SUNDAY STAR, 29 JULY 2018

HEALTHY BONES

Your skeleton matters

Your bones do much more than act as a framework for
your physical self. Learn more about this central part of
your anatomy.
2 Healthy Bones
Getting the right combination
PROTEIN is made of building blocks called
amino acids. Quality protein contains all 20
amino acids, including the nine essential
amino acids that our body cannot produce
and must obtain from dietary sources.
High consumption of animal protein can
result in many adverse health effects such as
osteoporosis and long-term risk of
developing diabetes, as supported by a 2013
study in the International Journal of Cancer.
According to a 2006 Singaporean study
published in The American Journal of Clinical
Nutrition, consuming poultry, fish and
shellfish as main sources of dietary protein
led to an increased risk of gout, while plant-
based proteins reduced the risk.
Animal protein also contains higher
amounts of acid-based amino acids that can
cause greater loss of calcium through urine
and weaken the bones.
Plant protein, on the other hand, can
provide all the essential amino acids
alongside plenty of fibre when consumed in
the right combination, such as from non-
genetically modified soy and pea.
A study titled The underappreciated role of
muscle in health and disease in The American
Journal of Clinical Nutrition showed that
people who met daily protein requirements
maintained better bone health than those
who ate less than the recommended levels.
Calcium is the key nutrient for bone
tissues, as it constitutes
a great part of them.
However, supplementing
with calcium alone is not
enough to maintain
optimal bone density.
Several studies such as a
2017 one published in the
International Journal of
Endocrinology have shown
that a combination of
calcium with other
nutrients such as
magnesium, vitamin
D3 and vitamin K2
significantly improved
bone health.
Magnesium and vitamin
D3 facilitate the absorption
and utilisation of calcium
while vitamin K2 helps
improve bone density by
effectively depositing
calcium to bones and teeth for proper
storage. Hence, these nutrients work
synergistically for effective calcium
utilisation and metabolism.
According to the European Food Safety
Authority, vitamin K2 (menaquinone, MK-7)
is a highly bioavailable form of vitamin
K that helps maintain healthy bones.
Biogrow HPF-5 PLUS is a new and
improved formula with a unique blend of
plant protein and digestive fibre. It is
enhanced with nutrients for bone health
such as calcium, magnesium, vitamin D3 and
vitamin K2.
The drink provides more than just protein
and is suitable for all ages. It contains no
lactose, no cholesterol, no added sugar and is
low in saturated fats.
Caring for your joints
IF you suffer from joint pain in areas such as
the knees, ankles and shoulders, you are not
alone. A widespread problem, complaints of
joint pain are especially common among old
folk.
Joints are connections between bones.
Often, the pain is caused by wear and tear of
the cartilage, leading to inflammation, pain
and stiffness in the area.
This condition is known medically as
osteoarthritis. Risk factors include obesity
and hereditary conditions, but old age is one
of the most common risk factors.
Risk factors are often out of our control,
which is why it is important for us to
learn how to care for our joints before
osteoarthritis develops and the pain sets in.
Glucosamine is a natural compound found
in the cartilage – the tough bone-like
material that cushions joints. Glucosamine is
often prescribed as a health supplement for
the treatment of osteoarthritis.
In its supplemental form of glucosamine
sulphate, studies have demonstrated that
consuming 1,500mg of it daily helps reduce
knee pain. Additionally, glucosamine
encourages the regrowth of cartilage and
helps prevent further breakdown.
Chondroitin sulphate is also commonly
found in the cartilage of the body. It has
anti-inflammatory benefits, reducing pain
and slowing down the wear and tear of
cartilage.
Clinical studies have shown that
consuming 1,200mg chondroitin sulphate
