This appears to be a very comprehensive discussion of the issue. I don't recall seeing this before, so I hope I'm not repeating something that has already been posted in the past. This article appears to consider every angle. The author talks about the effectiveness of drugs promoted for treatment of osteoporosis, and the article offers solutions without resorting to drugs.
http://www.womentowomen.com/bonehealth/osteoporosis.asp
Tex
Excellent Article On Osteopososis, And How To Deal With It
Moderators: Rosie, Stanz, Jean, CAMary, moremuscle, JFR, Dee, xet, Peggy, Matthew, Gabes-Apg, grannyh, Gloria, Mars, starfire, Polly, Joefnh
Excellent Article On Osteopososis, And How To Deal With It
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.
Excellent article, Tex. Thanks for posting it. I'm so glad I only took Fosamax for a few months a couple of years ago and now, even without it, my spine has improved 7% and my hips 4%. I just take Caltrate 600 + D and exercise more. Love, Shirley
When the eagles are silent, the parrots begin to jabber"
-- Winston Churchill
-- Winston Churchill
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Carol Arnett
- Gentoo Penguin
- Posts: 423
- Joined: Fri Mar 17, 2006 12:07 pm
Thanks Tex,
A very enlightning article. In spite of the fact that I have never had a bone density test (only MRI) I have been diagnosed as having osteo. I Take a high quality Calcium plus D supplement, Protonix for acid reflux and Actonel. I have always wondered about the benefits of Actonel and I do need the Protonix. I have decided several times to discontue the Actonel but changed my mind because I have a lot of faith in my doctor. I might have to re-think all of this. I am supposidly at risk because my mother had osteo, I am 66, small boned and light weight. I did break a couple of ribs two years ago from coughing hard. Chocking on liquids after thyroid surgery. Thanks again, Carol
A very enlightning article. In spite of the fact that I have never had a bone density test (only MRI) I have been diagnosed as having osteo. I Take a high quality Calcium plus D supplement, Protonix for acid reflux and Actonel. I have always wondered about the benefits of Actonel and I do need the Protonix. I have decided several times to discontue the Actonel but changed my mind because I have a lot of faith in my doctor. I might have to re-think all of this. I am supposidly at risk because my mother had osteo, I am 66, small boned and light weight. I did break a couple of ribs two years ago from coughing hard. Chocking on liquids after thyroid surgery. Thanks again, Carol
Carol Arnett
Hi Tex.
Thanks for sharing that. I have a somewhat radical approach to osteo, at least as far as I, myself, am concerned. I have a strong maternal family history of osteoporosis and was diagnosed with "osteopenia" about 10 years ago. Of course, to make a diagnosis of osteopenia, the radiologist is comparing my bone density to that of a 30 year old. Of COURSE I will have demineralization compared to that standard.
At the present time I use neither calcium supplementation nor drugs. I am using weight-bearing exercises and diet, with vitamin D supplementation only. I think it is a complete myth that one needs dairy to have healthy bones. If true, then why do all of the highest dairy-consuming countries have the greatest incidence of osteoporosis?
I also believe that it is possible to get all of the calcium one needs without any calcium supplementation. The key is diet - studies have shown that less calcium is excreted by the kidneys if one eats a diet high in alkaline foods (veggies and fruits are alkaline while dairy is acidic), cuts out salt, has adequate vitamin D stores, and gets all of those important other nutrients needed for bone growth like potassium, vitamin K, magnesium, boron, etc . (again, the best sources are fruits and veggies). In fact, it has been demonstrated that calcium is absorbed better from veggie sources than from dairy.
Interesting topic. My internist recommends the "standard" - calcium supplementation, Fosamax, and vit. D. I said OK to the vitamin D only, but then he is very used to me choosing my own plan of treatment and will go along with me! ( I think he became a believer when I was able to put my MC in remission with diet alone - he was amazed!). I will get my next DEXA (bone) scan after I have been on the paleo diet for a year, so we'll see what happens. IMHO, the paleo diet is the best chance for absorbing calcium and all of those nutrients necessary for bone health. We shall see..................
Love,
Polly
Thanks for sharing that. I have a somewhat radical approach to osteo, at least as far as I, myself, am concerned. I have a strong maternal family history of osteoporosis and was diagnosed with "osteopenia" about 10 years ago. Of course, to make a diagnosis of osteopenia, the radiologist is comparing my bone density to that of a 30 year old. Of COURSE I will have demineralization compared to that standard.
At the present time I use neither calcium supplementation nor drugs. I am using weight-bearing exercises and diet, with vitamin D supplementation only. I think it is a complete myth that one needs dairy to have healthy bones. If true, then why do all of the highest dairy-consuming countries have the greatest incidence of osteoporosis?
I also believe that it is possible to get all of the calcium one needs without any calcium supplementation. The key is diet - studies have shown that less calcium is excreted by the kidneys if one eats a diet high in alkaline foods (veggies and fruits are alkaline while dairy is acidic), cuts out salt, has adequate vitamin D stores, and gets all of those important other nutrients needed for bone growth like potassium, vitamin K, magnesium, boron, etc . (again, the best sources are fruits and veggies). In fact, it has been demonstrated that calcium is absorbed better from veggie sources than from dairy.
