BS.CKII Nguyen An Chau - General Director of Minh Anh International Hospital - said that the aging process causes the bone and joint system to decline naturally, increasing the risk of osteoporosis, osteoarthritis and prolonged pain in the elderly.
According to Dr. Chau, to maintain a healthy motor system, the elderly need to supplement enough essential nutrients such as calcium, vitamin D3 and vitamin K2. In which, calcium is the main constituent component of bones; vitamin D3 helps increase calcium absorption, while vitamin K2 supports bringing calcium into bones, limiting deposition in blood vessel walls.
In addition, nutrients such as type II collagen, glucosamine, chondroitin, magnesium and zinc also play an important role in nourishing joint cartilage, increasing joint fluid secretion and supporting bone mineralization.
Dr. Chau noted that simply supplementing with calcium is not enough. If vitamin D3 and K2 are lacking, calcium may be poorly absorbed, increasing the risk of kidney stones or vascular calcification. Therefore, the elderly need to build a balanced diet, combining many nutrients instead of focusing on one individual component.
According to recommendations, nutritional sources should be prioritized from natural foods such as milk, yogurt, cheese, small fish including bones, shrimp and dark green vegetables. In case the diet does not meet the needs or has bone and joint diseases, patients should consult a doctor before using supplements.
Signs such as prolonged back pain, nighttime cramps, morning stiffness, joints whispering when moving or gradually decreasing height can also be warnings that the body is lacking nutrients or has bone and joint diseases that need to be examined early.