together with 1,500mg glucosamine sulphate
results in pain reduction and recovery of
knee function.
Glucosamine is an important component in preserving bone health.
SUNDAY STAR, 29 JULY 2018
Biogrow HPF-5 PLUS
is a new and improved
formula with a unique
blend of plant protein
and digestive fibre.
It is enhanced with
nutrients for bone
health such as calcium,
magnesium, vitamin D3
and vitamin K2.
Take one scoop of Biogrow HPF-5 PLUS
(≈ 16g) daily to be nourished with plant
protein, calcium, magnesium, and vitamins
D3 and K2 for the development of stronger
bones, muscles and body strength.
This article is brought to you by Legosan
(Malaysia) Sdn Bhd.
n For more information, call 03-7956 2220 or
e-mail info@biogrow.com.my
The benefits of combining chondroitin
sulphate and glucosamine sulphate are
greater than either used alone.
The optimum combination of 1,500mg
glucosamine and 1,200mg chondroitin helps
reduce joint pain and swelling, rebuild joint
cartilages, slow down progression of
osteoarthritis and improve quality of life
in those with osteoarthritis.
As our bones are constantly being
regenerated, they require a steady supply of
the right raw materials. Besides glucosamine
and chondroitin, we need calcium, plenty of
vitamin D and vitamin K2 to maintain strong
and healthy bones.
Remember that joints are always located
by the bones, so keeping both healthy is the
key to a healthy structure.
Osteoarthritis can happen even at a
young age, especially if weight is a
persistent problem. To reduce the risk of
the disease, stay active and exercise
regularly according to your ability. Light
workouts and stretches help exercise the
joints and prevent stiffness.
While exercising, it is important to practise
proper breathing techniques and move at
your own pace.
No matter the age, joints are an important
part of our skeleton, without which we will
not be able to move around. Therefore, treat
joint pain and regain flexibility.
This article is brought to you by Vitamode
Sdn Bhd.
n For more information, call 1300 800 228 or
e-mail enquiry@medispec.com.my
SUNDAY STAR, 29 JULY 2018 3
4 Healthy Bones
An unfamiliar
situation
OUR bones have the ability to
grow and provide a supportive
frame for our vulnerable
organs.
Some bone diseases are
common and form the bulk
of cases that orthopaedic
surgeons encounter, including
osteoporosis, arthritis and
scoliosis. However, there also
exist uncommon and perhaps
even rare diseases of the bone.
In a world crowded with
billions of people, there are a
few who live with disorders that
not many have heard of.
We look into recorded, yet
unusual, bone diseases.
A fragile condition
Bones are meant to be strong
enough to allow an individual
freedom to move and carry out
everyday activities, but what if
Osteogenesis imperfecta patients are sometimes treated by implanting strengthening devices such as screws and rods your bones are so fragile that
into their brittle bones to prevent breakage. —
­ filepic you worry about your every
action, as the possibility of
fractures looms around every
corner?
Osteogenesis imperfecta (OI),
also known as brittle bone
disease, is a heterogenous group
of genetic disorders that affects
one’s bones, leaving them prone
to breakage.
Those with OI can easily
suffer multiple fractures,
causing acute and chronic pain.
These individuals may break
hundreds of bones throughout
their lifetimes, depending on
which subset of the disease they
have.
Sudden jerking movements
such as an infant kicking when
startled or a wrist swapping
away at an annoying fly can
result in a snapping sound,
signifying a cracked bone.
For some, even sneezing
or a tight hug could cause
fractures.
OI is categorised into eight
different types, all of which
differ in severity. Type I is the
mildest form, while type II is the
most severe. The other types fall
between these two.
According to the United States
National Library of Medicine, OI
affects an estimated six to seven
per 100,000 people worldwide,
where type I and IV of the
disease are the most prevalent –
found in four to five per 100,000
people.
SUNDAY STAR, 29 JULY 2018
The cause of OI is often
