The bones in the body are living tissues that are undergoing automatic breaking and repairing. As you age, the rate of repair slows down, leading to osteoporosis. This is a condition in which bone quality and density reduce. If you’re looking to prevent or slow the effect of osteoporosis, exercise and some changes in your daily meals go a long way. Here are three foods that help relieve osteoporosis.

Calcium-rich foods
It is no surprise that calcium is good for the body, yet not many supply the body with the right amount of calcium. This is an important element that builds strength in the bones. It also improves heart functioning and reduces blood clotting. According to the USDA Food Composition Databases, dairy products like yogurt, milk, and cottage cheese are major sources of calcium. Other foods include dark green veggies like kale, collards, broccoli, turnip greens, canned salmon, sardines, nuts, and tofu.

Vitamin D-rich foods
Vitamin D is a fat-soluble element that forms on your skin after it’s exposed to UV rays from the sun. Vitamin D is vital for calcium absorption and the functioning of bone cells. But during the long winter months, there is little to no sun exposure. The Institute of Medicine recommends 600 international units (IU) of vitamin-D per day for adults and 800 IU for people above 70. If that is not possible, then foods that are good sources of vitamin D include egg yolk, salmon, mackerel, tuna fish, fortified milk, beef liver, pork, and cheese.

Protein and phosphorus-based foods
While calcium builds strength, protein gives the bones hardness. It is the underlying component that is essential for bone health. One should at least get 15 grams of protein from every meal. Protein-rich foods include poultry, fish, eggs, beans, nuts, peanut or almond butter, and sunflower seeds. Another important mineral is phosphorus that helps build in the growth of strong bones and tissues. Foods rich in phosphorus are meat, cereal, eggs, milk, cheese, and yogurt.

Treatments for osteoporosis
In some cases incorporating healthy foods may not be enough. Doctors may recommend the following treatments along with lifestyle changes for improving osteoporosis.

PROLIA® (denosumab) helps treat osteoporosis in men and post-menopause women who are at a high fracture risk. It is a prescription treatment that also helps increase bone mass. PROLIA® comes in a 1mL single-use prefilled syringe and belongs to the Antineoplastic class. It is covered by most insurance plans. If you have Medicare Part B or D, your cost will depend on your plan and where it is ordered from. Patients with commercial insurance can opt for the manufacturer’s Co-Pay Program that covers the out-of-pocket cost for PROLIA® that exceeds $25 up to a maximum of $1,500 for a 12-month enrollment period. You can also check for coupons online offered by sites like RxPharmacyCoupons and GoodRx for more discounts.

Doctors may also prescribe EVENITY® for osteoporosis symptoms management when other options do not works. It is a sclerostin inhibitor that suppresses bone formation. EVENITY® is typically injected under the skin of the stomach, upper thigh, or upper arm. Two doses are given once per month for a year.

Another treatment option for osteoporosis caused by menopause or steroid use is FORTEO® (teriparatide). Teriparatide is a man-made form of parathyroid hormone that is found naturally in the body. Osteoporosis patients have an increased risk of suffering from fractured bones, and FORTEO® can help reduce this risk. It comes in the form of an injection to be administered in the thigh or abdomen once daily. Based on the 20mcg per day standard dosage, FORTEO® osteoporosis treatment can be given using the same special delivery device for up to 28 days.