9/21/2007
You’ve probably been told you need to drink more milk or take a calcium supplement. So what is the recommended daily dose? Well, it depends on your age. But women 19-50 should consume around 1,000 milligrams a day. Women over 50 should increase that to 1,200 milligrams a day. And keep in mind that Calcium should always be taken with vitamin D, because vitamin D is necessary for the body to absorb calcium.
To prevent kidney stones, doctors recommend increasing urine volume by drinking plenty of fluids–in fact, up to two to three liters a day. Water is always a good choice; it’s plentiful, inexpensive and zero calories per serving. But here’s another alternative. Studies show that individuals who drink coffee and beer have a decreased risk of kidney stones. Also, one study found that orange juice was better than other citrus juices such as lemonade in raising levels of citrate in the urine and reducing the formation of stones.Dr
For more health news or to find a physician, call St. John’s Referral One at 625-2000 or log onto stj.com.
