More Dairy Reduces Falls And Fractures In The Elderly

 

About nineteen percent of women and three percent of men over the age of 85 suffer from osteoporosis. What is that right then? And how can dairy help to limit it?

Osteoporosis is a condition in which your bone mass and bone quality are greatly reduced. This increases the risk of falling, which can lead to bone fractures.

According to recent Australian research, an extra intake of calcium and protein through additional portions of dairy could reduce the number of falls, bone fractures and hip fractures in residential care homes. Research by Australian Dr. Sandra Iuliano found that an extra daily portion of dairy caused 33% fewer bone fractures.

Hip fractures even decreased by 46%, and falls by 11%. Bone density, muscle mass and body weight decreased in elderly people who were not given extra dairy. Older people who did receive extra dairy noticed that all these factors remained stable.

Inge Coene, nutritionist at NICE, explains: 'Dairy naturally contains many nutrients such as protein and calcium, which contribute to good bone health. But other nutrients in milk and dairy products may also have contributed to favorable results. Dairy is familiar to most Belgians in terms of use and taste, with an average of two to three servings of dairy per day also forming part of the general recommendations for a healthy diet. In addition, incorporating some extra milk, yoghurt and cheese into the daily menu of the elderly is relatively easy.'

In Belgian residential care centers about 13% of the elderly are malnourished and 50% are at risk of malnutrition. This also increases the risk of falls, bone fractures and sarcopenia, or the loss of muscle mass, muscle strength and muscle function. There, too, extra dairy could have beneficial effects.