Osteoporosis is considered a “silent disease” because it progresses silently and without symptoms, gradually affecting mobility and threatening the patient’s quality of life.
“Many people do not detect the disease until the first bone fracture, or even multiple bone fractures, making treatment difficult and expensive,” said Associate Professor, Dr. Le Anh Thu, Chairman of the Osteoporosis Association. Ho Chi Minh City, speaking at the cooperation ceremony between Anlene and the International Osteoporosis Association, October 5.
A survey through bone density screening of nearly 100,000 Vietnamese people coordinated by the National Institute of Nutrition in 2023-2024 shows that 50% of people aged 40 and over are at risk of osteoporosis and 27% have osteoporosis. bone. The rate of osteoporosis in women over 50 years old is up to 33%.
It is estimated that about 3.6 million Vietnamese people are facing osteoporosis. It is expected that this number will increase to more than 4.5 million by 2030. Osteoporosis is a bone disease caused by a decrease in mineral mass in bones and damage to the microstructure of bone tissue, causing bones to become brittle. weak and brittle. Common signs are sudden back pain, decreased back curvature, and easy bone fractures even after minor impacts.
Associate Professor, Dr. Le Anh Thu, Chairman of Ho Chi Minh City Osteoporosis Association. Image: Huyen Nguyen
According to Associate Professor Thu, bone density begins to gradually decrease after age 30. The bone formation process takes up to 3 months, while bone destruction happens faster, only about 3 weeks. Taking care of bones in early life before age 25-30 can contribute to reducing the risk of osteoporosis later in life. Studies show that the average amount of calcium consumed from Vietnamese people’s daily meals is only 534.5 mg, much lower than the recommended level of 1,300 mg per day.
Dr. Philippe Halbout, Executive Director of the International Osteoporosis Foundation (IOF), said that among the consequences of osteoporosis, hip fractures are the most serious, causing patients to always be hospitalized. Of these, 20% of patients die, 50% then have to live with permanent disability. By 2050, Asia is expected to account for 50% of all hip fractures worldwide, because most countries on this continent have low calcium consumption, and the number of osteoporosis cases is increasing significantly.
“It is estimated that every minute in the world there are 70 bone fractures,” Mr. Philippe said. Every year, in people over 55 years old, there are up to 37 million bone fractures due to osteoporosis. Osteoporosis affects 500 million people globally.
Experts recommend preventing osteoporosis early by exercising properly and supplementing nutrients for bones and joints with calcium-rich foods or calcium-rich milk. In some cases, additional calcium may be needed as prescribed by your doctor. Regular screening can help understand bone and joint conditions so that timely intervention and treatment are available when signs of disease appear.
Protein-rich foods include meat, fish, eggs, beans, and nuts, which play an important role in bone health and increasing bone mass, especially in children. Lack of nutrition during the developmental period can seriously impair bone development. In addition, vitamin D is essential for bone development and health at all ages because it helps the body absorb calcium and deposit calcium into the skeleton. The richest natural source of vitamin D is through exposure to sunlight.