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Will Taking Calcium Or Milk Help Prevent Bone Loss?

Posted on Mon, 21 Apr 2014

Question: Hi doctor, I am a male, 57 years old. My height is 1.62 m and weight is 65 kg. I am a sleep apnea patient. At my age, I understand that my height is fixed. My height will not increase or decrease. What about bone loss for my age? At what age will I encounter bone loss? I mean my height will decrease in future or now. Will taking calcium or milk helps to prevent bone loss? Thanks

Answered by Dr. Dr. Naveen Kumar Sharma (43 minutes later)

Brief Answer: You will never lose your height Detailed Answer: Hello XXXX I can understand your concern about your bone loss. I want to assure you that you will never lose your height. So do not be worried about this. Bone loss can occur in old age and it is called senile osteoporosis. Bone loss starts above 50 years of age due to senile osteoporosis. So there is chance of bone loss in you. Taking milk and other milk products like curd, butter milk helps in preventing bone loss. But still there is need of some drugs. I Would recommend you following: 1. Do light exercise daily like walking in park, swimming. 2. Take calcium and vitamin D3 (calcitriol) daily one tablet. 3. Take Osteofos tablet once a week Let me know if you want to ask any thing else regarding this. Thanks and take care.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Shanthi.E

Follow up: Dr. Dr. Naveen Kumar Sharma (24 minutes later)

Hi Dr XXXXXXX you mentioned that I will not lose my height at 57 years old. You also mentioned that bone loss starts above 50 years of age. Has the bone loss got to do with height? Thanks

Answered by Dr. Dr. Naveen Kumar Sharma (12 minutes later)

Brief Answer: Bone loss is not height loss Detailed Answer: Hello sir, When there is bone loss , there is no change in length of the bone, rather bone becomes more spongy and brittle. Your height will not going to change but bone loss causes weakness, joint pain and increase chance of fractures. Bones become so week that fracture can occur even with a slightest fall or trauma. I would recommend you to take milk, calcium , vitamin D3 for good and healthy bone. I hope now you will not have any doubt about bone loss. Let me know if you have any other query. Thanks .

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Shanthi.E

Follow up: Dr. Dr. Naveen Kumar Sharma (57 minutes later)

Thanks Dr XXXXXXX One final question, please. I am presntly taking calcium and glucosamine. Is vitamin D3 necessary to prevent bone loss? Thanks

Answered by Dr. Dr. Naveen Kumar Sharma (1 hour later)

Brief Answer: Calcium is of no use without vit D3 Detailed Answer: I would suggest you to take vitamin D3 also as without this calcium will not absorb, so take calcium also. You can discontinue glucosamine as it does not has any proven advantage in osteoporosis. I hope you are satisfied with my answers. Please write a review. It was my pleasure to help you. Thanks.

Note: For further queries, consult a joint and bone specialist, an Orthopaedic surgeon. Book a Call now.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Vaishalee Punj