Osteoporosis

Osteoporosis affects over 20 million Americans, affecting women four times greater than men and incurring $30-40 billion a year in health related costs. It is important to know that osteoporosis is both a preventable and treatable condition once the obstacles to maintaining healthy bones are removed. These obstacles include genetic, environmental, nutritional, physical, and endocrine (hormone) factors.

"The current medical treatment mainstay, hormone replacement therapy, slows bone loss and reduces fracture incident, but must be taken for ten or more years to realize this benefit. Unfortunately, this approach subjects women to a long-term therapy that poses significant concern due to increased risk of breast cancer, uterine cancer and side effects,"

- Alternative Medicine Review

Initially, osteoporosis appears without symptoms. Usually, the first symptom is a bone fracture. Though it is thought to begin at menopause, studies reveal 50% of women actually demonstrate spinal bone loss before estrogen levels even begin to decline. These women actually enter menopause with osteoporosis.

Two areas that are easiest to control to reduce your risk are nutrition and lifestyle. People who consume high amounts of animal protein, caffeine, soft drinks, excess salt and sugar are most susceptible. Lactose intolerance, low dietary intake of calcium, magnesium, trace minerals and vitamin D further increase risk. Lifestyle risk factors include smoking, excessive alcohol intake, inactivity and lack of sunlight exposure.

40,000 years ago, the hunter-gatherer had massive bone density. Their diet was 35% meat, 65% vegetables and fruit, low in sodium and high in calcium, with no consumption of cereals or dairy products.

"Food is more powerful than pills." Increasing dietary intake of non-starchy vegetables, introducing sea vegetables, and reducing intake of refined carbohydrates and grains will aid bone growth. Contrary to popular belief, dairy products, including milk and cheeses do not increase bone density and in fact, offer little usable calcium. A diet high in alkaline ash minerals is extremely beneficial. (recommended reading...Better Bones, Better Body by Susan E. Brown, Ph.D. )

Medications such as steroids, thyroid replacement drugs, heparin, lithium, chemotherapy, extended tetracycline use and diuretics all increase risk for osteoporosis. Also, aluminum containing antacids with calcium added, increase your risk of osteoporosis. Do not take TUMS or some other facsimile as a source of calcium.

There is no evidence that taking calcium without altering the other risk factors (life style, diet and exercise) will in any way diminish your likelihood of developing osteoporosis.

Another important concern with calcium supplementation is that not all forms are absorbable. The least absorbable are the calcium carbonate and Oyster shell calcium; unfortunately, these are the most common sources in the cheaper products. An excellent source, shown to be one of the most absorbable is microcrystalline hydroxyapatite concentrate (MCHC). This is the one I carry in the office and recommend most.

Other nutrients that need consideration are magnesium, vitamin D, vitamin K, boron, trace minerals, B6, B12, and folic acid. Please note, they must be in the right proportions to be effective.

Simply put there is no better way to protect against osteoporosis than performing exercise...more so than any supplement. And in order for exercise to be effective it must be continued throughout life and must be weight bearing. Evidence shows that as little as 4 hours per week significantly increases bone density. Not only does it build bone mass, but it also builds muscle and improves balance and coordination. Improving balance and coordination will reduce the likelihood of falls, hence reducing fractures.

Contrary to what most people believe, walking up and down steps, gardening, performing house work or having a very physical job is not exercise. I have developed exercise programs for hundreds of patients and I can help you. Almost any exercise will have a positive effect on bone density if done often and long enough. Walking is excellent.

In some cases a natural approach to increasing bone density is not enough or implemented too late. In these cases, pharmaceutical intervention may be appropriate. Remember, no matter what prescription you take, it will be more effective when combined with a comprehensive bone-building program.

Didronel and Fosamax are common drugs used to inhibit the loss of bone calcium, along with calcitonin. The mechanism by which these drugs work is not fully understood, nor has their long term safety been established.

Remember, osteoporosis is basically a silent disease until a fracture occurs, so it is wise to try to assess your bone density status. One excellent method of bone density evaluation is Dual Energy X-ray Absorptiometry (DEXA). It tells you your bone density and also determines your fracture risk. This test is very important in post-menopausal women, as well as women with a history of amenorrhea, hyperparathyroidism, thyroid hormone therapy, glucocorticoid excess or therapy, long periods of immobilization, alcoholism, smoking and a strong family history of osteoporosis.

Recently, accurate and effective urine tests have been developed to assess whether you are a fast loser of bone or a slow loser of bone. I have arranged through MetaMetrix, Inc., to make this There is no doubt that consumer demand seriously influences the goods and services of preference in the free market place. Health care is no exception and those working with the injured consumer (primary care physicians and insurance companies) seeking health care services need to perceive these trends. Certainly, a significant trend in those who have sustained injuries to their lower back or neck is a rapidly increasing demand for chiropractic care.

Copyright © 1999 Dr. Ronald A. Weinstein. All rights reserved.

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