Not Diseases Osteoporosis Seniors

Disease osteoporosis has been suffered by the identical indeed elderly. However, this does not mean that the older a person the more easily they suffer from osteoporosis.

"Osteoporosis is not an old disease. It affects more on the parents, but this disease can be prevented," said Director of Communicable Diseases Control, Ministry of Health, Ekowati Rahajeng during a media gathering with the theme "Love your bones Prevent Osteoporosis", in Jakarta, Friday (10/28/2011).

Osteoporosis is often called a silent disease. The patients usually do not feel any pain or symptoms until eventually fracture.
Eko says, based on data from the Department of Health and Nutrition Research Indonesian Osteoporosis Association (Perosi), women have a higher incidence of osteoporosis than men.

In fact, predicted in 2015 the number of women with osteoporosis in Indonesia increased to 24 million people.

Calcium alone is not enough

So far, said Eko, still many people who think, if already taking calcium, it can be free from the threat of osteoporosis. "In fact, despite a high calcium intake, but if not balanced eating vegetables and fruits will not be effective because fruits and vegetables is necessary for metabolism," he explained.

He revealed that intake of calcium Indonesia is still very low compared with the recommended amount. The average adult in the new Indonesia meet calcium intake of 270-300 mg per day, whereas the amount recommended by international standards is 1000-1200 mg per day.

To ensure adequate intake of calcium, not necessarily by eating dairy foods just because there are many other calcium sources such as fish and nuts.

"In preventing osteoporosis, nutrition compliance alone is not enough without coupled physical exercise, adequate sunlight exposure, and most importantly stop smoking," he said.

Eko said, most people do not realize that smoking also may be one trigger rottenness of the bones. Some studies even indicate, the tar and nicotine can be very disturbing absorption of calcium metabolism.

"Things like this are expected to increasingly realize the community so it can be socialized properly," he said.