The Thai Osteoporosis Foundation is encouraging Thai people of all age to drink milk, exercise and refrain from coffee, tea, smoking, carbonated or alcoholic drinks to avoid osteoporosis which is growing as Thailand is turning itself into an ageing society.
Dr Thawee Songpatanasilp, chairman of Thai Osteoporosis Foundation, on the occasion of the World Osteoporosis Day on Oct 20, saying people should consume food that contains high calcium and vitamin D to stimulate bone regeneration.
Milk was among recommended food because it allows the body to accumulate calcium naturally, he said. The best time for milk consumption was from childhood to the age of 30. Those older than 30 years old should also drink milk to retain their bone mass, Dr Thawee said.
People could choose the kinds of milk that suited their bodies. For example, old people and those with diabetes could drink unflavoured milk, he said.
Regular and proper exercises would support bone regeneration. Meanwhile, people should refrain from risk factors which had negative impacts on their bones. He cited smoking and the consumption of tea, coffee, carbonated drinks and drinks with alcohol.
Good health care is necessary as the number of senior citizens in the country are growing and so was the prevalence of osteoporosis, Dr Thawee said.
Thailand was considered an ageing society since 2005 when citizens aged 60 and over formed 10% of its total population. It was expected to become a complete ageing society within 2021 when the old people would account for at least 20% of the total population.
