too. Actually calcium needs vitamin D to help it travel to the bones and where it is needed. Sunshine helps the body to produce vitamin D but that requires too much time in the sun so supplement with the following foods: Fatty fish such as mackerel, salmon, sardines and herring. Soy milk, yogurt, and egg yolks also contain vitamin D. Since the list of foods rich in vitamin D is slim you may need to discuss a vitamin D supplement with your doctor.
• Magnesium is also beneficial in preventing and fighting osteoporosis. Magnesium helps the body absorb calcium to help maintain a strong bone structure. Magnesium is found in seeds such as pumpkin, sesame, and flax, brown rice, Swiss chard, spinach, sweet potatoes, beans, wheat germ, etc.

This is a short list of foods that will help you prevent or slow down osteoporosis. There are more but if you make a point of including several of the above foods in your daily diet you will be well on your way to preventing this bone disease.

MELONS AND OTHER FRUITS FOR OSTEOPOROSIS

If you have been diagnosed with osteoporosis or want to protect your bones from it, consider adding more fruit to your diet.  Fruits contain potassium which is important in protecting bones.  To keep your bones healthy be sure your diet includes honeydew and cantaloupe melons, bananas, plums, prunes, raisins, and other fruits.  What a tasty healthy tip!