Results of bone health research bared

MANILA, Philippines - Did you know that at age 25 bones start breaking down?

Yet, the sad truth is that bone health is largely unrecognized as a health issue in the Philippines. A recent report from the International Osteoporosis Foundation (IOF) concluded that the average dietary calcium intake for adults in the Philippines was 450 mg/day, which is below the DOH recommended calcium intake of 750-800 mg/day.

Vitamin D is a key component to maintaining bone health as it is responsible for calcium absorption.

The IOF reported that among women in the Philippines, the prevalence of insufficiency was as high as 50 percent. Further research also shows that bone breakdown can begin at age 25.

A new study has shown that drinking Anlene significantly reduces the amount of bone loss in post-menopausal Filipino women within four weeks.

Anlene, Fonterra’s high calcium adult milk brand in the Philippines, is the only product shown to have achieved such effective results within this short time frame.

Manila research

The research, conducted in Manila by Dr. Julie Li-Yu of the Center of Rheumatology and Osteoporosis of UST and Dr. Imelda Agdeppa of the Food and Nutrition Research Institute of the Department of Science and Technology, monitored 60 women, at least five years post-menopause.

Thirty women chosen at random were given two servings a day of Anlene Hi-Calcium Milk and the remaining 30 were given a placebo control rice milk drink with 10 percent skimmed milk powder, twice a day over 16 weeks.

“The study showed that Anlene had a rapid effect and was better at regulating and reducing calcium loss and bone breakdown. In less than four weeks, the rate of breakdown of the patient’s bones was reduced and within eight weeks, participant’s bone turnover was significantly lowered. The vitamin D status among the Anlene drinkers also improved within 16 weeks,” says Louise Chavez-Yu, senior brand manager of Anlene.

“This latest study again shows the scientifically proven benefits of consuming Anlene. Working alongside Massey University in New Zealand, Anlene is uncovering and applying the latest in bone health research to its product range in the Philippines,” Chavez-Yu adds.

More importantly, the study concluded that those who consumed Anlene showed a significant improvement of vitamin D status in 89 percent of women by 16 weeks (compared to 10 percent of those consuming the control product).

The results of the study were launched by Sen. Pia Cayetano, who has been the bone health ambassador for Anlene.

The study was also published in the prestigious bone health journal “Bone” in its February 2010 issue.

Committed to bone health

Fonterra has a long-standing commitment to understanding bone health and the impact this has on individuals and communities and has been active in researching and promoting bone health in Asia for over 10 years.

It has spent more than $50 million on bone health research and $14 million directly on the development of Anlene. 

Over the past 12 years, Anlene has funded and has been involved in 18 clinical trials relating to bone health.

Anlene has a range of dairy products specially formulated for adults’ optimal bone health and contains more calcium than regular fresh milk. 

Anlene is suitable for adults aged 19 and above. There is Anlene Regular for 19 to 50 years old, and Anlene Gold for those over 50.

It is good to start to care for your bones at an early age since bones are living tissues that go through a constant breakdown and renewal process. However, from age 30, bone breakdown begins to outweigh the rebuilding process, increasing the risk of developing osteoporosis. It is important not to wait until it is too late.

A glass of high-calcium Anlene (four scoops) contains 500 mg of calcium. Drinking two glasses of high-calcium milk a day ensures that you are meeting your daily calcium needs. 

Anlene is available in all major supermarkets, hypermarkets and provision stores nationwide.