Search Results for: blog who is at risk for calcium deficiency

Calcium for Canines

Strong teeth. Strong bones. Calcium isn’t just good for humans — it can be good for our four-legged friends, too. If you’re making your own dog food, you should be concerned about calcium. Dogs with a calcium deficiency may show signs of lameness or have an increased risk of fractures. And yes, dogs can develop osteoporosis! So how do you make sure your dog gets enough calcium in his or her diet? Raw (uncooked) meaty bones contain lots of calcium. Not feeding raw? That’s okay — try ground/powdered bone meal. You can also cook bones until they’re soft enough to … Continue reading →

Who Is at Risk for Calcium Deficiency?

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Certain types of people may be at higher risk of calcium deficiency than others. They may need extra calcium in their diets (or in supplement form) in order to prevent a deficiency. Postmenopausal women may be at higher risk for calcium deficiency. During menopause, many women experience increased bone loss — most rapidly during the first five years. Why is this? As the body produces less estrogen, the body absorbs less calcium and creates less new bone. Combination hormone therapy (estrogen and progestin) can help prevent osteoporosis and fractures, but comes with a whole bunch of potential side effects. Estrogen … Continue reading →

Selenium and Health Issues

Selenium is a trace mineral — a mineral your body needs in small amounts as compared to macrominerals (like iron and calcium) that your body needs in large amounts. But even a trace mineral can have a big impact on your health. Selenium deficiency is often seen in places where concentrations of selenium in the soil are low — like China, and parts of Russia. Studies have shown that selenium deficiency may contribute to a host of health issues, including heart disease, thyroid issues, and a weakened immune system. Researchers believe that a selenium deficiency doesn’t usually cause illness by … Continue reading →

Is Your Toddler Getting Enough Vitamin D?

Probably not… at least according to medical experts. A new study published in the Archives of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine reveals that at least 40% of American infants and toddlers aren’t getting enough vitamin D. What’s more, the study also found that there has been an increase in the number of rickets (a vitamin D deficiency disease) cases in several states in the last few years. Doctors say millions of American children are vitamin D deficient and that number is likely to increase if parents don’t start adjusting their kids’ diet or modifying their schedules to allow toddlers to spend … Continue reading →

The Importance of Vitamin D in Pregnancy

Vitamin D is an important nutrient in pregnancy for the growth and development of the baby’s bones and teeth. In addition, vitamin D aids in the absorption of calcium and phosphates. Proper nutrition during pregnancy, including adequate vitamin D, may help lower the risk of pre-eclampsia. In fact, not getting enough vitamin D during pregnancy can cause problems for mom and baby. A study in the UK showed that mothers who were given a supplement of vitamin D during pregnancy had children with greater bone mineral density. Children were followed and their bone density checked at nine years of age. … Continue reading →

Treating Oxalate Crystals

Struvite crystals used to be the most common urinary crystal by far. Diets were developed to minimize the risk of developing struvite crystals; this did decrease the number of cases of struvite crystals, but increased the incidence of oxalate crystals. Struvite crystals are still the most common type, but calcium oxalate has closed the gap in the last twenty years. If your cat has oxalate crystals, treatment can include: Balancing urine pH. Calcium oxalate stones are more likely to form in urine that is acidic. The recommended pH level for feline urine is between 6 and 6.5. A more acidic … Continue reading →

Nocturnal Leg Cramps

Have you ever had a leg cramp wake you out of a sound sleep? Not the best way to wake up! Why does this happen sometimes? Even when we sleep, our bodies are still in motion. We roll over, we fight for the blankets, we stretch. (Just watch a dog’s feet twitch in his sleep if you don’t believe me!) During all this motion, our muscles contract. If a muscle doesn’t relax again — and stays contracted — you can end up with one of those sudden cramps. At least you don’t HAVE to suffer with nighttime leg cramps. Here … Continue reading →

Healthy Yogurt

Yogurt has a good reputation — and for a lot of good reasons. It is full of healthy calcium, stomach-friendly probiotics, and can taste as good as a sinful snack! Here are some tips to help you pick the healthiest yogurt: Choose yogurt that has 200 calories or less per serving. Yogurt is mostly milk, and one cup of fat-free milk has less than 90 calories. Don’t let the other ingredients overload you on calories! Choose yogurt that has four grams of fat or less. The total fat contact can often indicate what kind of milk was used in making … Continue reading →

Magnesium and Health Issues

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Magnesium is an essential mineral for good health. Research has suggested that it may play a role in managing major health issues! Magnesium and blood pressure: a clinical study called DASH (Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension) found that high blood pressure could be lowered with a diet heavy in fruits, veggies, and low-fat dairy. That kind of diet is high in minerals like calcium, magnesium, and potassium. It’s hard to see the effects of magnesium alone — it is often present in foods that are high in fiber and potassium, too. But the Joint National Committee on Prevention, Detection, Evaluation, … Continue reading →

What Is a Stress Fracture?

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After my mysterious foot pain while walking the dogs, I was afraid I might have a stress fracture in my right foot. I’m pretty sure I just stepped wrong, but I’m still curious about stress fractures. A stress fracture is an overuse injury. In a normal fracture, a sudden, high force event (like a fall) breaks the bone. In a stress fracture, the forces involved are lower but happen repeatedly for a long period of time. You could also call a stress fracture a “fatigue fracture”. They are most often seen in athletes who run and jump on hard surfaces. … Continue reading →