Dietary Supplements For Osteoporosis

Osteoporosis is a degenerative condition characterized by gradual loss of bone density, which increases your risk of fractures, particularly in your wrists, hips and the vertebrae of your spine. This condition affects about 10 million people in the United States, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center. Dietary supplements cannot cure osteoporosis; however, they may slow or stop the progression of this condition.
Talk to your physician before taking any supplement to address osteoporosis.

Calcium

Calcium, a mineral necessary for maintaining bone health, helps your body rebuild healthy bone cells. Women under age 50 and men under age 65 should consume 1,200 mg of calcium per day, according to Phyllis Balch, author of "Prescription for Nutritional Healing." Women over age 50 and men over age 65 should consume 1,500 mg to 2,000 mg per day. However, consult your physician before taking calcium supplements -- high consumption of calcium may increase the risk of prostate cancer in men.

Vitamin D

Vitamin D is necessary for the absorption of calcium from supplements and food sources. Your body manufactures vitamin D when your skin is exposed to the sun's rays. It is also available in food sources such as eggs and fortified dairy products. However, you may need vitamin D supplements to improve calcium absorption, particularly if you are a vegan or spend most of your time indoors. The National Osteoporosis Foundation recommends a daily intake of 400 to 800 IU of vitamin D for adults under age 50, and 800 to 1,000 IU for adults over age 50. Talk to your doctor before taking vitamin D supplements. Taking more than 1,000 IU per day may cause bone loss instead of helping your body build healthy bone cells, according to Balch.

Red Clover

Red clover is an herb originally used by traditional Chinese healers as an expectorant for colds and bronchitis. However, red clover supplements may slow the progression of osteoporosis, particularly during menopause. Red clover contains isoflavones that mimic the activity of estrogen, which inhibits the degradation of bone mass, according to Balch. Talk to your doctor before taking red clover supplements to address osteoporosis. This herb may increase your risk of internal blood clots, which can cause stroke and heart attack. Also, as with most herbs, there is no established daily intake recommendation for red clover.

Vitamin K

Vitamin K is known for its role in promoting blood clotting, which helps prevent excess bleeding from cuts, scrapes and surgical wounds. This vitamin K also helps your body bind calcium to bone to prevent loss of bone density, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center. Consuming 150 mcg to 200 mcg of vitamin K per day may help slow or stop the progression of osteoporosis.