It is easy, or seemingly involuntary, to take things
for granted when living in today’s fast-paced world. Health is almost
secondary, as work is often given high priority. But to keep the body going,
one needs food and nutrients for sustenance—the same goes for the need for
strong bones to ensure continuous mobility and support.
To help address this growing health problem, Pfizer
Consumer Healthcare (PCH)partnered with the International Osteoporosis
Foundation (IOF) to spearhead the local celebration of World Osteoporosis Day
(WOD) on October 20.
“It conveys the message that the first step in
osteoporosis prevention begins in youth, when nutrition can help maximize our
bone-building potential, and continues throughout life as we strive to maintain
strong bones at older age,” explained IOF, the global organizer of WOD.
A key date in the bone, muscle, and joint community
agenda, WOD is an occasion when people around the globe unite to put the
spotlight on the immense burden caused by osteoporosis and other
musculoskeletal diseases, and the actions that can be taken to prevent and
treat them. It aims to put bone, muscle, and joint health on the global health
agenda.
In the Philippines, PCH has remained a solid
supporter of this global movement and has advocated various activities in the
past to raise awareness on the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of
osteoporosis and metabolic bone disease.
The Silent Disease
According to IOF, osteoporosis affects over 200
million people worldwide. Approximately one in three women and one in five men
over the age of 50 will break a bone (also known as osteoporotic fracture) due
to this silent disease.
Fractures, specifically hip fractures, can cause
loss of function and independence with 40% of patients unable to walk
independently; 60% requiring assistance a year later; 33% being totally
dependent on or in a nursing home. Moreover, hip fractures cause the greatest
morbidity with reported mortality rates up to 20-24%in the first year after a
person suffers a hip fracture
“We at Pfizer Consumer Healthcare support the IOF in
its advocacy to inform the people about osteoporosis and the fact that it can
be prevented,” says Dr. Egbert Dorado, senior medical manager at PCH. “We echo
IOF’s key message: Adequate intake of the right nutrients contributes to bone
health at all ages, and is a first step in osteoporosis prevention. For those
who already have osteoporosis, a bone-healthy nutrition should be part of their
treatment and rehabilitation program.”
Three of the major nutrients that help optimize bone
health are: calcium, vitamin D, and protein, with recommended daily allowances
varying throughout life.
“Regulating calcium levels in the body promotes
better bone mass density (BMD), alongside improving muscle performance and
balance. Taking a calcium supplement with adequate levels of Vitamin D3 also
helps maximize calcium absorption,” adds Dr. Egbert.
While proper nutrition works, it is also important
to have a holistic approach to osteoporosis prevention and management.
“It is indeed crucial to build strong bones early in
life by following a healthy diet as it is the key ingredient in helping a
person achieve peak bone mass, and maintaining it throughout life. But it is
equally important to avoid other modifiable risk factors including sedentary
lifestyle, smoking, and alcohol use,” explains Dr. Egbert.
Visit here: www.worldosteoporosisday.org
On YouTube: www.youtube.com/iofbonehealt
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