Why should I drink milk during menopause? To prevent osteoporosis, of course!

There's calcium in milk? Really? O.K., so not something you didn't already know, but do you know why your body needs calcium? Or did you know that osteoporosis literally means "porous bones?" If you are going through menopause, bone loss is something you should become very familiar with, as 80% of osteoporosis cases are classified as postmenopausal women. This is most generally attributed to the decline in the amount of estrogen production around this time.

Calcium is not the only nutrient necessary for healthy bones. Vitamin D is becoming more and more recommended by doctors and the tryptophan in milk helps you fall asleep at night. There may be better sources of calcium out there, but for women trying to prevent osteoporosis, few prove to pack the triumvirate of power milk does!. Paired with bone-strengthening exercise and adequate rest, milk drinking women could be on their way to a lower risk of bone fracture in later life.

Calcium

Calcium is important for preventing bone loss, which can lead to little things like a broken hip. Your teeth and bones contain 99% of your calcium, the other 1% in your blood and other tissues. Your body gets calcium in two ways:

1. From food, drink, and supplements.

2. From your bones.

That means, if you don't consume enough calcium, your blood will steal calcium from your bones causing them to weaken. It is debated whether or not milk is the best source of calcium, especially with the advent of nutrient fortification. But, a 2005 study conducted in Berkley, California suggests that 75% of the calcium added to products like soy milk or orange juice, stays at the bottom of the carton and never actually makes it to your body.

Vitamin D

Vitamin D helps in the absorption of calcium. If your blood is lacking the calcium level it requires, vitamin D is turned into its active form and promotes absorption of calcium in the intestines, and helps minimize calcium escape in the kidneys.

Studies show that calcium intake may be not nearly as effective if not taken alongside Vitamin D.

Tryptophan and Lactium

Getting appropriate exercise does nothing for your body if it is not also given time to rest. For women experiencing menopause, getting quality sleep can be a problem all in its own.

You don't have to cook a thanksgiving meal to feel sleepy. A glass of milk contains tryptophan, the same substance in turkey we think of as the "nap inducer."

Tryptophan may not be the miracle sleep aid we've all conjured in our heads, but a glass of warm milk may help you fall asleep if done routinely. Not only does the lactium in milk lull infants to sleep, it has been shown that people associate warm milk at bedtime with being tucked in by their mothers as children, creating a comfortable mood for falling asleep.

Recommendation for consuming red grapes

If you are entering the transition of menopause, it's time to start seriously considering bone loss prevention. Osteoporosis should be a concern throughout your lifetime, so encourage your children to drink milk and be aware of bone health from a young age. Click the following link to read more information about treatments for osteoporosis.

To learn more about Osteoporosis