Question
A 13-year-old child often experiences soreness in their legs and arms, diagnosed by a doctor as growth pain. How should one supplement calcium to relieve these symptoms?
Answer
Generally, oral calcium supplements and cod liver oil are effective in treating growth pain. Additionally, it is important to supplement calcium through food. Excessive phosphorus intake can lead to calcium loss in the body, so it is advisable to avoid high-phosphorus foods such as carbonated drinks, cola, coffee, hamburgers, pizzas, malt, animal liver, and fries. Here is a dietary suggestion: braised tofu with fish. Fish contains vitamin D, and tofu is rich in calcium. Vitamin D aids in the absorption of calcium, significantly increasing the utilization of calcium from tofu. Moreover, choosing staple foods made from a mixture of beans and grains not only achieves the best amino acid complementarity but also promotes the absorption of calcium.