(NC) In Canada, one in three women and one in five men will break a bone because of osteoporosis. Despite these statistics, many of us have misconceptions about the disease, which is characterized by bone loss and leads to bone fragility and fractures.
According to Dr. Famida Jiwa, president of Osteoporosis Canada, each year 30,000 Canadians suffer hip fractures, with a lot more incurring spinal, wrist, shoulder and pelvic fractures as a result of the disease.
A recent survey from Ipsos found that 85 per cent of Canadians don’t realize that osteoporosis typically goes undetected, with a broken bone often being the first sign. Day-to-day life can become difficult, with simple acts such as bending over, moving, and lifting being enough to cause a fracture that leads to a loss of independence, hospital admission and more complications.
A healthy balanced diet — including getting enough calcium-rich foods such as milk products — is a key preventative measure for keeping your bones strong. Milk, yogurt, and cheese naturally contain more calcium per serving than any other food. They contain other bone-building nutrients such as protein, phosphorus, and magnesium. Milk also contains vitamin D, another key nutrient for bone health.
How can you ensure you’re getting enough? Here are three resources to keep you on track:
- Check out the www.getenough.ca site. This is a great resource to make sure you get enough calcium-rich milk products into your diet. It has tips on integrating more dairy into your everyday meals and delicious recipes approved by a team of registered dietitians.
- Explore www.osteoporosis.ca for more information on osteoporosis, better bone health and ways to reduce your risk.
- Download the Get Enough Helper App, a great on-the-go resource for individuals and families on the move. The app allows you to track your food servings to ensure you’re getting enough of what you need every day, based on Canada’s Food Guide recommendations. You’ll receive personalized recipes and tips to help you get the servings you need.