attributed to deformed or
insufficient type 1 collagen.
This collagen is a protein that
functions to support and
strengthen many tissues in the
body, including bone.
Unfortunately, there is no
cure for OI, but there are
treatment options that aim
to prevent fractures and
deformities.
Among the options available
are the use of assistive devices
(such as wheelchairs and neck
braces), physical therapy and a
procedure known as rodding,
where a metal bar is inserted
into a long bone to strengthen
and stabilise it.
Melting candles
There is a rare disease
characterised by a dripping
candle wax appearance on the
surface of one’s bones, visible
through X-ray imaging.
When someone suffers from
melorheostosis, he or she will
encounter an unusual
thickening of the bony cortex –
where new bone forms on top of
old bone.
According to a report
published last year titled
Melorheostosis: A Rare
Sclerosing Bone Dysplasia in
Current Osteoporosis Reports,
only 400 cases of this disease
have been recorded since it was
first described in 1922.
This disease is so rare that it is
estimated to affect about one in
a million people.
Melorheostosis symptoms
typically emerge in late
childhood or adolescence and
is often accompanied by aching
or sharp chronic pain.
Other signs of this condition
include uneven limb lengths,
reduced joint motion and joint
deformities known as
contractures.
Sometimes a patient’s affected
limb, be it an arm or leg, will
look much larger than normal –
with the skin covering it
seeming red, swollen or shiny.
The atypical bone growth in
melorheostosis is benign,
meaning that it is non-
cancerous. It does not spread
to different bones in the body.
> SEE NEXT PAGE
SUNDAY STAR, 29 JULY 2018
Understanding the lesser-known maladies
> FROM PREVIOUS PAGE
The cause of melorheostosis
is dependent on whether the
condition is isolated or
associated with another disease
such as Buschke-Ollendorff
syndrome.
In isolated melorheostosis,
patients do not normally have
relatives who suffer from the
same disease.
About half of the cases of
isolated melorheostosis are
caused by somatic mutations in
the MPA2K1 gene, according to
an article titled Somatic
activating mutations in MAP2K1
cause melorheostosis published
in Nature Communications this
year.
These mutations are not
passed down from a parent,
cannot be transmitted to a child
and tend to be random
occurrences.
The cause of the disease for
the other half of the population
is not currently known.
Although melorheostosis is
not a life-threatening condition,
it can severely hamper one’s
ability to live a fully functioning
existence.
This is mostly due to the great
pain that can accompany the
disease. The pain can get
worse over time – even after
surgery.
For now, available treatment
options do not cure
meleorheostosis but are
designed to control symptoms.
The appropriate treatment
plan is dependent on the
condition of the individual
patient, as what works for one
may not work for another.
Those afflicted with
meleorheostosis may consider
physical or occupational
therapy, regional nerve
blockades, serial casting, or
braces as conservative
approaches.
Surgical treatments are
another available option but, as
stated earlier, will not be the
end of the disease.
To deal with the issue of pain,
patients may be prescribed non-
steroidal anti-inflammatory
drugs, steroids or even
narcotics.
Pain management is a
difficult issue as patients can
react differently to medication.
As the disease progresses and
symptoms become more severe,
pain management may become
increasingly complicated or
even ineffective.
Healthy Bones 5
Not sticks, but stones Other forms of treatment that may
be useful in the infantile stages of the
Now, imagine your bones disease include interferon gamma to
were extremely hard and dense, help increase bone marrow volume,
and your bone marrow cavities vitamin D intake to activate dormant
were suffused with compact osteoclasts and encourage bone
bone mass, thus affecting its resorption, and administration of
ability to produce sufficient red corticosteroids or erythropoietin for
