However, experts believe that bone and joint health care needs to shift from the mindset of "treating when sick" to "proactive prevention", in which it should not only focus on supplementing calcium.
This recommendation was issued in the "Recommendations of Experts on Bone and Joint Health in Middle and Old Age" recently announced in Beijing.
According to Ms. Wang Qian, General Secretary of the Nursing and Care Sub-Association of the Chinese Geriatrics and Traditional Medicine Association, many people only seek medical attention when they have broken bones, are bedridden, or have lost the ability to take care of themselves. At that time, not only the health of patients is affected, but the quality of life of the whole family is also reduced.
Agreeing with this view, Professor Quach Thuong An, Head of the Department of Joint Surgery, Trung Son Hospital under Phuc Dan University, said that a common mistake of many people is to try to endure pain or delay treatment. When the joint has seriously deformed, the joint cartilage is severely eroded, and they go for examination, many lesions are no longer recoverable. Therefore, early detection and intervention from the early stages play a very important role.
Should not only supplement calcium
According to experts, the concept of just supplementing calcium to prevent osteoporosis is not sufficient.
Professor Tong Thuan Le, Deputy Director of Beijing University Hospital No. 3, said that bones are made up of two main components: inorganic minerals (mainly calcium and phosphorus) and organic matter, of which bone collagen accounts for more than 90% of organic composition.
Calcium helps create stiffness for bones, while collagen provides flexibility, helping bones withstand impact and reduce the risk of fractures.
Meanwhile, Assoc. Prof. Vu Nghien, Deputy Head of the Department of Spinal Surgery, Dong Te Hospital (Dong Te University), compares collagen to the "edict frame" of the skeleton. The collagen fiber system not only creates a supporting structure but is also a place for minerals such as calcium to adhere to and form strong bone tissue.
Experts believe that to effectively prevent osteoporosis, it is necessary to combine many nutritional factors instead of just supplementing with individual minerals. When the collagen structure is maintained well, bones can increase their load-bearing capacity, reducing the risk of fractures due to impacts or falls.
Proactively protect joint cartilage early
Regarding joint health, experts also recommend not waiting until pain or degeneration appears to start care.
According to Professor Tong Thuan Le, glucosamine - a product used by many people when having joint pain - is currently not considered a highly recommended drug in many treatment guidelines. The effect of glucosamine mainly helps maintain moisture and elasticity of joint cartilage, but the effectiveness varies from person to person.
Professor Quach Thuong An said that about 60% of the components of joint cartilage are collagen. Over time, this amount of collagen gradually decreases, while the body's self-regeneration ability is very limited. If not cared for early, joint cartilage will be easily eroded, leading to inflammation, pain and degeneration.
Experts recommend maintaining a reasonable diet, combining regular exercise and supplementing essential nutrients according to doctor's instructions can contribute to slowing down the aging process of bones and joints.
Postmenopausal women need special attention
According to Professor Duong Han, People's Hospital of Peking University, postmenopausal women are a group at high risk of bone loss due to a sharp decrease in estrogen levels. Therefore, this group needs to proactively prevent early pregnancy through a balanced diet, supplementing enough calcium, vitamin D and essential nutrients according to the advice of medical experts.
Experts emphasize that bone and joint care should not only start when you are old but should be done throughout your life. Proactive early prevention will help maintain mobility, reduce the risk of fractures, and contribute to improving the quality of life in old age.
