March 31. 2011 11:52

While I do understand that most sufferers of osteoporosis or women, there are a large number of men with the condition. Please note places where there are differences in treatments or nutrition requirements,
Thanks

John

John Raiswell

March 31. 2011 15:56

Hi Dr. Brown:
This is great news, and I'm hoping it applies to me. After 20 years of heavy-duty weight training (I competed as a bodybuilder at age 41, so I have more than average muscle for a woman), I was stunned to learn a month ago I have osteoporosis of the spine (-3.4 T-score)and osteopenia of the hip (-2.5).

That said, there are important factors: For many years, I did not take in dairy, ate a high protein diet, did not supplement with calcium (I'd hoped I had my bases covered with meal replacement shakes), had a family history of osteoporosis (both mother and sister broke foot bones in low-risk activities)and,last year, took natural hydrocortisone for 9 months to address adrenal fatigue. I also had low vitamin D levels for who knows how long.

I am now supplementing with calcium, off the hydrocortisone, have optimal vitamin D levels, eating smaller amounts of protein and even greater amounts of vegetables, and am still weight-training as hard as ever. I have also added more impact exercise (jogging on treadmill) to my routine.

My doctor is vigorously pushing injectable parathyroid hormone. I have declined. Alternatively, he recommends calcitonin nasal spray. (It's better than nothing, he says.)

I want a year to try to improve matters naturally. I may have to change doctors if the debate continues. I'll be 56 this summer. I do not look fragile, and hope that, if my bones aren't as dense as they could be, they are at least strong and flexible--and that will cut my fall risk.    

Kathleen

April 1. 2011 09:29

dear Kathleen,

Given all the factors you have available to improve, we think you have many opportunities to turn things around without necessarily starting with Forteo. (Dr. Brown feels that if a doctor thinks your risk of fracture is great enough to put you on such a heavy-duty drug as Forteo, he should also be taking steps to find out WHY you've lost so much bone -- yes, familial risk may be part of it, but nothing happens without a reason, and genetics are a contributing factor... not a cause.)If you need some information to counter your doctor's pressure to use bone drugs, please see the following blog posts:

betterbones.com/blog/post/Bone-mineral-density-does-not-predict-fracture.aspx
betterbones.com/blog/post/Is-your-doctor-following-the-Surgeon-Generals-advice-about-osteoporosis.aspx
betterbones.com/blog/post/What-I-really-think-of-bone-drugs.aspx

Also, have you taken our Bone Health Assessment? betterbones.com/bonehealthprofile/default.aspx  It can offer you some pointers for where to start. If we had one suggestion to make, though, it's that you focus on your acid/alkaline balance and stress reduction, given what you tell us about your past adrenal issues. There are good articles in our Alkaline for Life section, and we have Dr. Brown's book on alkaline eating, as well as pH test kits, in the store section.

As far as exercise is concerned, be aware that with regard to bone health, while exercise is an essential piece, getting as much as you seem to is not always better -- a certain level is beneficial, but you CAN get too much of a good thing, particularly if you're not getting appropriate nutrients to support the exertion (please see Dr. Brown's blog post here: betterbones.com/blog/post/Endurance-cycling-leads-to-bone-loss.aspx, and her 20 key nutrients article here: betterbones.com/bonenutrition/20keybonenutrients.aspx). From the level of intensity you describe, it's possible that you might actually be doing more exertion than is helpful for bones -- and the amount of exercise you get might, for example, be part of what led to your adrenal issues. We don't have much on adrenal/stress and bones (yet), but you might consider looking at the adrenal section of our partner site, Women to Women (womentowomen.com/adrenalhealth) for information that could help you.

Best of luck to you!

Managing Editor

April 1. 2011 10:16

Hi John,

The blog posts were derived from an article that Dr. Brown wrote for Women to Women.com, our partner web site -- that's why it's woman-centric. We realize that there's a lot more info out there directed at women because osteoporosis is so much more prevalent in women than in men, and that can sometimes leave men out in the cold. Dr. Brown's basic prescription of utilizing the 20 key nutrients, alkaline eating, stress reduction and exercise work for either gender, however. In her 20 key nutrients article (betterbones.com/bonenutrition/20keybonenutrients.aspx), she created a table that offers amounts for men and women where they differ -- you might take a look at that to find the information you seek.

Managing Editor

April 1. 2011 13:53

Dear Editor:

Thank you so much for your thoughtful comments and suggestions. I will study the links over the weekend. I DO want to start taking my morning pH. And I believe I have "saved" Dr. Brown's book in my Amazon.com account for my next purchase. If not, I will come back to this site and order it here.

Thank you also for boosting my hopes that I can turn things around without Forteo. (It's $1200 a month and my doctor is pressing me to apply for patient assistance.)

I will consider all your recommendations and hope to write back this time next year with greatly improved bone mass.

Best,
Kathleen

Kathleen

April 1. 2011 14:12

Good heavens. $1200/month? I can assure you that no matter what else your physician might say about it, the natural approach is considerably cheaper!!

If you have any questions or concerns after you finish your "homework", you can always call the Center for Better Bones and arrange a consult with Dr. Brown. If you're interested, there is a link for Personal Consultations at the top of this page.

Managing Editor