blood cells. dealing with anaemia.
The name for this condition Each case of marble bone disease
paints a visually strong picture: should be evaluated independently
marble bone disease. Also by doctors as there is no single
known as osteopetrosis – which treatment that works for every
literally translates into “stone patient. Since developing fractures is
bone” – the disease is a symptom of marble bone disease,
remarkably rare and can also patients may require surgery.
cause one’s bones to become Surgery may also be carried out for
brittle. aesthetic or functional reasons, as
According to Marble Bone the disease often produces physical
Disease: A Rare Bone Disorder deformity or movement restriction.
published by the US National
Library of Medicine, this disease
affects an estimated one in
A closing thought
100,000 to 500,000 people. Living with diseases that
In the human body, the bone drastically inhibit your life –
marrow produces stem cells, because of factors such as pain
which are responsible for the or disfigurement – is indeed a
creation of red and white blood Bone conditions can come in many forms but some are relatively unknown. frightening thought for many.
cells. Due to the narrowed bone Although there may not be
marrow cavity seen in marble into osteoclasts, which would be able In Malaysia, a five-year-old boy cures available for all diseases,
bone disease, patients tend to to stop the abnormal bone growth underwent bone marrow such as for these rare conditions
suffer from anaemia and are associated with the disease. transplantation (with bone marrow of the bone, we can turn to the
susceptible to infection. This curative therapy method has donated from a matched sibling) and scientific or medical community
Those beset with the disease seen successful results in infants found his blood counts returning for the best treatment.
may also experience a host of who were diagnosed early, according to normal post-surgery – with no Bright minds in the medical
other complications such as to a report titled Bone marrow development of limb deformity industry are working hard to
hearing impairment (from the transplantation for infantile typically seen in marble bone disease research and develop new
excess bone formation pressing malignant osteopetrosis published by – as reported in Osteopetrosis: New treatments, and we look forward
on nerves), stunted growth, the Journal of Pediatric Hematology/ Insights for the Healthcare to a day when these diseases will
dental issues (such as absent or Oncology. Professional: 2011 Edition. finally find panacea.
deformed teeth) and bone pain.
For some patients, severe
forms of this disease may cause
abnormalities in the brain,
intellectual disability or epilepsy.
Mild versions of the disease may
present no symptoms or
problems.
There are two forms of
osteopetrosis – one is congenital
while the other is acquired.
Congenital osteopetrosis
involves either a dysfunction of
or reduction in the number of
osteoclasts (large cells that
absorb bone tissue), while
acquired osteopetrosis is linked
to fluoride deposits in bone
tissue, usually caused by
drinking water overloaded with
fluoride.
Sometimes, localised marble
bone disease can take place in
those who have cancer, where
tumours have spread into bone
tissue. In severe cases,
congenital marble bone disease
may be fatal. To treat the
condition, some patients may
turn to bone marrow
transplantation. This procedure
provides cells that can be turned
6 Healthy Bones
The new
gold rush
WESTERN Australia is experiencing a gold
rush that has nothing to do with the precious
metal. It is liquid gold – honey sourced from
the state’s jarrah and other forests, which is
antimicrobial and has health-giving
properties.
ChemCentre, Western Australia’s
government laboratory, has found that
honey sourced from these forests are high in
antioxidants, have anti-inflammatory
properties and can promote gut health.
Red gum marri (Corymbia calophylla) is a
bloodwood tree native to Western Australia’s
south-west region. Red gum honey is a
darker, premium variety of honey that has a
