You may wonder why more women than men suffer osteoporosis and fractures as they age, especially in the United States.  This is not true for all cultures.  Here are some speculations about possible causes:

• The American woman’s obsession with thinness often leads to an inadequate, bone-robbing diet.  Losing too much weight too fast and having insufficient body fat can cause bone loss.
• Nutritional surveys have shown that compared to those of men, the diets of older women are more likely to be lower in calcium.  For example, one survey found that one-half of American women over fifty consume less than 1,500 milligrams of calcium a day, the recommended daily allowance of calcium in women that age.
• Strong muscles build strong bones to support them.  The fact that most women spend less time than men do on strength-building exercises may account for their weaker bones.

One of the best food sources for improving bone health is Wild sockeye salmon. Wild sockeye salmon contains nearly 1,200 units of vitamin D per six-ounce serving, as well as being the richest source of bone-building omega-3 fats.  Other kinds of seafood contain less, but seafood is still your best dietary source of vitamin D.  Seafood also contains calcium and many other bone-building vitamins and minerals.  Nori, a dried seafood vegetable used to wrap sushi, is also rich in bone-building nutrients, such as vitamin K.  Dr. Sears’ top choice for delicious and nutritious seafood: www.vitalchoice.com