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G16 - April 2006 - Vitamin D and Osteoporosis
Intro: Drink milk or take a calcium supplement for strong bones. No doubt you've heard that on TV or from your doctor. It's true that you can develop osteoporosis if you don't get enough calcium. But did you know that no matter how much calcium you take, it won't do a bit of good if you don't get enough vitamin D? More from Mayo Clinic.
| Video | Audio |
| Total running time 1:37 | HEALTHY LIVING IS A WAY OF LIFE FOR 56-YEAR-OLD CAROL CARLSON. |
Carol Carlson |
"I WAS A RUNNER. I PARTICIPATED IN SEVEN MARATHONS." |
| CAROL KEEPS FIT BY EXERCISING AND TAKING SUPPLEMENTS SUCH AS CALCIUM FOR STRONG BONES. | |
| Carol Carlson | "I SUPPLEMENT THAT WITH MILK AND YOGURT." |
| BUT A NASTY BROKEN BONE REVEALED THAT CAROL'S BONES WERE NOT BENEFITING FROM ALL THAT CALCIUM. | |
Carol Carlson |
"I FELL. I TRIPPED. A SIMPLE FALL, BUT I LANDED HARD ON MY RIGHT SIDE." |
| A BROKEN FEMUR - HER THIGH BONE. | |
| Carol Carlson | "IT WAS VERY PAINFUL." |
| WHY WERE CAROL'S BONES GETTING WEAK EVEN THOUGH SHE DILIGENTLY TOOK CALCIUM? ORTHOPEDIC SURGEON DR. MARY O'CONNOR SAYS CAROL'S BODY DIDN'T ABSORB THE CALCIUM BECAUSE SHE DIDN'T HAVE ENOUGH VITAMIN D. | |
Mary O'Connor, M.D. |
"IF WE DON'T HAVE VITAMIN D, THEN WE CAN'T GET THE CALCIUM INTO OUR SYSTEM TO HELP STREGNTHEN OUR BONES." |
| From Dr. O'Connor to animation | YOU SEE, VITAMIN D ACTS AS A GUIDE FOR CALCIUM IN YOUR BODY. VITAMIN D TELLS YOUR BODY TO ABSORB THE CALCIUM FROM THE FOOD YOU EAT. ONLY THEN CAN IT GET INTO YOUR BONES TO HELP STRENGTHEN THEM. |
Standup To graphics:
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AND YOU CAN GET VITAMIN D IN SEVERAL WAYS. BY SPENDING 10 MINUTES A DAY IN THE SUN, OR BY EATING FISH, EGGS AND FORTIFIED MILK. BUT THE MOST EFFECTIVE WAY IS TO TAKE VITAMIN D SUPPLEMENTS EVERY DAY. THE RECOMMENDED DOSAGES ARE 200 TO 400 MG FOR MEN AND WOMEN UNDER 50 AND 400 TO 600 MG FOR WOMEN OVER 50. |
| AND CAROL KNOWS THAT IN ADDITION TO TAKING CALCIUM AND VITAMIN D, WEIGHT-BEARING EXERCISES, LIKE SPEED WALKING, WILL HELP KEEP HER BONES STRONG AND PREVENT BREAKS IN THE FUTURE. | |
| FOR MEDICAL EDGE, I'M VIVIEN WILLIAMS. | |
Tag: Carol has also learned that not only will vitamin D and calcium help strengthen her bones, it may also improve neuromuscular function. That means her balance is better and she will less likely fall and risk another break.
Dr. O'Connor says that healthy bones begin in childhood. Make sure your kids get enough calcium. And it's not just women who need to take calcium and vitamin D. Men should too. For more information on bone health, log on to our Web site at ...
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