thick consistency, bold taste and distinctive
aroma.
Opceden Red Gum Honeycomb is a
product that is untouched by human hands
due to the nature of the hives it is harvested
from. The harvesting process is conducted in
a clean environment free of chemicals or
pesticides.
There are indications that some Australian
floral tree species may yield
honey with valuable dietary
attributes such as low
glycaemic indices and
prebiotic properties (Conway
et al, 2010), and therapeutic
attributes such as
antifungal and
antibacterial properties
(Carter et al, 2010).
Some other benefits of
Opceden Red Gum
Honeycomb are:
l High antimicrobial
quality (TA30+)
l Promotes wound healing
l Is an effective oral cleaner and
disinfectant (cleans gums and teeth, and
removes plaque)
l Can prevent colds
l Supports the immune system
l Promotes healthy glucose metabolism
l Repairs damaged skin cells
For daily consumption, roll one or two
teaspoons of Opceden Red Gum Honeycomb
around in your mouth for five minutes, then
chew it and the leftover wax. Alternatively,
mix the honeycomb with dessert, plain
yoghurt or tea as a sugar substitute.
Opceden Red Gum Honey, on the other
hand, can be used to soothe mouth ulcers
and sore throats. To use, roll a teaspoon of it
around in your mouth for as long as possible
(for mouth ulcers) or swallow (for sore
throats). The honey can also help fight
bacteria that cause ulcers and
bad breath.
Besides that, it can be
applied directly to wounds to
aid healing and is useful in
relieving the pain from burns.
Both jarrah and red gum
honey can be mixed with warm
water and consumed after
meals.
n For more information, call Asia
Healthcare at 03-6156 2836/2936.
Targeting the root cause
MANY believe that having joint problems is
part of ageing. Although age will bring with
it some joint aches and pain, a joint problem
that gets progressively worse over time is
osteoarthritis (OA).
A degenerative disease, OA progressively
causes joint damage and loss of joint
functionality. Although OA can cause
damage to any joint in the body, it most
commonly affects the knees, hips, hands and
spine.
The prevalence of OA increases with age.
In healthy joints, joint tissues can rebuild at
the same rate as they are broken down. In a
person with OA, however, the joints break
down at a rate much faster than the body is
capable of rebuilding.
This breakdown process is driven by
matrix metalloproteinases (MMP enzymes)
or joint-ageing enzymes.
MMP enzymes are overexpressed in a
person with OA, causing the
patient’s joints to break down
progressively over time. Unless
these MMP enzymes are inhibited,
the joints will eventually be
destroyed, leading to loss of joint
functionality.
Glucosamine
supplements help repair
damaged cartilage but
are not able to slow the
breakdown of joints
driven by MMP
enzymes. This may
explain why many
patients who
initially see positive
result from taking
glucosamine
supplements later
experience a return in
joint pain and stiffness as
their MMP enzymes take
over.
Therefore, tackling long-
SUNDAY STAR, 29 JULY 2018
term joint diseases such as OA requires not
just supplementation of glucosamine but
also inhibition of MMP enzymes.
Many drug companies have attempted to
develop drugs that target and stop the
degenerative actions of MMP enzymes.
However, these MMP enzyme inhibitor drug
prototypes have been unsuccessful due to
serious side effects.
Nature has produced a solution to the
dilemma of targeting these destructive MMP
enzymes. Biolane, a patented active green-
lipped mussel extract, has undergone more
than 40 years of research.
Besides having MMP inhibition properties,
it has anti-inflammatory and antioxidant
properties to help repair and preserve joint
functionality in the long term.
Biolane is recommended especially for
older patients whose joints have been
degenerating over time. These patients are
likely to have tried glucosamine
but still experience the
stiffness and loss of joint
functionality.
It is recommended that
two Biolane capsules be
taken twice daily after
meals for at least three
months. This duration is
required to allow joints
