Vitamin D, Calcium, regular exercise panacea to Osteoporosis, says Ikokwu

0

Ms May Ikokwu, the Chief Executive Officer, Save Our Heritage Initiative (SOHI), on Friday said that Vitamin D, Calcium and regular exercise were the panacea to Osteoporosis..

Ikokwu said this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on the occasion of the International Day for the Prevention of Osteoporosis in Abuja.

Osteoporosis is a health condition that weakens bones, making them fragile and more likely to break. It develops slowly over several years and is often only diagnosed when a fall or sudden impact causes a bone to break (fracture). The most common injuries in people with osteoporosis are: broken wrist.

According to her, Osteoporosis causes bones to become weak and brittle — so brittle that a fall or a mild stress such as bending over or coughing can cause a fracture.

ALSO READ  COVID-19: Katsina Suspected Case Test Result Released

She also said that Osteoporosis-related fractures most commonly could occur in the hip, the wrist or the spine.

She, therefore, advised that good nutrition and regular exercise were essential for not only preventing Osteoporosis but keeping the bones healthy throughout one’s life.

“Men and women between the ages of 18 and 50 need 1,000 milligrams of calcium a day. This daily amount increases to 1,200 milligrams when women turn 50 and men turn 70.

“Good sources of calcium include low-fat dairy products, dark green leafy vegetables, canned salmon or sardines with bones, soy products, such as tofu calcium-fortified cereals and orange juice,” she said.

NAN reports that the Health and Medicine Division of the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine recommends that total calcium intake, from supplements and diet combined, should be not more than 2,000 milligrams daily for people older than 50.

ALSO READ  Navy offers free medical assistance to C’River community

The SOHI boss similarly explained that Vitamin D would improve the body’s ability to absorb calcium and bone health in other ways.

According to her, people can get some of their Vitamin D from sunlight, but this may not be a good source if one lives in high latitude.

“Dietary sources of Vitamin D include: cod liver oil, trout and salmon. Many types of milk and cereal have been fortified with Vitamin D.

“Most people need at least 600 international units (IU) of Vitamin D a day. That recommendation increases to 800 IU a day after age 70.”

Ikokwu, however, advised people without other sources of Vitamin D and especially with limited sun exposure to go for supplement.

ALSO READ  COVID-19: Governors to meet Today on vaccines distribution

She noted that most multivitamin products contain between 600 and 800 IU of Vitamin D, adding that about 4,000 International Units (IU) of Vitamin D a day would be safe for most people.

Ikokwu who emphasised the need for right dieting, said that engaging in regular exercise could help one build strong bones and slow bone loss.

“Exercise will benefit your bones no matter when you start, but you’ll gain the most benefits if you start exercising regularly when you’re young and continue to exercise throughout your life,” she said. (NAN)

What are your thoughts?

Discover more from Odogwu Blog

Subscribe now to keep reading and get access to the full archive.

Continue reading