Dairy Industries Jamaica Ltd. has established an alliance with the Jamaica Osteoporosis Society with its Anchor yogurt brand. During this month, Anchor yogurt sponsored the society's symposium. A cash donation will also be presented to the society, based on supermarket sales of Anchor yogurt.

Osteoporosis, or porous bone, is a disease characterised by low bone mass and structural deterioration of bone tissue, leading to bone fragility and an increased susceptibility to fractures, especially of the hip, spine and wrist any bone can be affected. Significant risk has been reported in people of all ethnic background.

Older person's disease

While osteoporosis is often thought of as an older person's disease, it can strike at any age. Eighty per cent of those affected by osteoporosis are women. Building strong bones during childhood and adolescence can be the best defence against developing osteoporosis later. There are five steps, which together can optimise bone health and help prevent osteoporosis. They are:

A balanced diet rich in calcium and vitamin D. Weight-bearing and resistance-training exercises.

A healthy lifestyle with no smoking or excessive alcohol intake.

Talking to one's health care professional about bone health.

Bone density testing and medication when appropriate.

One way to increase the amount of calcium and vitamin D in your diet is to eat calcium-rich foods like low-fat milk, Anchor yogurt, cheese, broccoli and others. Many foods are fortified with calcium and are readily available and affordable.