Top 5 foods for managing osteoporosis

When the body fails to replace older bone tissues with newer ones, it leads to osteoporosis. It is a condition that results in weak and brittle bones. Osteoporosis increases the risk of bone fractures and is often diagnosed late due to limited symptoms. So, it is important to look after your nutritional requirements to maintain bone health to avoid any health complications. To help you, here are the top five foods for managing osteoporosis.

Nuts
Nuts are a convenient and tasty remedy that also enhances the effect of bone density supplements for osteoporosis. You should include an assortment of almonds, walnuts, pistachios, pine nuts in your daily snacks. Nuts are replete with minerals like calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, and manganese, ensuring bone health.

Milk
Milk and milk products are superfoods that strengthen bone density. The recommended intake of dairy products is three servings a day. However, low-fat or skimmed milk is better as they contain less fat. Alternatively, soy milk and products are also good sources of calcium.

Fatty fish
Fatty fish include options like tuna, mackerel, salmon, and more. They are rich sources of omega-3 fatty acids, antioxidants, vitamins A, C, D, and E and are high in protein content. This makes them a great addition to the plates of osteoporosis patients. The vitamin D found in these fish helps improve the body’s calcium absorption, resulting in improved bone health.

Fortified foods
For people that avoid dairy and dairy products, it can get tricky to get the required amount of calcium and vitamin D from food. In such instances, patients are advised to include fortified foods in their meals. This can include having a bowl of fortified cereal at breakfast with plant milk. Alternatives include fortified juices, vitamin D-rich pasta, and bread.

Protein-rich foods
Protein is crucial for the body to perform basic functions as well as help in the repair of damaged cells. Foods rich in protein like lentils, eggs, chicken, meat, and fish help fulfill the body’s protein requirement. They also increase the calcium absorption capacity of the body, leading to healthier bones.

Apart from using food to prevent and manage osteoporosis symptoms, some other treatment options are also employed.

Forteo®
Forteo is a teriparatide-containing injectable option, especially used to treat osteoporosis caused by steroid use, menopause, and/or gonadal failure. They work as a bone density supplement, strengthening bones and preventing fractures.