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Diana wrote:She explained that while they may improve your scores in follow-up testing, it is a false hope. The prescribed meds, don't allow the bones to naturally get rid of the old bones, the work of K1. They actually prevent K1 from doing its job, while K2 rebuilds the bones. She also said that taking calcium doesn't do any good, she recommended D3 (taken with fat),and K vitamins,
Your friend is right on target, IMO. Residents of most developed countries have the highest calcium intake rates in the world, and also the highest osteoporosis rates. And yet many mainstream physicians have such a short-sighted (simplistic) view of the issue that whenever they see an osteoporosis problem, they throw calcium at it in a futile attempt to treat it. This policy has rarely helped to reduce osteoporosis, but it has definitely contributed to cardiovascular problems for many patients. Magnesium and vitamin D aren't even on the radar of most mainstream docs. They would rather write prescriptions for dangerous drugs such as bisphosphonates. It's refreshing to see a doctor who understands the problem.
Tex
It is suspected that some of the hardest material known to science can be found in the skulls of GI specialists who insist that diet has nothing to do with the treatment of microscopic colitis.
I thought I would post a brief update of what I did last year (2016) and what I am doing in 2017.
During 2016 I took K2-MK7 every morning (Doctors Best) 45mcg (except for the 4 months I was out of mc remission.)
I was not stable MC wise during 2016. Had 4 months of MC flare. In August I got serious and it took me 5 months to get into remission. The last 6 weeks I have been in a solid remission.
I started Strontium about 6 weeks ago. Like Lisa, poster above I decided to take 1/2 the recommended dosage. I'm taking 1 pill, 340 mg in the evening. I did not feel like my MC was stable enough to start the strontium until now. I'm tolerating the strontium. Strontium is controversial but the functional medicine/MD doc supports its use over the prescription meds.
The last 4 weeks I started toggling between 1 each K2MK4 and K2 MK7 every other day. I asked the functional medicine doc/MD which is better.....the MK4 or the MK7. He did not know the difference although he took one of them to recover from his recent broken shoulder at age 70. He said the K2 is key for the bone matrix.
Diet wise---I decided the diet that is best for me to stay in MC remission is what is best for my bones but I am still eating a lot of protein.
I've done the best over the last year at lifting weights. I hired a personal trainer. I got really lucky and ended up with M.
She was an Olympic shot putter and holds a lot of SEC records for shot put. She trained under the Soviet system, the Country of Georgian system and the U.S. system at the University of Florida. I knew she would be moving on to something better and that she was way over qualified but I was really lucky to start with M. I worked with M for about 8 months and then she was recruited by U Conn as the Womens Throwing Coach. I'd been watching the other trainers as I knew M would be moving on at some time so I then got A.J. another trainer that I'd been watching.
The unexpected benefit of all of my training as that now I am bikini ready at age 55. I was not expecting these results.
AJ is moving to Orlando so I am bummed.
The whole training thing is expensive but I learned a lot from M. and A.J. We used a lot of kettle bells, dumb bells and bar bells. M. also had me doing some strong man type exercises too.
I'm torn on which direction to go because of the cost but I think I am going to spring for another 9 months of training and then reevaluate.
Nice work Brandy! I wish I was bikini ready at 39! My flab has increased since being in remission despite keeping up my fitness! I refuse to complain (wait...I think I just did) Thanks for the update. Sometimes I wonder if long flares are just gonna happen regardless of what we do. Its a good reminder that things need fine tuned every once in awhile....
Thanks for the comments. My flare from last summer started from my own stupidity....too many unsoaked nuts, too many nut thins, too many chips and too much stress. Essentially I was eating too junky. I am in remission now but I'm scared to eat a nut.
Hi Cathy,
Yes, the weightlifting has definitely helped my core.
I thought I would bump this thread as there has been discussion about bone health lately.
I am scheduled for my two year Dexa in about a month so I will report my scores.
My current regimen:
Still weight training 3 hours per week.
Walking-around a mile a day.
Power plate vibration 15 minutes per week (before and after weight training)
Supplements since approximately October 2017:
K2-MK4--5 mg (bone health)
B's (Methylguard plus)--1 every other day--to reduce homocysteine and help brain health
Curcumin--1000 mg (due to pre cancer cells)
Mag Glycinate- 200 mg take in evening for sleep
Strontium 340 mg--bone health
D3-1000 mg per day
Calcium--no supplements--I'm getting 100% through almond milk. I'm also getting some through eating broccoli and coconut milk yogurt.
