Osteoporosis

Background

As people get into their 50’s, they sometimes get a loss of bone density (bone strength) as their estrogen or testosterone levels drop. This can also occur at an earlier age from drinking a lot of sodas (if you’ve had a bone fracture, consider stopping the sodas) or alcohol. The loss of bone density can result in spine fractures, resulting in loss of height and even a curvature/hump in the upper back, or hip fractures.

Loss of bone density can be diagnosed using a simple and safe bone scanning test called a "DEXA Scan." If mild it is called "osteopenia" and if severe it is called "osteoporosis."

Treatments

Diet and Exercise

Limit alcohol

If drinking a lot of alcohol, cut back as this can wash the nutrients out of your bones.

Weight bearing exercise

Weight bearing exercise increases bone density.

Recommended Supplements

The standard medical treatment is to use expensive medications such as Fosamax (and other biphosphonates). If you have severe loss of bone density, it is reasonable to use these medications (usually for up to 5 years, after which they may cause more fractures than they prevent), but natural remedies are safer and more effective, even long term. As they are also cheaper, no one has paid to make sure your physician has seen the research on these natural therapies.

Key nutrients

Especially important nutrients include magnesium, vitamin D, vitamin K, and boron. Calcium is good to take as well, but is minimally effective (and dangerous) if taken by itself. I recommend a good multivitamin powder or a good bone health nutritional aid that includes all 5 of these key nutrients along with others. Add  a glass of milk each day for more calcium if you’d like.  Strontium (see below) is best taken at a different time of day, such as at bedtime.

Strontium

This mineral is especially critical for strong bones. For example, strontium has been shown to be 70% more effective than Fosamax, and much safer, in repeated, long-term, placebo controlled studies. Take 340-680 mg a day (the higher dose is twice as effective as the lower) at bedtime. Though very safe overall, and MUCH safer than Fosamax, there is a slightly increased risk of venous blood clots with strontium. To put this in perspective, there is also a slightly increased risk of blood clots from airplane flights.

Bioidentical estrogen (women)

Add bioidentical estrogen. Use BiEst from compounding pharmacies. The estrogen patches (e.g., Climara) are also reasonable. Add natural progesterone (called "Prometrium") and NOT synthetics like Provera, which I believe are dangerous. If testosterone levels are low, add 0.5 mg of natural testosterone. BiEst, progesterone, and testosterone can all be put in one cream by compounding pharmacies and applied each evening. Your physician can call in these hormones to any compounding pharmacy and they will mail them to you (and guide your physician on proper dosing). See Menopause for more information.

Natural prescription testosterone (men)

Check a testosterone blood level. If under about 450, a natural prescription testosterone topical gel can improve bone density. (And a lot more — See Testosterone Deficiency.)

More Information Online

Articles on Osteoporosis by Dr. T

Osteoporosis and Osteopenia — Loss of Bone Density

The Safety and Effectiveness of Bioidentical Hormones: Natural (Bio-identical) vs. Synthetic HRT

The Institute for Functional Medicine® (find a holistic physician)