Malaysians aged 60 years and above is expected to double[i] from the current estimate of 10.3% of the population[ii] by 2040! Recognising the importance for Malaysia’s aging population to maintain their musculoskeletal health, which can affect their mobility, flexibility, balance and thereby quality of life as they age, Fonterra Brands Malaysia through its adult nutrition brand Anlene™ introduces ACTIFIT 3X™ and GOLD 5X™, formulated to provide important nutrients for Malaysian adults.
The Social Wellbeing Research Centre at Universiti Malaya projected the number of Malaysians aged 60 years and above to reach 6.3 million in 2040, which is about 2 out of every 10 Malaysiansi. Not only is the number of our ageing population increasing rapidly, life expectancy of our silver population is expected to increase as well – men whose age reached 65 years in 2019 are expected to live a further 14.8 years to nearly 80; and women aged 65 last year are expected to live a further 17.8 years[iii] to about 82 years.
According to Dr. Nor I'zzati Saedon, who is consultant geriatric and senior lecturer of internal medicine at University Malaya Medical Centre (UMMC), musculoskeletal health is one of the key factors in enabling people to live their lives independently and it starts with building and maintaining bones, muscles and joints that will continue to be strong for many years ahead. The musculoskeletal system provides form, support, stability, and movement to the body. It is made up of the bones of the skeleton, muscles, cartilage, tendons, ligaments, joints, and other connective tissue that supports and binds tissues and organs together.
Another expert in the musculoskeletal field is chiropractor, Mr. Calvin Shun, Founder of Osso Bone Care Chiropractic, who highlights changes in the musculoskeletal system as one ages. “Our bones may start to deteriorate from as early as 30s[iv] , losing up to 20% of bone density[v] and our joint cartilages (the ‘cushions’ between joints) may have significant degeneration in our 40s[vi]. Our muscle functions may become weaker by losing up to 29% of its strength[vii] as we age,” he says.
In terms of nutrition, Puan Megawati Suzari, Director of New Product Development, Scientific & Regulatory Affairs at Fonterra Brands Malaysia which markets Anlene™, highlights the importance for middle aged adults to care for their mobility via maintaining strong bones, joints and muscles, which are also necessary for active living and healthy aging. “On top of improving lifestyle by becoming physically active, adopting a good dietary habit is equally important,” she says.
A
recent study[viii]
highlights the importance of both regular exercise and milk intake as part of a
balanced diet. It shows that participants who consumed 2 glasses of milk added
with MFGM (Milk
Fat Globule Membrane) and important nutrients plus
regular exercises had 2X the improvement in flexibility, 3X the improvement in
balance and 40% more improvement in muscle mass compared to control.
New Anlene™ GOLD 5X™ is scientifically formulated with key nutrients that are important to support adults’ nutritional needs and has no added sugars. An important ingredient in the product is MFGM Active™, which contains MFGM - a combination of lipids and proteins that provides similar compounds to those found in joint fluids. Let’s enjoy the goodness of Anlene™ GOLD 5X™!
Anlene™ ACTIFIT 3X™ and GOLD 5X™ are brought to Malaysian consumers by Fonterra Brands Malaysia, a company committed to the highest of food safety and quality standards. Both products are now available at major retailers nationwide and online at our official stores on Shopee and Lazada. Recommended retail price of Anlene™ ACTIFIT 3X™ (1kg) is RM34.65 and Anlene™ GOLD 5X™ (1kg) is at RM38.90.
Visit https://movecheckquiz.anlene.net.my/ to take Anlene Move Check Quiz, a special tool developed to assess your mobility by performing simple physical movement. Or you can look out for Anlene Mobility Check happening in store and on ground to assess your flexibility, strength, bone and muscle mass.
[i] Emeritus Professor Datuk Dr Norma Mansor, Director of Social Wellbeing Research Centre Universiti Malaya, 2018, http://swrc.um.edu.my/about-swrc/message-from-director/
[ii] Department of Statistics Malaysia, 2019. Abridged Life Tables, Malaysia. [online] Available at: https://www.dosm.gov.my/v1/index.php?r=column/cthemeByCat&cat=155&bul_id=OVByWjg5YkQ3MWFZRTN5bDJiaEVhZz09&menu_id=L0pheU43NWJwRWVSZklWdzQ4TlhUUT09
[iii] Department of Statistics Malaysia, 2017 - 2019. Abridged Life Tables, Malaysia. [online] Available at:
https://www.dosm.gov.my/v1/index.php?r=column/pdfPrev&id=YnV4S1FyVnNzUWJlQ3F5NHVMeFY3UT09
[iv] Buchanan JR et al. 1988. Early Vertebral Trabecular Bone Loss in Normal Premenopausal Women. J Bone & Mineral Research. 3(5): 583-587.
[vi] Chung, Aging in Human Joint: Articular cartilage. 1966. Journal of the National Medical Association. 58 (2): 87 – 95.
[vii] Daly R et al., 2013. Gender specific age-related changes in bone density, muscle strength & functional performance in the elderly: a 10-year prospective population-based study. BMC Geriatrics 13:71.
[viii] Daly RM et al. (2020) Effects of a multinutrient-fortified milk drink combined with exercise on functional performance, muscle strength, body composition, inflammation, and oxidative stress in middle-aged women: a 4-month, double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomized trial. The American journal of clinical nutrition, 112(2), 427–446.