How am I doing? Posture is really good due to the weight training. I'm significantly stronger than 23 months ago when I started the weight training. Sleep--still need improvement here. I'm staying up too late at night. Stress management--could still use improvement here.
About 6 months in mid 2016 was very stressful due to kidney health scare and pre cancer scare and deaths in family. Eliminated supplements for about 4 months due to kidney health scare.
Foods: I've been able to eat a lot more fruits and veggies--even garlic and onion--the last 6 months.
Concerns: I"m still kind of concerned about my test in April particularly since I was in the very long flare (6-9 months in year 1) so I'm thinking that had to have impacted bone health.
"Lumbar spine L1-L4: T score of -1.5 osteopenia (8% increase from 2 years ago.)
Femoral Neck Left Hip T score of -1.0 (normal) ( 1% increase)
Left Hip T score of -.09 (normal) ( 11 % increase)"
"Findings consistent with osteopenia in the lumbar spine and normal bone density in the left hip and left femoral neck.
My functional medicine/MD doctor called me personally with the results. He was very excited.
Plan for next 2 years: Continue lifting 3 hours per week. Continue vibration platform 15 minutes per week (5 minutes per workout day).
Continue protein at 15 grams per 25 pounds (Creighton Univ Study). Protein will be about 75-80 grams per day for my 135 pound weight.
Calcium--continue 2 cups almond milk per day. Also eat broccoli and drink nettle tea.
Supplements
Continue 200 mg mag glycinate per day
Continue Vitamin D3
Continue K2MK4
Reduce Strontium from 330 mg per day to 330 mg every other day or every third day.
Continue bioidentical hormones.
* I took strontium 660 mfg per day for about 4 months and 330 mg per day for about 4 months. For 16 months of the study period I did not take strontium.
**I was in a pretty serious MC flare for about 9 months of year 1 of the study period.
Overall I'm happy. I think the animal protein and the regular lifting were key over the 24 month period. The vibration platform probably also helped.
Congratulations, those are excellent results, especially considering that much of that time was compromised by a flare. That had to have a negative effect.
Tex
It is suspected that some of the hardest material known to science can be found in the skulls of GI specialists who insist that diet has nothing to do with the treatment of microscopic colitis.
Yup, I was concerned due to the lengthy flare. Clearly absorption would have been compromised. My diet during the flare was very narrow: protein, rice, potato, overcooked green beans and overcooked carrots. I was also concerned due to my narrow diet.
One thing I've noticed on the osteoporosis boards is that there are a lot of vegans that join the club. I think my consumption of
animal protein also helped my bones. http://www.todaysdietitian.com/newarchi ... 6p24.shtml
You know, theoretically a vegan diet should be ideal for preventing osteoporosis because of the high magnesium content, but I think you're right that animal fat (and other attributes of meat) trumps the magnesium advantage because of the fact that meat contains all the essential amino acids (and plants don't).
And the B-12 (that plants don't have) helps more than just nerve cells. Severely malnourished animals (including humans) that evolved eating meat develop a condition called porotic hyperostosis, which is a type of spongy bone growth caused by insufficient availability of dietary iron, folate, and vitamin B-12. So apparently vitamin B-12 is essential for proper bone development/strong bones.
Tex
It is suspected that some of the hardest material known to science can be found in the skulls of GI specialists who insist that diet has nothing to do with the treatment of microscopic colitis.
My experience is that there is a lot of error by the technicians in setting up the patient's body position. My technician 2 years ago did not put me in the pigeon toed position. When I questioned her she said "the machine does everything."
Congratulations Brandy. It is amazing to experience efforts paying off, especially when it comes to your health. Keep it up!!! You're a true inspiration.
Love,
Kari
"My mouth waters whenever I pass a bakery shop and sniff the aroma of fresh bread, but I am also grateful simply to be alive and sniffing." Dr. Bernstein
Very glad to hear this Brandy
As my diet isn't too varied from yours except I eat bone broth noodle soup every day....and maybe a couple more items, but not much! Hope my bone density is doing ok then too! I haven't had a scan done yet.
Hugs
Erica
To Succeed you have to Believe in something with such a passion that it becomes a Reality - Anita Roddick
Dx LC April 2012 had symptoms since Aug 2007
I wish I was bikini ready at 39! My flab has increased since being in remission despite keeping up my fitness! I refuse to complain (wait...I think I just did) 
Thanks for the update. Sometimes I wonder if long flares are just gonna happen regardless of what we do. Its a good reminder that things need fine tuned every once in awhile....
Just teasin' Sometimes I can be highly inappropriate....
