Is our affluent generation making us less healthy?
Our supermarkets abound with a variety of produce and we have access to food from around the globe. There is ease of availability and we are generally more health-conscious today than ever before. However, in our abundance of food choices in today’s generation, compared to Singapore’s earlier days, we are finding ourselves more deficient in calcium. According to the 2013 International Osteoporosis Foundation Audit Report, since the 1960s, hip fractures as a result of osteoporosis has risen 500 percent among women.
Nutritionally, calcium levels are low in men and women in Singapore, where the recommended dietary calcium intake is 800 mg each day for those between the age of 19-50 years or 1000mg each for those 51 years and above. According to the National Nutrition Survey though, Singaporeans’ average daily calcium intake is just 627 mg.
Changing patterns of food consumption and activity have had a positive and negative impact on general health and wellbeing. In addition, following various fad diets has often meant we have deprived ourselves of some vital food.
The results can be dangerous, in particular for the health of our bones. One of the first things the body will usually be short of during a diet is calcium – an essential mineral nutrient. The body needs calcium for muscles to move and for nerves to carry messages in the brain, and to other parts of the body. In addition, calcium helps blood vessels move blood and helps release hormones that impact almost every function in the body.
Without calcium, the human body simply can’t function: can’t move; can’t stand, and can’t even think. This is why it is essential to ensure we get enough calcium in our daily food – even when dieting.
Fortified milks, such as Anlene Hi-Calcium Milk, contain enough calcium to fulfil the body’s needs in two servings each day.
A worrying trend is lower peak bone density and inadequate vitamin D levels present in younger populations. Bone mass peaks at the age of 30 and low levels of calcium and vitamin D certainly impacts this.
It is therefore important for young people to make a conscious effort to address this while they are still able to make a difference and build their bones. The future bone health of children and adolescents will help them keep osteoporosis at bay to a large extent.
Though the challenge to overhaul our attitudes to nutrition and exercise is a challenging one, small changes we can make in our everyday lives can significantly improve our health and improve overall bone health and strength.
Maintain a nutrient-rich diet, consuming foods such as dairy products, fish and vegetables. And add Anlene Hi-Calcium Milk to your diet to fulfil 100 percent of daily calcium requirements and prevent bone loss.
Even if you are busy or not really a milk drinker, Anlene Concentrate will work just as well. At 110ml and with four-times the calcium of regular fresh milk, it is a small, power-packed and efficient way of meeting your daily calcium needs. Your bones will thank you for it.
