Abstract: Calcium loss is serious in the elderly. Calcium deficiency is very common among the elderly. If calcium is not supplemented in time, they are prone to osteoporosis. When it comes to calcium supplementation, the first thing people think of is taking calcium tablets. So what kind of calcium tablets are good for the elderly? Which calcium tablet is best for the elderly? There are two main types of calcium tablets, organic calcium and inorganic calcium. The elderly should choose organic calcium. Calcium lactate, calcium gluconate, calcium citrate, calcium acetate, calcium fructolate, etc. are all organic calcium. 1. What kind of calcium tablets are good for the elderly?
Calcium deficiency is a recognized factor in osteoporosis. Generally, the elderly cannot absorb a sufficient amount of calcium due to reduced intestinal absorption capacity, so they need additional supplements. Calcium supplements can meet the body's nutritional needs for calcium.
At present, calcium supplements are mainly divided into inorganic acid calcium salts and organic acid calcium salts. It is best to choose calcium tablets for the elderly that contain organic acid calcium salts, that is, organic calcium, because organic calcium It is more beneficial to the gastrointestinal absorption of the elderly, so it is suitable for use by the elderly. The organic calcium tablets currently on the market mainly include calcium lactate, calcium gluconate, calcium citrate, calcium acetate, calcium fructolate, etc., while the inorganic calcium tablets mainly include calcium carbonate, calcium phosphate, calcium chloride, calcium oxide, and calcium hydroxide. , calcium phosphate, etc. Although the calcium content of inorganic calcium acid is higher than that of organic calcium acid, its solubility is low and it is irritating to the gastrointestinal tract. In addition, the elderly have poor gastrointestinal function and are prone to stomach pain after eating this kind of inorganic calcium. , nausea, heartburn and other symptoms.
2. Which calcium tablets are better for the elderly
1. Calcium tablets contain vitamin D
The calcium tablets purchased by the elderly must add vitamin D. Vitamin D can promote the absorption of calcium. If there is a lack of vitamin D, the absorption rate of calcium is only 10.
2. Pay attention to calcium content
The daily calcium intake of the elderly is 1,000 mg. Subtracting the daily calcium intake from food, you can roughly know how much calcium you need to supplement in a day. When the elderly buy calcium tablets, it is best to check the calcium content of the tablets, and according to their own needs, they can choose the calcium tablets that are most suitable for them under the guidance of a doctor.
3. Pay attention to the brand
There are many brands of calcium tablets on the market. The quality of calcium tablets varies greatly, and the prices also vary greatly. It is recommended that children choose calcium tablets for the elderly. Buy some well-known domestic brands of calcium tablets, or buy imported calcium tablets from abroad, so as to ensure safety and quality.
4. Highly targeted
There are many kinds of calcium tablets, so calcium tablets for the elderly should mainly target common diseases of the elderly, such as backache, calf spasm, and osteoporosis. And bone hyperplasia, osteomalacia, various fractures, hypertension, cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases, diabetes, etc. The more targeted, the more effective it will be.
3. Precautions for calcium supplementation in the elderly
1. Pay attention to exercise
Physical exercise can deposit calcium into bones and prevent osteoporosis. For people who lack physical exercise, even if they supplement calcium, the calcium is mostly free in the blood, and then part of it is excreted through urine, making it difficult for it to enter the bones.
In addition, physical exercise can also be exposed to the sun. The ultraviolet rays in the sun can turn dehydrocholesterol in the skin into vitamin D, which helps the absorption and utilization of calcium. Therefore, when supplementing calcium, you should appropriately add some calcium supplements. physical exercise or manual labor.
2. Get rid of bad habits
Smoking and drinking, irregular life, long-term fatigue or mental stress, endocrinology and gastrointestinal diseases, these factors are also not conducive to the absorption and utilization of calcium.
3. Drink less coffee and tea
Caffeine antagonizes the absorption of calcium; tea contains tannic acid that reacts with calcium to form calcium salts that are not easily hydrated, affecting calcium absorption. Eating calcium can also increase vitamin D. Vitamin D helps the absorption of calcium in the body. If necessary, you can increase sun exposure. Exposure to more sun is also beneficial to calcium absorption.
4. Pay attention to the timing of calcium supplementation, and it is best to take it after meals
Because gastric acid secretion is at its fullest after a meal, and the absorption rate of calcium is highest in an acidic environment. Eating within 1-2 hours is beneficial to calcium absorption.
However, try not to drink strong tea, alcohol, or eat raw vegetables before and after taking calcium tablets. These foods contain things that cause calcium loss and can form calcium oxalate crystals, which not only makes it difficult to absorb calcium, but also easily forms stones. The best time is to take it in the morning for better results. After taking it in the morning, it can produce vitamin D through the skin's sunlight and promote the absorption of calcium.
5. Use small amounts and multiple times.
When the human body consumes less than or equal to 50 mg of calcium each time, the absorption rate of calcium is the highest. Therefore, when supplementing calcium, it is best to take it in small amounts and multiple times. This can ensure that calcium is supplemented at many times during the day. If you take a lot at one time, a large amount of unabsorbed calcium will be wasted.
6. Chew it and take it
After chewing the medicine, the surface area of ??the tablet will increase, which is beneficial to the absorption of calcium.
7. Adequate sleep
If you want to effectively supplement calcium, the elderly should pay attention to sleep problems. Adequate sleep is an effective measure to increase the speed of calcium absorption by the body.
Many people usually stay up late. When they don’t get enough sleep, the body’s absorption of calcium will slow down. In this way, the calcium cannot be used by the body, and calcium deficiency will also occur. Therefore, elderly people who want to effectively supplement calcium should ensure adequate sleep time.
8. Drink more water when supplementing calcium
Part of the absorption rate of calcium comes from the solubility of calcium. Drinking more water can improve the solubility of calcium to a certain extent. Therefore, the absorption rate of calcium can be improved to a certain extent.
9. Seek medical treatment in time
For patients who have already developed symptoms of osteoporosis, it is recommended to go to the hospital in time to avoid delaying the condition and leading to serious consequences.