When a bone is broken, of course, it has to be replaced; and since bones are mainly composed of calcium, it is only logical that calcium should be replaced after a fracture. So, a variety of calcium supplementation methods are on the scene. Bone soup is the most common method, in addition, drink milk, eat calcium tablets can not be missing.
But, is it really beneficial to make up calcium in a hurry after a fracture?
Two weeks after the fracture, then supplement calcium
After a fracture has to go to be supplemented with calcium, but not in too much of a hurry. Two weeks after the fracture belongs to the acute period, the fracture end will release a large amount of free calcium salts, plus the limb must be fixed after the fracture, increasing the disuse decalcification of the support. At this time, if the artificially large amount of calcium supplementation, the amount of calcium in the body will exceed the body’s needs, which will inevitably increase the burden of excretion of the kidneys. In addition, patients with fractures have reduced water intake and urination because of the difficulty in moving around, and large amounts of calcium supplementation may even cause kidney stones.
Furthermore, the early regeneration of bone mainly relies on the role of periosteum and bone marrow, and bone marrow can only function better under the condition of increasing bone collagen. If a large amount of calcium is ingested within a short period of time after a fracture, it will increase the inorganic component in the bone and the organic to inorganic ratio will be out of balance, which in turn will hinder the early healing of the fracture.
Therefore, it is best not to take any additional calcium supplements within two weeks of the fracture. After two weeks of fracture, the local redness and swelling subsides, the calcium in the body gradually starts to form bone scabs and the fracture end heals, then it is the right time for calcium supplementation.
Calcium supplementation for fractures should be accompanied by medicine and food
For fracture patients with obvious osteoporosis, in principle, the above drugs (i.e. various calcium supplements) are the mainstay, supplemented by dietary adjustments (i.e. dietary supplements).
However, there are many calcium supplements, so which one is better to choose?
In fact, calcium carbonate, calcium lactate, calcium gluconate and calcium acetate are all similar. Although their solubility outside the human body is different, the absorption rate in the human body is not much different. Since calcium supplements are to be supplemented in accordance with daily needs and in a fine stream, you can choose on your own by combining the cost and effect, or according to your doctor’s advice.
Dietary supplement is relatively simple, milk, yogurt, brine or plaster point tofu (old tofu), small fish, shrimp and shrimp skin that can be eaten with bone, sesame paste, shellfish, dark green vegetables, etc., all contain high calcium and are easily absorbed by the body, fracture patients can eat more.
One calcium tablet + two bottles of milk, enough
It is important to remind you that there is a limit to the absorption of calcium, not the more the better.
Generally, after a fracture in adults, the amount of calcium supplementation should not exceed 1500 mg/day. How much is this? Diet can generally provide 400 mg of calcium, the rest of the amount, by taking a daily calcium tablet (400 to 600 mg of calcium), plus two bottles of milk (a total of 500 ml, which can provide 500 mg of calcium) supplement is enough.
It is usually supplemented for 2 to 3 months, after which you can gradually return to a normal diet with a daily intake of 800 mg of calcium (you can insist on two bottles of milk per day after you stop taking calcium supplements).
Also remember that calcium supplementation should be accompanied by drinking more water to help eliminate calcium that the body cannot use to prevent urinary stones from occurring.
Don’t keep it at home, go to the sun
Calcium supplementation alone is not enough, but also stop the body to take more vitamin D to help the body absorb calcium more effectively. Animal liver, milk, poultry eggs, especially cod liver oil this oh just vitamin D content is particularly rich, you can eat more.
Another natural way to take in vitamin D is to get some sunshine. Patients with fractures should spend as much time outdoors in the sun as possible. From 9 to 10 a.m. and 4 to 7 p.m., the sun’s ultraviolet A beam increases, which is a good time to stock up on the body’s “sunshine hormone,” vitamin D. From 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., the UVB and C beams, which are harmful to the skin, are at their highest, so contact should be avoided as much as possible.
Do not forget to supplement protein
After a fracture, the patient’s body is in a high metabolic state, and more protein is consumed, making it easy to have a “negative nitrogen balance” (i.e. more protein is lost than is taken in), and there is also a large loss of calcium, phosphorus and potassium. This phenomenon is especially evident in patients with long-term bedridden fractures.
Therefore, within two weeks after the fracture, animal proteins such as fish, shrimp, milk, eggs, poultry, etc. should be easily digested and absorbed, and the diet should be light, low salt, low fat, avoid animal fat and fried food.
Two weeks after the fracture, the pain has been relieved, bone repair into the growth period, protein can provide the raw material for the manufacture of new bone, so it is more important to eat more protein, soy products, and food containing more collagen such as meat skin, pig’s feet, etc..
For example, animal liver, seafood, soybeans, sunflower seeds and mushrooms contain more zinc; animal liver, eggs, beans, green leafy vegetables, wheat and bread contain more iron; cereals, mustard, egg yolk and cheese contain more manganese.
Another point is that after the fracture, activity is reduced, gastrointestinal motility is slowed down, many patients will have constipation, more common in bedridden patients. Therefore, the diet should ensure that there are more leafy vegetables containing dietary fiber, and you can also eat more bananas, honey and other foods that promote defecation.
Why bone broth was not chosen?
First, bone broth contains mostly insoluble calcium salts, which are poorly absorbed by the body. Studies have found that bone broth contains only 2 to 5 mg of calcium per 100 ml, which is less than 1/10 of the calcium content of ordinary milk (about 105 mg of calcium per 100 ml of milk). Second, fractures, especially open fractures or combined with other injuries, due to pain stimulation, more bleeding, weakness, after the injury is generally poor appetite. At this time to drink greasy bone soup, but not conducive to digestion and absorption, easy to cause gastrointestinal discomfort, affecting the intake of other nutrients. Therefore, the diet should be light, easily absorbed and digested semi-liquid.