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| calcium. Both women and men use vitamin D less efficiently as they age, which also appears to reduce calcium absorption. |
| Although osteoporosis is not a problem for young people, consuming sufficient amounts of calcium, vitamin D, and other bone-strengthening nutrients, such as boron and phytoestrogens, at an early age is essential to maintaining bone health later. |
| Smart Foods |
| Lowfat yogurt and milk, tofu, sardines, and other canned fish with their bones, almonds, and leafy green vegetables for calcium. |
| Lowfat milk, salmon, mackerel, and other oily fish for vitamin D. |
| Apricots, prunes, and other dried fruit for boron. |
| Soy foods, dried beans, and whole wheat breads and cereals for phytoestrogens. |
| SMART SOURCES |
| For more information about kidney stones and other urologic diseases, check out the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases Web site at www.niddk.nih.gov/ |
| Psoriasis |
| This scaly red skin condition results when skin cells reproduce too quickly; it most often afflicts the scalp, elbows, legs, and knees, but it can occur on other body parts. Researchers don't yet know what causes psoriasis, but it tends to be inherited and often is linked to arthritis. |
| Although there's no known cure for psoriasis, studies have shown that a low-fat, nutrient-rich diet helps alleviate the condition. Avoid saturated fats in particular, and seek out beneficial omega-3 fatty acids, which are in low supply among many psoriasis sufferers. Omega-3s appear to inhibit inflammation, which can trigger psoriasis. It's also important to get vitamin D, the "sunshine" vitamin, by spending time outdoors and by eating |
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