[fr1endly2]

Post-op Life is a Gift... Protect Your Bones! A new Rutgers University analysis has found that cutting calories could hurt your bones. In fact, after just 6 months of trying to drop weight, research subjects' bones were up to 3% less dense. 'Most dieters have no idea that their skeletons may be losing weight, too,' says Sue Shapes, PhD, RD, a Rutgers nutrition researcher. 'Calorie cutting causes shifts in three hormones-parathyroid, estrogen, and cortisol - that may make it harder for your body to absorb calcium from food and supplements.' Bone-rescuing tips:

- Know your calcium goal. The recommended daily goal is 1000-1200mg, but women over age 50 should aim for at least 1500 to offset lower absorption rates while reducing calories.

- Think food. If possible include servings of these calcium foods every day: fat free milk (8 ounces, 285mg calcium) and low fat yogurt (6 ounces, 243mg calcium). Add one or two supplements containing 500mg each of calcium citrate, the best absorbed form to hit your goal.

We have to protect our bones for all the years of life we have left to LIVE! Plus remember that there is also research that links calcium rich foods to increased weight loss.

[Kat]

Thanks for the heads up.