Is Nutrition the Missing Ingredient for Stronger Bones?

By James Bennett | December 19, 2019 |

Weakened bones, usually from osteoporosis, can be a scary diagnosis to get from your senior’s doctor. It means she’s more susceptible to broken bones, especially if she should fall. But eating the right foods can help her to strengthen her bones.

Homecare Easley SC – Is Nutrition the Missing Ingredient for Stronger Bones?

Exercise Definitely Helps, but Food Can, Too

Exercise strengthens not only your senior’s muscles, but also her bones. Most doctors recommend weight-bearing exercise to their patients who either have osteoporosis or who are susceptible to it. Your elderly family member’s doctor can let you know how much exercise is right for her. The added benefit to exercise is that your senior may start to crave healthier foods if she’s moving more.

She May Need More Calcium

Calcium has always been the mineral that most people talk about in terms of healthy bones. It’s in milk as well as dark, leafy greens. It’s also in healthy fatty foods, like nuts and fish. Your senior’s body uses calcium as a building block to help keep her bones strong, among other things. Your senior’s doctor might recommend that she takes a calcium supplement as well as eating foods that are high in calcium content.

Vitamin D Works with Calcium

But calcium is only part of the story. Doctors are starting to understand more about how vitamin D works in the body to tackle a variety of issues, bone health among them. Vitamin D helps calcium to absorb better and can help to preserve bone mass. Dietary sources of vitamin D include fatty fish, egg yolks, and dairy products. Going outside in the sun for a few minutes a day can help your senior’s body to make vitamin D. Her doctor may recommend supplementation if her vitamin D levels are low.

Meal Preparation May Be the Problem

The biggest barrier, besides understanding what nutrients can help the most with bone health, might be that cooking and preparing meals can be exhausting for your senior. That’s often the biggest reason for older adults to rely on convenience foods and meals that may not be comprised of the healthiest ingredients. Bringing homecare providers into the picture can change all of that. Homecare providers can cook for your senior and clean up, making eating healthy, bone-strengthening meals easy and delicious.

This can all feel like a big change for your senior. Try introducing healthier meal options slowly to get her used to the idea. Over time she’ll be feeling stronger than ever.

If you or an aging loved-one are considering hiring Homecare Services in Easley SC, please contact the caring staff at Upstate Home Care Solutions today. Call (864) 527-0455.

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James Bennett

Owner at Upsate Home Care Solutions

James Bennett is a native of Taylors, SC. A graduate of Riverside High School, he attended Clemson University where he earned a Bachelor of Science in Packing Science. Upon graduation, he commenced on a career path in food manufacturing with Nestle Frozen Foods (1999 – 2008) and Country Fresh, Inc. (2008 – 2011). When James was only 12, his father, at the age of 37, was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis (MS).With both an ailing father and a grandmother suffering from several medical conditions, James Bennett and his family were able to unify and provide their loved ones with the home care they needed. Their family structure and consistent schedule were key aspects in providing care. Unfortunately, not all families have the structure, resources, or flexibility to provide the home care their loved one desires. James understands the difficulties families and caregivers encounter while providing and caring for loved ones. A loving son, husband, and father who understands the need to help families, James created Upstate Home Health Care Solutions, LLC in 2011 to fill in the gap for families who need caring individuals to assist with a loved one’s home care needs.

• Greenville Chamber of Commerce Minority Business of the Year 2017
• Greenville Chamber of Commerce Minority Business Accelerator (MBA) Program participant 2017
• Greenville Chamber of Commerce MBA Excellence Award Recipient 2017
• Featured on the cover Upstate Business Journal June 2016
• Community Works Economic Impact Award 2016
• Board Member of Ten at the Top (TATT) and Fire Pit Ranch (FPR)
• Member of Upstate Senior Network, Greenville & Spartanburg Chapters
• Member of the Healthcare division of the Greenville Chamber of Commerce
• Member of the Better Business Bureau
• Staff member of Palmetto Boys State sponsored by the American Legion
• Member of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity Inc.