Interesting topic. My internist recommends the "standard" - calcium supplementation, Fosamax, and vit. D. I said OK to the vitamin D only, but then he is very used to me choosing my own plan of treatment and will go along with me! ( I think he became a believer when I was able to put my MC in remission with diet alone - he was amazed!). I will get my next DEXA (bone) scan after I have been on the paleo diet for a year, so we'll see what happens. IMHO, the paleo diet is the best chance for absorbing calcium and all of those nutrients necessary for bone health. We shall see..................
Love,
Polly
Blessed are they who can laugh at themselves, for they shall never cease to be amused.
Hi Polly,
I totally agree that your program is the best way to go, and I'm betting that your DEXA scan will show an improvement, after being on the paleo diet for a year.
Love,
Tex
I totally agree that your program is the best way to go, and I'm betting that your DEXA scan will show an improvement, after being on the paleo diet for a year.
Love,
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.
Hi Polly,
How much vitamin D do you take? I too have a very strong maternal
family history of osteoporosis; and I was diagnosed with it a few years ago (maybe 6). I've been taking the Fosamax/Boniva, but cut out calcium supplements after reading what you reported about it.
I'm now in the osteopenia range and have been there for about 3 years.
Each bone density score is improved. I would love to get off the drugs, though.
Love,
Alice
How much vitamin D do you take? I too have a very strong maternal
family history of osteoporosis; and I was diagnosed with it a few years ago (maybe 6). I've been taking the Fosamax/Boniva, but cut out calcium supplements after reading what you reported about it.
I'm now in the osteopenia range and have been there for about 3 years.
Each bone density score is improved. I would love to get off the drugs, though.
Love,
Alice
Hi Alice,
I take Vitamin D3 (cholecalciferol), 800 units a day. Some recent studies have found that 1000 units may be optimal, but I am sticking with the 800 for now. BTW, it is the only supplement I take. Hey, that's great news that your bone density is improving!
How are those bassets doing?
Love,
Polly
I take Vitamin D3 (cholecalciferol), 800 units a day. Some recent studies have found that 1000 units may be optimal, but I am sticking with the 800 for now. BTW, it is the only supplement I take. Hey, that's great news that your bone density is improving!
How are those bassets doing?
Love,
Polly
Blessed are they who can laugh at themselves, for they shall never cease to be amused.
Thanks, Polly! I take only 400 units a day in a multi-vitamin. The bottle says it is %100 of the daily requirement, but who decides that? 
The bassets are good, except Belle has been having peeing accidents, so it's to the vet for bladder check tomorrow.
How's Rusty - the beautiful golden? Still running with you?
Love,
Alice
The bassets are good, except Belle has been having peeing accidents, so it's to the vet for bladder check tomorrow.
How's Rusty - the beautiful golden? Still running with you?Love,
Alice
Polly,
How many servings of fruits and vegetables do you get in a day?
Don't think I could make myself eat veggies for breakfast.
I thought I was eating a healthy diet last year when I had my bone density test, but then I don't get the proper exercise, although it involves lots of lifting. The radiologist had told me to walk a whole hour every day, and lift weights. That was almost a year ago, and I've not been able to walk even once since then.
Having worked at NASA, I know the results of the bedrest studies all show that inactivity does the exact same thing to the body as the weightlessness of spaceflight.
When I do go out, I almost always get enough sun, just in the time it takes to load Mom and her chair, and whatever else, into and out of the car. Problem is that we don't go outside every day.
I'm really bad about taking supplements, even though there are some I need to take, like methyl form of B-12 and folate, for instance, since I was deficit on blood work. Apparently, even with the formed stools and no symptoms, I still don't absorb enough B-12.
Actually, I'm better about taking the B-12 because it's sublingual.
My malabsorption problems may keep me from getting other nutrients absorbed from my diet, so that's a concern.
Yours, Luce
How many servings of fruits and vegetables do you get in a day?
Don't think I could make myself eat veggies for breakfast.
I thought I was eating a healthy diet last year when I had my bone density test, but then I don't get the proper exercise, although it involves lots of lifting. The radiologist had told me to walk a whole hour every day, and lift weights. That was almost a year ago, and I've not been able to walk even once since then.
Having worked at NASA, I know the results of the bedrest studies all show that inactivity does the exact same thing to the body as the weightlessness of spaceflight.
When I do go out, I almost always get enough sun, just in the time it takes to load Mom and her chair, and whatever else, into and out of the car. Problem is that we don't go outside every day.
I'm really bad about taking supplements, even though there are some I need to take, like methyl form of B-12 and folate, for instance, since I was deficit on blood work. Apparently, even with the formed stools and no symptoms, I still don't absorb enough B-12.
Actually, I'm better about taking the B-12 because it's sublingual.
My malabsorption problems may keep me from getting other nutrients absorbed from my diet, so that's a concern.
Yours, Luce