Bone loss drugs are causing problems

Fosomax, Boniva, Reclast, Actonel… these medications are supposed to help stop you from getting bone fractures as you get older.

Research now has evidence that these medications can cause bone fractures.

Research in New England Journal of Medicine 2008 and J. Clin. Endocrinol. Metab. 2005 have shown taking these medications – called bisphosphonates – can experience some sort of fracture.

Over 65 percent had the same rare fracture in the same area of their thigh bones. And these patients were the ones who had been on the drugs for the longest periods.1, 2

Research also found that if you’re on the drugs for a long time and you do get a bone break, you’ll heal very slowly. Sometimes it can take two years.

It would be better to take a whole-body approach to bone health and healing.

Thousands of patients – both men and women – increase their bone mineral density naturally. Here’s what you can do:

1. Vitamin D3 (calcifediol) is your number-one bone nutrient. Your body uses it in the process of making bone cells.

Sunshine is the best source of vitamin D. But because of winter you might not be able to get that much sun on your skin. So…

Eat some mushrooms: They’re the only vegetable that has vitamin D.

Eat seafood: Everyone knows by now that cold-water fish contains lots of vitamin D. Oysters also contain vitamin D- about 350 IU for every 3.5 ounces.

Eat liver: Pork and beef liver are good sources. Pork sausage can have 27 IU for every 2 slices, and beef liver can have 42 IU for every 3 oz.

Many health authorities suggest supplementing with 3,000-5,000 IU of vitamin D3 per day.

2. Vitamin K is also important when it comes to maintaining strong bones. Vitamin K comes in two forms.

K1 is found in leafy green vegetables and helps with blood clotting.

K2 on the other hand aids with your bones’ absorption of calcium to help make them stronger. You can find K2 in a variety of different foods including egg yolks, organ meat, and organic milk. Many recommend 90 mcg a day.

3. Sex hormones are building blocks for strong bones.

Estrogen and testosterone control the amount of calcium absorbed into your bones. And by maintaining proper levels in your body, the less likely your bones are to weaken and fracture.

Progesterone also plays a role. Studies show that the cycle of ovulation is also a cycle of bone formation. Progesterone levels drop after giving birth, and after menopause, so returning your levels to normal can be, according to one study, “extraordinarily effective in reversing osteoporosis.”3

4. The more protein you eat, the easier it can be for your bones to absorb calcium and the stronger your bones may become.4

Eat as many different kinds of protein as you can. When choosing animal protein, be sure to opt for natural, hormone-free meat and eggs. Grass-fed beef, free-range chicken, and cage-free eggs are good choices.

5. Weight-bearing exercise is one of the most effective ways to increase your bone strength and help prevent fractures. Walking, bicycling, swimming or weight training are all good choices.

Another good article on Osteoporosis:

https://adjust2it.wordpress.com/category/osteoporosis-preventing-and-reversing/

References

1 Lenart, B., Lorich, D., Lane, J., et al, “Atypical Fractures of the Femoral Diaphysis in Postmenopausal Women Taking Alendronate,” New England Journal of Medicine 2008

2 Odvina, C., Zerwekh, J., Rao, D., et al, “Severely suppressed bone turnover: a potential complication of alendronate therapy,” J. Clin. Endocrinol. Metab. 2005

3 Lee, J.R., “Is natural progesterone the missing link in osteoporosis prevention and treatment?” Med. Hypotheses. Aug 1991;35(4):316-8

4 Kerstetter, Jane, E., O’Brien, Kimberly, O., Insogna, Karl, L., “Supplements Dietary Protein, Calcium Metabolism, and Skeletol Homeostasis Revisited,” American Journal of Clinical Nutrition Sept. 2003;78(3):584S-592S