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WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind., Aug 17, 2005 (United Press International via COMTEX) -- A Purdue University study suggests women taking oral contraceptives can counteract bone loss by making sure they get enough calcium in their daily diet.
Earlier research indicated optimizing bone mass in adolescence and young adulthood prevents low bone density and osteoporosis later in life. On the other hand, researchers noted oral contraceptives appear to decrease bone density.
"It's estimated eight out of 10 women in the United States use oral contraceptives at some time during the years in which peak bone mass is developing," said Dorothy Teegarden, assistant professor in Purdue's Department of Foods and Nutrition. "The results of our study suggest the loss for this group can be prevented by increasing calcium intake."
According to the National Academy of Sciences, the recommended dietary allowance of calcium for women age 19 to 50 is 1,000 milligrams a day. The recommended daily allowance of calcium for adolescents age 9 to 18 is 1,300 milligrams daily.
The 12-month study, funded by the American Dairy Association/National Dairy Council, appeared in the July issue of Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism.
Copyright 2005 by United Press International.
