Bone Health

Calcium is essential for healthy bones.

What is Osteoporosis?

Osteoporosis is a progressive bone disease that weakens bones and increases the risk of fractures, typically in the hip, spine and wrist. It usually affects men and women over the age of 50. It is a disease in which bones become weak and brittle.

1 in 3 persons with hip fractures suffers considerable loss of function and becomes dependent on others while 1 in 5 people dies within a year of sustaining a hip fracture. Elderly needs at least 1000mg of calcium a day. It is also helpful if there are added Vitamin D and Vitamin K to assist in the absorption and utilisation of calcium. Vitamins D and K, found in the unique BonePlus formulation of MARIGOLD HL Milk, work synergistically on bone metabolism to improve bone strength.

In 2008, Ministry of Health in Singapore found that low calcium intake (less than 250 to 500 mg/day) has been associated with lower bone density and higher risk of fracture in Asian populations. Adult Singaporeans should consume 800 to 1000 mg/day of calcium from dietary and/or calcium supplementation.

Facts

Osteoporotic fractures among women over the age of 50 in Singapore are currently among the highest in Asia!
1 in 3 women and 1 in 5 men over the age of 50 will suffer a fracture due to osteoporosis.

Risk Factors:

Gender – Osteoporosis affects more women and essentially post-menopausal women.
Age – Risk increases as people age.
Body frame – Smaller, thinner people have less bone mass.
Family history – People whose parents have osteoporosis are at a higher risk of developing the disease.
Sedentary lifestyle – Lack of physical activity can lead to osteoporosis.
Imbalanced diet – A diet that is lacking in calcium and vitamin D.

"Regular exercise and a proper diet with sufficient calcium and vitamin D can help prevent Osteoporosis."

Jaclyn Reutens
Dietitian

Accredited Dietitian of Singapore (DAS)

Prevention of Osteoporosis

Healthy lifestyle choices such as regular exercise and a proper diet with sufficient calcium and vitamin D can help prevent osteoporosis.

MARIGOLD HL Milk as a good source of calcium

MARIGOLD HL Milk contains 500mg of calcium in 1 glass (250ml per glass). With just 2 glasses of MARIGOLD HL Milk daily, the elderly can meet their daily calcium needs. With Vitamins K and D as part of the unique BonePlus formulation, calcium absorption is enhanced. MARIGOLD HL Milk can be easily incorporated into an elderly person’s diet. It can be drunk at breakfast, as a snack or just before bedtime.

Why is cow’s milk a better source of protein and calcium compared to non-dairy products?

Cow’s milk has a high bioavailability of calcium, protein and vitamins. This is in comparison to non-dairy products. For older adults, they should try to consume foods that have a higher bioavailability because their absorption rate in their intestinal tract may not be as good as what it used to be when they were younger.

Non-dairy products have a much lower bioavailability of nutrients than dairy products such as milk. Cow’s milk is much preferred over non-dairy beverages.

Bioavailability is of utmost importance when trying to prevent or correct a nutrition deficiency. It is well accepted that dairy products, such as milk, is superior to non-dairy beverages when it comes to the bioavailability of calcium, protein and vitamins.

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