Osteoporosis is a
crippling disease which weakens the bones. It is most commonly
associated with older people. Women especially are affected as oestrogen
levels - which drop at menopause - can cause bones to weaken, often
leading to hip fractures.
Seven out of
ten Australian women, and a significant number of men, aren't getting
the calcium they need to avoid the risk of osteoporosis. By 2050, nearly
half the world's hip fractures will occur in Asia. Studies have
identified Asians as the ethnic group with the lowest calcium intake.
Getting enough calcium to avoid the risk of osteoporosis through your
diet can be difficult - a calcium supplement is often recommended for
those who are on a low-calcium food diet.
Consume
more - Low fat dairy foods (look for those with extra calcium). Soya
bean products, wholegrain bread and cereals, fresh fruit and vegetables.
Regular weight-bearing exercises.
Consumer
less - coffee, tea, alcohol, animal, fats, meats and eggs
Arthritis - Arthritis
literally means "fire in the joints", a description that almost 4
million Australian adults who are believed to suffer from the condition
understand only too well.
The most
common form of arthritis is osteoarthritis mostly affects older people.
It develops as the cartilage that protects a joint wears away. The
result is a painful, sometimes debilitating combination of stiffness and
swelling.
Rheumatoid
arthritis is an inflammatory type of arthritis, and an auto-immune
disorder. IT occurs when the body replaces damaged tissue with scar
tissue. This forces within the joints to become narrow, so the bones
actually fuse together.
Consume
more - Deep sea fish (tuna and salmon, for example), avocado, olive
oil, linseed oil, leafy vegetables, yellow vegetables, fresh fruit,
nuts, seeds, ginger, wholemeal bread and cereals, brown rice, water,
sulphur-containing foods such as asparagus, eggs, garlic and onions
Exercise
which doesn't put stress on your joints - swimming is great. Unused
joints tend to stiffen.
Celery
supplements - traditionally used to relieve joint pains. Glucosamine - a
supplement that contains the natural component of human cartilage. It
enhances the structural integrity of connective tissue.
Consume
less - Nightside vegetables (tomatoes, potatoes, eggplants,
capsicum) - they contain compounds which can inflame arthritis. Animal
fats, tea, coffee, processed food.
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