HEALTHY LIVING
Keep Your Bones Strong With Calcium, Diet
Osteoporosis seems to run in my family, so I have taken calcium for years to prevent it. Now I read that calcium pills can lead to heart attacks. What can I do to make my bones stronger?
— Marilyn O., Tucson, Ariz. Supplemental calcium won’t cause
heart attacks unless it’s taken in massive doses. But make sure you advise of all the medications and supplements you are taking so your doctor can treat you correctly. To strengthen your bones you need hormones. Estradiol, progesterone, and testosterone in the bioidentical/ natural form under a knowledgeable doctor’s supervision are your fi rst line of defense. Exercise also prevents osteoporosis. A diet rich in dark,
leafy green vegetables helps as well. Finally, calcium citrate maleate in no more than 1,000 mg per day, vitamin D3 at 5,000-10,000 IUs per day, and strontium ranelate at 681 mg at bedtime fi ve times a week help keep your bones strong.
I recently had chest pains and went to the hospital. My doctor determined that I was not having a heart attack. I thought for sure that he would order a stress test, but instead he sent me home and scheduled some other tests. Does this sound right? The chest pains have not continued. — Joseph T., Bayonne, N.J.
Your age, medical history, blood test results, vital
signs (blood pressure, pulse), and EKG done while in the hospital will determine if you need a stress test. A stress test is not necessarily the next step if the chest pains are
About Dr. Schwartz: Erika Schwartz, M.D., is the leading national expert in wellness, disease prevention, and bioidentical hormone therapies. Dr. Schwartz has written four best-selling books, testified before Congress, hosted her own PBS pledge special on bioidentical hormones, and appeared on various shows and networks including Fox News Channel, CBS News, Larry King Live, and The View.
88 NEWSMAX MAXLIFE | AUGUST 2012
SCHWARTZ, M.D. MEDICAL HELP
clearly not of cardiac origin. Since you and your doctor are the ones to decide on the safest next test for you, I would strongly recommend you ask your doctor why he has not ordered the stress test, why has he ordered other tests, what those tests are, and what his working diagnosis for your condition is. Remember — it is your body, and you should feel comfortable and informed with the doctor’s answers.
I am a man in my 70s who did some boxing as a young man. I know I suff ered several concussions during fights. Even
though I still feel mentally sharp, I’m worried about the kind of dementia we’ve seen in retired football players. Is there anything I can do to prevent it?
— Guy V., Philadelphia, Pa.
There is a lot you can do to slow down the possible progression of dementia, Alzheimer’s, and other aging- and trauma-related diseases of the brain. First, make sure your diet is rich in fresh vegetables and fruit, and low in alcohol, preserved foods, soda, sugar, and starches. Try to drink a gallon of water every day. Next, I
strongly recommend you get active. No boxing, but walking, climbing, biking, and even yoga to keep your body and mind in good shape. Make sure you get at least eight hours of sleep per night. Try supplements that have been proven to help: omega-3 fi sh oils, 1,000-2,000 mg per day; astaxanthin, 10 mg per day; resveratrol, 400 mg per day; and vitamin B complex, 100 mg per day. Ask your doctor if testosterone supplementation is right for you.
Note: All information presented in “Medical Help” is for informational purposes only. It is not specific medical advice for any individual. You should take no action solely on the basis of this publication’s contents. Readers are advised to consult a health professional about any issue regarding their health and well-being.
Questions for Dr. Schwartz? Email
askschwartz@newsmax.com and write “Ask Dr. Schwartz” in the subject line.
ERIKA
WOMAN/ISTOCKPHOTO
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