About 97.2% of Filipinos aged 19 to 59 years outdated and 95.5% of these aged 60 and above are calcium poor, in line with the Department of Science and Technology’s Food and Nutrition Research Institute’s (DOST-NRFI) 2021 Expanded National Nutrition Survey (ENNIS).
With majority of Filipinos poor in calcium, the specter of osteoporosis looms — a actuality that DOST consultants have discovered alarming.
In an interview on “Unang Hirit’s” “Unang Balita” section, Tuesday, newscaster Mariz Umali spoke with DOST-NRFI senior science analysis specialist Josie Gonzales, who shared that calcium deficiency contributes to weakened bones.
“Kung calcium deficient po tayo, ang problema po magiging brittle o magiging malutong ang ating mga buto kaya madali po tayong mababalian,” she mentioned.
[If we are calcium deficient, the problem is our bones would become brittle and break easily]
While milk is an effective supply of calcium, Gonzales added there are different calcium-rich alternate options obtainable. These embody malunggay, kangkong, camote tops, and different leafy greens, in addition to small fish like dilis and sardines, that are appropriate for these with lactose intolerance.
Aside from consuming calcium-rich meals, one should additionally make it a behavior to get some solar publicity to assist the physique take in calcium. Eating a balanced food regimen and avoiding smoking are additionally key.
Coffee lovers may also need to suppose twice with regards to their caffeine consumption. According to Gonzales, an excessive amount of caffeine can have an effect on the way in which the physique absorbs calcium.
“‘Yung caffeine po, pipigilan niya po ang gamit ng calcium sa katawan natin kahit kumakain ka ng [pagkain na] mataas ang calcium, kapag meron ka ring caffeine na mataas din sa katawan mo, hindi niya magagamit nang maayos ‘yung calcium. Kaya may deficiency,” she advised Umali.
[Caffeine inhibits the body’s absorption of calcium, so even if you eat calcium-rich food but consume high amounts of caffeine, your body would have a hard time absorbing calcium, which causes the deficiency]
According to WebMD, folks with osteoporosis, mustn’t drink greater than 3 cups of espresso a day.
“If you are generally healthy and get enough calcium from your food or supplements, drinking about 4 cups of coffee daily doesn’t seem to increase the risk of getting osteoporosis,” it added.
— Cody Cepeda/LA, GMA Integrated News
Source: www.gmanetwork.com