the time to regenerate.
Biolane is neither a
drug nor a painkiller
and results will not be
seen overnight.
This article is brought
to you by the Nuvaceuticals
Division of Nuvanta Sdn
Bhd.
n For more information,
call 03-5636 3758/
1300 88 1712 or e-mail
pharmacist@nuvanta.com
SUNDAY STAR, 29 JULY 2018
PERHAPS you know of someone
who has complained of recurring
pain in his joints, particularly in
the knees or hips. This person
could have osteoarthritis – a
chronic degenerative disease of the
articular cartilage.
Dr Ling How Tieng, consultant
orthopaedic surgeon at Ara
Damansara Medical Centre,
explains, “Bones are hard, strong
and able to withstand our
bodyweight, but it isn’t good for
bones to be in direct contact with
one another as they can break.
Nature has provided us with a
protective material at the ends of
our bones called articular
cartilage.”
Having osteoarthritis means that
this cartilage is irreversibly,
chronically damaged. The
condition can be divided into two
groups: primary osteoarthritis and
secondary osteoarthritis. Primary
osteoarthritis is diagnosed when
no known cause can be found to
the development of the joint
disease.
“The risk of primary
osteoarthritis does increase with
age, especially for those in their 60s
and 70s, but we do not consider it a
final determinant for the disease
because someone who is 90 years
old can still have good joints,” he
says.
Secondary osteoarthritis is
caused by a known cartilage injury
previously sustained to the joint. It
can be diagnosed even in one’s
early 20s.
Painful movement
The articular cartilage has no
nerve endings just like our hair
and nails, so you do not feel pain
when it is damaged.
When the damage is done to your cartilage
SOMETIMES, as hard as we try,
we cannot avoid injury, especially
when it involves the firm, smooth
tissue called cartilage that covers
the ends of bones.
Dr Mohd Rusdi Abdullah,
consultant orthopaedic surgeon
at Subang Jaya Medical Centre,
explains, “The cartilage cushions
and provides a smooth, lubricated
surface for joint motion.
“Injury to the cartilage may be
due to a single strong impact from
falling, a sports accident or
repetitive minor injuries.
“It can also occur through wear
and tear due to ageing and from
being overweight.
“On top of that, a prolonged
period of immobility such as that
experienced by stroke patients or
an infection can weaken or
damage the cartilage.
“Cartilage does not receive blood
supply. Instead, nutrients are
supplied to it via joint fluid.
Damage to the cartilage takes
longer to heal compared to other
types of tissue that receive direct
blood supply.”
The categories of injury
Dr Mohd Rusdi says that doctors
can judge the seriousness of
injuries based on the size, grade,
depth and location of the cartilage
lesion.
The severity of cartilage injury
is classified into:
l Grade 1 – Superficial lesions,
fissures, cracks and indentations
l Grade 2 – Lesions extending
down to less than half of cartilage
depth
l Grade 3 – Lesions extending
down to more than half of cartilage
depth
l Grade 4 – Full-thickness
A joint problem
Dr Ling How Tieng.
“In early stages of the disease,
when there is still a chance for the
tissue to heal, people do not see a
specialist as they do not have any
pain,” says Dr Ling.
Generally, osteoarthritis causes
mechanical pain, meaning that
pain is felt when the joint is
moved. Occasionally, if there is
inflammation, you can experience
pain even when at rest.
Dr Ling shares that this is
around the time when people
usually visit the doctor.
Since many are not aware of
their condition early on, they
continue doing activities that
damage the cartilage further such
as hiking frequently and playing
contact sports.
“Continuing vigorous activity
means that one does not allow
With mild cartilage injuries, low-impact activities such as cycling is recommended to avoid further damage to the
joints.
cartilage lesions that expose the
underlying bone
For those aged below 35,
cartilage injuries are commonly
attributed to falls, road traffic
accidents and sports.
However, other age groups can
be affected by the same
