Dr. Antonio Rivera, AHMC orthopedics department head, defines osteoporosis as "a disease characterized by low bone mass and structural deterioration of bone tissue, leading to bone fragility and an increased susceptibility to fractures.
"It is often called the ‘silent disease’ because bone loss occurs without symptoms. People may not know that they have osteoporosis until their bones become so weak that a sudden strain, bump or fall causes a fracture," adds Dr. Rivera, a diplomate of both the American and Philippine Board of Orthopaedic Surgery. He is the founding president of the Philippine Orthopaedic Society for Sports Medicine, which looks after the treatments needed by athletes.
Dr. Rivera further states that osteoporosis occurs during advanced age, particularly in women who are in the menopausal stage. It is likewise a manifestation of ack of calcium and phosphate intake.
"Calcium and phosphate are two minerals that are essential for normal bone formation," says Dr. Rivera. "As people age, calcium and phosphate may be reabsorbed back into the body from older bones, which results in brittleness and weakness of bone tissue making the person susceptible to fractures even in the absence of trauma." In other words, there is a "cannibalism" that occurs, where bones take on the nutrients of other bones for development.
In addition to lack of calcium and phosphate, other risk factors include having a family history of osteoporosis, hormonal imbalance (abnormal absence of menstrual periods for women and low testosterone levels for men), an inactive lifestyle, cigarette smoking, as well as excessive use of alcohol.
Osteoporosis prevention should be a concern early on in life. A woman normally acquires 98 percent of her skeletal mass by the age of 20 so building strong bones during childhood and adolescence can be the best defense against osteoporosis.
Dr. Rivera notes that there are four basic steps to avoid osteoporosis and these measures should be taken as a whole since not one step alone is enough. These include a balanced diet rich in calcium and phosphate, a healthy lifestyle with no smoking and limited alcohol intake, weight-bearing exercise and bone-density testing and medication, when appropriate.
Asian Hospital and Medical Center is a 250-bed acute care tertiary hospital located at the Filinvest Corporate City in Alabang, Muntinlupa City and is scheduled to open soon. For more information, log on to www.asianhospital.com.ph.
Health In A Hurry |
There’s also the Lifetime Timed Release Ester-C 1000, the vitamin for those who are acidic or work in an environment conducive to sickness. The high dosage makes it ideal for smokers, people fighting cancer, doctors and nurses or any profession dealing with sick people, and people who have compromised immune system.
There is the super vitamin concoction – Nature’s Bounty Super Anti-Oxidant Formula, which contains four powerful antioxidant nutrients: a high dosage of beta carotene (protects cells against pollution and cancer formation, and builds strong bones), vitamin C and E (for healthy blood circulation) and selenium. The selenium maximizes the absorption of the vitamin E in the body.
As men and women have different vitamin needs, Health Express offers a complete daily vitamin system that brings fresh, potent protection in convenient, easy-to-carry packets, in formulas to suit each one. Women’s vitamin packs include multi-vitamins, vitamin C with rose hips, multi-minerals, calcium and added calcium magnesium to guard against osteoporosis. The men‘s pack is the same but contains more vitamin E for extra energy and resistance.
Health Express is located at Glorietta 3, Alabang Town Center, Festival Supermall in Filinvest, Tutuban Center, Robinsons Place Ermita, Robinsons Place Novaliches, Iloilo, Bacolod and Los Baños.
More On Diabetes/Body Fat Cure |
The cure to body fat and diabetes remains a mystery to many, always leaving a missing link or puzzle to the cure. For the first time, an overwhelming number of medical trials, books and research papers will be available for review during the lecture to support the discovered cure.
Medical/health professionals and entrepreneurs are welcome to attend (to explore strategic partnerships and distribution opportunities). Certificate of lecture attendance will be issued when requested in advance.
While attendance is by reservation only, few free seats are still available by calling Health from Earth Life Support hotline at (02) 660-22-90 or 669-80-17 or text at 0916-3050010.
Herbal Remedy For Diabetes |
As early as 70 years ago, it was demonstrated that GS reduced urine glucose in diabetics. In 1981, it was shown that oral administration of GS dried leaves brings down blood glucose and raises serum insulin levels. In 1990, a research team published the results of a study on the treatment of both type 1 and type 2 diabetes with GS extract. Gymnema sylvestre extract given to type 1 diabetics was shown to reduce insulin requirements and fasting blood sugar levels, and to improve blood sugar control. In the case of type 2 diabetics, the use of GS extract resulted in significant reductions in blood glucose and conventional drug dosage.
Because diabetes usually is not recognized until significant damage has occurred to the pancreas, GS extract may be beneficial to anyone concerned about preventing diabetes, as well as elderly persons who are at high risk for developing diabetes. The recommended dosage based on the clinical studies is 400 mgs. of gymnema sylvestre extract a day.
For more imformation, contact Uptrend Health Center at 928-34-64; e-mail:uptrend@pacific.net.ph.