Osteoporosis is a serious condition that can lead to chronic pain and disabling fractures, but unlike conditions such as Parkinson's disease and multiple sclerosis, osteoporosis can be prevented and reversed in some cases. Reversing osteoporosis requires a multidisciplinary approach that includes getting enough calcium. If you are being treated for osteoporosis, speak with a health care provider about how much you need based on other risk factors that might be present.
Calcium and Bone Health
Throughout life your bones go through a constant process of breaking down old bone and replacing it with new bone. With age, bones start to be broken down faster than they are replaced and if too much bone is lost, osteoporosis can develop. To keep bones strong it is important to make healthy lifestyle choices, including getting enough calcium. Food is the best source of calcium and getting adequate amounts is not that hard, as many foods contain calcium, says the International Osteoporosis Foundation. However, in some cases a physician might recommend calcium supplements such as calcium carbonate to help slow the progression of or reverse osteoporosis, but calcium is just one piece of the puzzle.
Calcium Carbonate
Calcium comes in many forms, including carbonate, citrate and phosphate. When choosing a calcium supplement to help reverse osteoporosis, it is important to understand how well and how much of the calcium you are taking is being absorbed. Every product should list the amount of elemental calcium it has. Elemental calcium refers to the amount the body actually absorbs. Two calcium carbonate products might contain very different levels of elemental calcium, so it is important to read the label. In addition, while calcium citrate can be absorbed on an empty stomach, calcium carbonate needs a more acidic environment, so it must be taken with food, notes the Osteoporosis and Related Bone Diseases website. Adding to the above, all types of calcium are absorbed better when taken in doses of 500 mg or less at one time. When using calcium carbonate, all of the above must be taken into consideration to make sure your body is getting the calcium it needs to rebuild your bones.
Vitamin D and Lifestyle Habits
Getting the right amount of calcium is an essential component of an overall plan to reverse osteoporosis, but even if you take enough calcium carbonate, your bone strength might not improve if you do not get enough vitamin D, you are sedentary, smoke, drink too much alcohol, take medications that interfere with calcium absorption or have an underlying medical condition that contributes to frail bones, reports the National Osteoporosis Foundation. Getting enough calcium alone is not always enough to reverse osteoporosis or improve bone health. Vitamin D must be present for the bones to absorb the calcium and you need weight-bearing exercise to stimulate bone growth. In addition, your physician might need to review any other medical conditions you have or medications you are be taking that can inhibit bone growth.
Osteoporosis Medication
For you and your doctor to decide if lifestyle changes such as taking calcium carbonate are enough to reverse your osteoporosis, you must know how severe your osteoporosis is. If you are experiencing just a small amount of bone loss, lifestyle changes might be enough. If you have a significant amount of bone loss and a high risk of fractures, you might need medication along with calcium carbonate. According to the National Institutes of Health, medications called bisphosphonates have been shown to slow or stop bone loss and can even rebuild new bone. In some cases it might be necessary to take medication for a time to improve bone strength and then the medication can be discontinued. Since each case is different, having regular bone density tests can help to determine if your treatment approach is working.
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