mechanisms based on their
lifestyles and choice of activities.
As for those aged 50 and above,
cartilage injury is mainly due to
degeneration – a wear-and-tear
process where cartilage breaks
down as we age.
“In severe osteoarthritis, which
usually affects the elderly, the
cartilage damage can be so
extensive and widespread that it
can cause severe impairment in
the cells enough time to
recuperate, thus worsening the
quality of the cartilage to the
point where damage is
irreversible.
“Once we diagnose a person
with osteoarthritis, we are saying
that the cartilage cannot be
healed,” he says.
Reading the signs
In hip osteoarthritis, the site of
pain is typically at the front of the
upper thigh or groin area, but
knee osteoarthritis symptoms can
manifest in different ways.
Diagnosing knee osteoarthritis
is a little tricky because the site of
pain can vary between patients.
There are those who do not even
feel it around the knee.
Their discomfort
manifests in the thigh or
calf.
“To nail down the
diagnosis and provide
good evidence, we
take an X-ray to
observe changes
in the bone such
as the
narrowing
of joint
space,
function,” says Dr Mohd Rusdi.
Fixing the issue
If your cartilage has recently
sustained some damage, you have
several options.
Recommended first-line self-care
measures include protecting the
joint from further injury with a
support brace and resting,
bandaging and elevating it as well
as regularly treating it with ice
packs.
A timely visit to the doctor or
orthopaedic specialist is also
advised for early intervention and
accurate treatment.
If ignored and left untreated,
the injury can progress into
irreversible joint damage
bone cysts and bone spurs,” says
Dr Ling.
Dealing with a diagnosis
There are some things that you
can do to alleviate the symptoms
of osteoarthritis.
Most patients in the primary
osteoarthritis group have a higher
body mass index and are
advised to reduce their
weight to take stress off
their joints.
For people who
have alignment
issues, a wedge in the
shoe can be used to
correct the problem
– especially when
the problem area
is the knee, where
one side of the
(osteoarthritis), with the onset
depending on age, level of activity
and presence of ligament or
meniscus damage.
In a mild cartilage injury, non-
operative treatments such as
wearing shoes with good support,
avoiding strenuous activity to
the affected joint and taking
glucosamine and chondroitin
sulphate supplements are
recommended.
Hyaluronic acid injections can
also be administered to alleviate
symptoms and protect the joint
from further damage.
Activities such as cycling and
swimming, which exert minimal
impact on joints, are also good for
the cartilage. Jumping, twisting or
any other high-impact activity to
Healthy Bones 7
joint could be worn down.
For pain, acupuncture is an
option you may wish to try.
Physiotherapists can reduce
your pain through methods such as
cold or hot pack application,
infrared light and transcutaneous
electrical nerve stimulation.
Besides this, exercises that
strengthen the muscles
surrounding the joints are highly
recommended.
“Theoretically, osteoarthritis is
preventable. However, due to
limitations in early diagnosis,
many medical professionals’
work involves damage control
and symptomatic relief,” reveals
Dr Ling.
n For more
information, call
03-5639 1212.
Dr Mohd Rusdi Abdullah.
the joint should not be engaged in
as these will only worsen the
injury.
For more severe injuries or
if non-operative methods are
ineffective, arthroscopic keyhole
surgery or a mini open surgery
will be suggested.
There are a few surgical
treatment options available based
on the size and location of the
defect, patient’s age and activity
level.
“Among these options are
shaving and smoothing the
injured area, scraping and creating
holes to stimulate new cartilage
growth, transferring cartilage
plugs, implanting cartilage
cells, grafting synthetic scaffolds
and resurfacing or replacing
the cartilage surface with a
graft or implant,” says Dr Mohd
Rusdi.
n For more information, call
03-5639 1212.
8 Healthy Bones SUNDAY STAR, 29 JULY 2018

