Bone health experts urged the public to bank on their bone health and eat calcium-rich foods to avoid the debilitating disease osteoporosis.

Orthopedic surgeon Dr. Miles dela Rosa cited the “dilis,” malunggay, and green leafy vegetables as the best sources of calcium.

Calcium tablets, especially calcium lactate tablets can be absorbed by the body by 13 percent but to those who lactose intolerant, calcium sourced thorugh the abovementioned foods are best alternatives.

"Bone health starts in the womb. Osteoporosis is a disease that can be prevented and can be treated," Dr. Dela Rosa said, in a conference celebrating the World Osteoporosis Day last weekend.

Osteoporosis is a “silent epidemic” making the bones brittle and highly breakable leading to deformity and fracture. It occurs when the bones lose calcium especially after menopause when the body begins to lose the hormone estrogen.

"The prevention of Osteoporosis begins from zero to 25 years of age, this is the peak bone mass. By age 25 to 30, this is when the body starts to lose calcium," Dr. Leilani B. Mercado-Asis said.

The risk factors for Osteoporosis include smoking, excessive use of alcohol, insufficient vitamin D intake, chronic use of anti-seizure drug, estrogen deficiency, and inadequate physical activity.