Calcium is the chemical element that is responsible for the strength of the body’s bones. It is also necessary in other life processes such as blood clotting and the ability of the nerves and muscles to communicate properly. Calcium dietary supplements, along with Vitamin D, are often used in geriatric patients because this is the group that is at greatest risk from fractures that are the result of “thinning” of the bones, a condition known as “osteoporosis.”

Throughout life the body is constantly dissolving older bone cells and replacing them with new, stronger cells. However, as age increases, the body becomes less efficient at this process and calcium from the old cells is not reused nor is new calcium properly used to replace what has been lost. There are many reasons why this can occur, but the most common are a decrease in the production of estrogen (in women) and a decrease in the amount of calcium available in the diet (affecting both men and women). In both conditions, increasing the geriatric patient’s calcium intake has been shown effective in the prevention of new fractures.

The most widely used form of calcium as a dietary is a compound known as calcium carbonate, which is usually provided as a pill or capsule. Although the amount of calcium per capsule or pill will vary by manufacturer, a total dosage of 500 mg per day is a recommended starting dosage.

The body is incapable of using calcium directly to make new bone cells. In order to produce new cells, vitamin D must also be present.

Vitamin D is also known as the “sunshine vitamin” because the body can can manufacture it from simpler substances when the skin It has been repeatedly noted that geriatric patients, because they spend relatively more time indoors, tend to have lower vitamin D levels than those who spend more time outdoors. Vitamin D is also felt to be important to the normal function of the body’s immune system as well.

For most geriatric patients, an adequate supply of vitamin D is provided by foods such as milk and dairy products to which vitamin D has been added. The packaging of such vitamin D-supplemented food is usually labeled as “vitamin D fortified” or some similar term.

The suggested daily allowance of vitamin D is 400 IU (International Units) per day, which is the same as 10 micrograms. Vitamin D supplements are also available at pharmacies and health food stores.

While no one set of instructions will be appropriate for all geriatric patients, daily nutritional supplements containing calcium and vitamin D can be important in both the prevention of osteoporosis and in maintaining a healthy immune system.

Winter can make you and the body very lethargic. You can change all that if you give more attention to the food you eat such as warm and cooked meals, warm water, juices, light tea and some exercise can all be very helpful in taking care of your skin. Cleanse your face daily with your favorite cleanser every night which making your skin more supple and beautiful.

Here are some suggestions for protecting your skin and hair:

1. The skin on your hands is thinner than in other areas of your body, and it needs extra protection and care. Make sure that after washing your hands you dry thoroughly and use a good hand cream. Wearing gloves outdoors will also protect them and keep your skin soft.

2. Elbows, knees, and feet are completely covered in the winter months, and usually forgotten until spring. Clothing and boots can cause friction that creates a buildup of thick skin. A good scrubbing with a natural lofah sponge, followed by a rich cream will remove any problems here.

3. Sun protection is very important in the winter months, just as it is year-round. Many people forget to use sunscreen, but sun reflects off snow and ice, and you can actually get double the sun exposure.

4. Protect your lips with a good lip balm, and avoid licking your lips as much as possible, since that will cause your lips to crack and chap. If you get a bad case of chapped or cracked lips, use some Vaseline Intensive care before bed, and you should be good to go in the morning.

5. Winter winds and low humidity are also hard on your hair, and using a rich, deep hair conditioner is important to restore moisture to your hair.

6. One way to keep your skin in great shape is getting a massage. You don’t have to go to a specialist for this: just get out your favorite massage oil and ask a family member to give you a quick massage. Then relax and enjoy the experience and the benefits.

Here are some of the best natural beauty ingredients available for winter skin and hair care:

Baking Soda – can be used as a deodorant, bath powder, or tooth whitener. Mixed with water, it helps remove residues from hairstyling products, making your hair clean and shiny.

Beans – Finely ground until powder-like, beans make a great cleanser for your face and body: just add the powdered beans to your favorite cleanser and massage into damp skin. Dry beans are rich in protein, potassium and iron, all good ingredients for healthy skin.

Citrus Fruit – contains citric acid, which kills bacteria on the skin. Also, the fresh scent is a known energizer. Rinse your hair with lemon juice mixed with water when you hair is dull and tired.

Maple Syrup – can be used as a facial mask, or hair conditioner, and it’s one of the best natural moisturizers. For best results, make sure you look for syrup marked 100% pure.

Tea Tree Oil – this oil has very powerful antibacterial and antiviral qualities, and it’s easily absorbed by the skin.