Maintain heart health

INSUFFICIENT calcium intake in adults is
associated with increased risk of bone
fractures and osteoporosis.
A 2017 article titled Global dietary calcium

and calcium level

intake among adults: a systematic review
published in Osteoporosis International
reported that a Malaysian adult’s average
dietary calcium intake is less than 400mg per
day. This amount is far below the World
Health Organization’s recommended
consumption of 1,000mg to 1,300mg dietary
calcium per day and can be detrimental to
regional bone health.
Women going through menopause tend to
Vitamin K2 plays a
lose bone mass rapidly due to the sharp pivotal role in activating
decline in oestrogen level that weakens bone
structure, causing their bones to become crucial proteins that
more porous. Therefore, it is important for
menopausal women to consume sufficient
are responsible for
amounts of calcium. transporting calcium
That said, consuming calcium alone is not
good enough. The mineral needs to be and binding it to bones
absorbed into the body, and this is where
vitamin D3 comes in. This vitamin is usually
to keep them dense and
added to calcium supplements to improve healthy.
calcium absorption.
However, there are many published
studies that demonstrate the hidden dangers
of calcium supplements (with or without
vitamin D3) on heart health. deposition in the blood vessels, inhibiting
Osteoporosis and heart disease are closely plaque formation.
linked because loss of calcium from the It also safeguards the protein elastin,
bones is strongly related to an increase in which is responsible for maintaining the
its deposition in the blood vessels. elasticity of blood vessels.
Unabsorbed calcium can build up in and Vitamin K2 can be readily absorbed and
harden blood vessels, leading to heart remains longer in the body. However, it is
disease and stroke – a risk that is higher in highly susceptible to degradation in an
menopausal women. alkaline environment. This problem is more
This risk can be mitigated with an The newly discovered vitamin K2 has been sugggested as essential for calcium absorption and pronounced when it is formulated together
important nutrient called vitamin K2 – bone and heart health. with calcium, which is alkaline.
specifically, vitamin K2-7 or menaquinone-7. A good calcium supplement should have
Newly discovered, it is one of the most in the body result in these key proteins make them brittle. each vitamin K2 granule coated against the
interesting and talked-about vitamins in this remaining inactive, leaving calcium to This balance between forming new bone harsh alkalinity of calcium.
decade due to its benefits to the bones and “wander” along the blood vessels and and preventing bone destruction is essential This allows the vitamin longer stability
heart. eventually form deposits that increase the to maintaining bone mass, especially in and better efficacy, assuring that the body
Vitamin K2 plays a pivotal role in risk of heart disease and osteoporosis. menopausal women. receives the much-needed protection and
activating crucial proteins that are Vitamin K2 is used to stimulate new bone High calcium content in the body is benefits the vitamin provides.
responsible for transporting calcium and production and control calcium deposition as dangerous to the heart as elevated
binding it to bones to keep them dense and in the bones. In addition, it inhibits the cholesterol levels. Vitamin K2 activates a n For more information,
healthy. Insufficient amounts of vitamin K2 creation of cells that break down bones and unique protein that can prevent calcium call 1300 881 712/03-5638 3600.

Some facts about your bones

HOW much do you really know about your most people know close to nothing about
bones? their bones.
This hard tissue is with you for a lifetime Below are some intriguing titbits about
and allows you to stand, walk and jump, yet your precious bones.

Starting big, leaving small Turning 30

Humans have around 300 Your bones will increase in
bones at birth but end up with density up to the age of 30. After
206 bones as adults. This is due that, this density will decrease
to natural fusing of the bones without sufficient exercise,
as one ages. calcium and vitamin D.

A surprising composition A new body every decade

It may not seem likely, but Human bones are self-
according to the Journal of healing, allowing them to
Biological Chemistry, Vol 158, remain strong and flexible. It
about 31% of your bones is takes about 10 years for all
made up of water. the cells in your bones to
regenerate completely.
A small space for so many

Did you know that your hands Not so funny

and feet make up almost half
of all the bones in your Everyone has heard of the
body? This allows for a lot funny bone, but the truth is
of varied movement. that it is not even a bone.
The funny bone is the
largest unprotected nerve
Making way for family in the body – the ulnar
nerve – that sits right
When a woman is pregnant, under an arm bone called
a hormone called relaxin is the humerus.
produced in higher amounts
to relax the pelvic joints in
preparation for childbirth. Listen with your bones

Your bones play a big role in

Keeping you healthy your ability to hear. The
2.5mm-wide stapes bone,
Inside the bone is where you which is the smallest bone in
will find your bone marrow. your body, helps conduct
This is where the important vibrations to your inner ear.
red and white blood cells, and These vibrations allow you to
platelets, are produced. hear sounds.