Men also suffer from osteoporosis but are not aware of it

According to statistics, about 500,000 people over the age of 65 in China suffer from osteoporosis, which has become the second largest chronic disease among people over the age of 65. Among them, about 1 in every 3 women suffers from osteoporosis, which is second only to Northern Europe in the world.

Dr. Lin Zhilong reminds us that osteoporosis is not exclusive to women, men must also pay attention to their "bone foundation"!

Lin Zhilong, chief physician of neurosurgery at Zhonghe Hospital affiliated with Kaohsiung Medical University, said that the results of epidemiological statistical surveys in Taiwan over the past 10 years have found that about 60,000 people in Taiwan suffer from spinal fractures due to osteoporosis every year. Among urban women in Taiwan over the age of 65, 19.8% have one or more spinal compression fractures; the figure for men is 12.5%. According to National Health Insurance data, in 2001, there were approximately 5,000 cases of hip fractures per year among men aged 65 and above, and approximately 7,000 cases per year among women aged 65 and above. Based on the 2006 average life expectancy of Taiwanese women of 80.8 years and men of 74.6 years, approximately one-third of Taiwanese women will experience a spinal, hip, or wrist fracture in their lifetime; men also have approximately a one-fifth risk. If corrected for differences in age distribution, this prevalence rate is comparable to that of white Americans, both of which are high-prevalence areas. The World Health Organization has warned that osteoporosis is the second largest health problem after cardiovascular disease.

Women's bone density drops significantly after the age of 50, while men's is more moderate, but it also decreases year by year. It was also found that men's bone density is worse than women before the age of 50, and this continues until the age of 50-60, indicating that men's osteoporosis should be paid more attention and treated earlier. If you want to delay osteoporosis, you must do the "5 new bone protections", including adequate calcium intake. It is recommended to consume 1200 mg of milk and 1200 mg of calcium (equivalent to 6 cups of 240 ml milk) every day. There are also enough vitamins. Vitamin D, K, B6, B12, and phosphorus should be consumed evenly. It is recommended to consume 800 international units of vitamin D per day.

In addition, there must be sufficient minerals, such as magnesium, chloride, phosphorus, potassium, sodium, and sulfur. It is recommended to consume more nuts, beans, and cereals. In order to build up sufficient muscle strength, you need to pay attention to your protein and calorie intake. You should consume 60 to 82 grams of protein per day (equivalent to 3 large chicken legs), which can be found in eggs, milk, meat, fish, and soy beans. The recommended daily calorie intake is 2000 kcal (for men) and 1600 kcal (for women). And you need to get enough exercise, get more sun, and exercise three times a week, each time for at least 30 minutes.

In addition, regular exercise such as brisk walking, jogging, and mountain climbing are all beneficial to bones. Avoid smoking and excessive drinking, reduce caffeine intake, and avoid eating too salty foods. If you find any suspected symptoms of osteoporosis, please seek professional medical assistance and have your bone density tested regularly. It is recommended that you have a bone density test every one to two years.