New EatWell Guide could put more women at risk of osteoporosis, argues nutritional expert
Following the new guidelines, people in Britain should halve the amount of dairy they are currently eating
'Obesity and diabetes are fast becoming the norm in the UK and are causing expensive and distressing health problems to many. The new EatWell Guide was launched by Public Health England (PHE) to help the public make healthier and more informed decisions around food, to help cut the rates of obesity related diseases,' notes Helen Nichols, Health Screening Nurse at The Ridgeway Hospital.
'Following the new guidelines, people in Britain should halve the amount of dairy they are currently eating. Men are being told to limit themselves to 200 calories of dairy a day, while women should have no more than 160 calories. Although some form of forms of dairy and other forms of calcium-rich foods are very closely linked to obesity, dairy is also very closely linked to bone health and osteoporosis. A woman's risk of osteoporosis may be a greater risk to her overall health than the risk of heart disease or stroke, depending on her heredity and lifestyle factors, and her dietary requirements need to take this into consideration,' added Helen.
She continued: 'For a woman who is slim, doesn't smoke, doesn't have heart disease or diabetes in her family, the dairy in her diet will be helping her use fat-soluble vitamins, helping her build the insulation for her nerve pathways and, most importantly, giving her the calcium to slow bone loss up until, during and after she approaches the menopause.
'The Osteoporosis Society warn that more than half of post-menopausal women have osteoporosis, which means they are highly likely to break a bone from minimal impact. Huge numbers break their head or neck of femur and currently 25% of patients with that injury will be dead within the year. Osteoporosis is increasing because of demographic changes - with higher numbers of older people now in society, as well as lifestyle changes including a higher alcohol intake amongst women – and our national health guidelines need to take all aspects of health into consideration to provide responsible and accurate guidance,' she concluded.
