How to care for the bones

CARE OF THE BONES In addition to the measures just mentioned to help protect the spinal disks, and precautions against accidents, proper nutrition is extremely important for bone health. Vitamin D is essential for bone production, and other vitamins are required to nourish the bone marrow. These are to be obtained in a balanced diet. Calcium, too, is vital. Most of the calcium in the body is in the bones, but calcium is also needed for muscle contraction, for heartbeat, and for blood clotting. In a remark- able automatic process, when the amount of calcium immediately avail- able for the heart and other parts of the body falls below a certain level, some of the calcium from bone is carried by the blood to these areas.

This is normal and healthy, but it underscores the need for adequate intake of calcium to maintain the bone stores. Milk contains plentiful amounts of calcium, which is one reason why it is such a basic item in the diet of growing children and in pregnant and nursing mothers. All through life there is need for adequate calcium intake, and this can be assured by a balanced diet. Calcium is contained in many food items. It is plentiful in dairy foods such as cheeses and in skim or fat-free as well as whole milk. After the menopause, bones in women need special care.