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Better Bones Blog
Dr. Susan E. Brown

Are Asians at higher risk for osteoporosis?

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Does being Asian-American really increase your risk of fracture? Being “Asian or Asian-American” always figured high on the standard list of osteoporosis risk factors. So naturally, one is led to think that Asians and Asian-Americans are at high risk for osteoporotic fracture—particularly Asian-American women who are in or past menopause.

When we actually look at the fracture statistics, however, we find that postmenopausal Asian-American women have the lowest fracture rate of women in any US ethnic group. In a study of nearly 200,000 women, Asian-Americans were found to experience one-third the osteoporotic fractures of Caucasian and Hispanic women, and they even fractured much less than Native American and African-American women.

So, why is being Asian-American always listed as a big risk factor for osteoporosis? This is because Asian-Americans are generally thinner and have lower bone density than other ethnic groups. Yet the study shows that although they have lower bone density, they still fracture much, much less often.

This interesting paradox supports my long-standing position that bone mineral density is not a good predictor of fracture risk. As I have been saying for years now, many factors influence fracture risk, not just bone density. In fact, over half of all women who fracture do not have very low bone density.

To learn about the variety of risk factors contributing to osteoporotic fracture, take a look at my article, Rethinking the Causes of Osteoporosis.

 

Reference:

Barrett-Conner, E. et al. 2005. Osteoporosis and fracture risk in women of different ethnic groups. J Bone Miner Res, 20(2):185-194.

 

Better Bones Blog
Dr. Susan E. Brown

NOF’s new osteoporosis treatment guidelines: Are they kidding?

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In April 2008 the U.S. National Osteoporosis Foundation published its new criteria for osteoporosis treatment, “Clinician’s Guide to Prevention and Treatment of Osteoporosis.” This handbook sets forth their official suggestions for treatment, which basically boil down to two sets of criteria for determining if a person should be given osteoporosis drugs. One criterion is based on bone density alone; the other concerns the assessment of fracture risk based on multiple risk factors other than bone density.

The guidelines were designed to help doctors determine who to treat and were well intended, but I can’t help but ask, “What do they mean?” What do these new NOF guidelines mean for women (the majority of osteoporosis patients), and just how many women would be treated with osteoporosis drugs if these guidelines were followed by doctors around the country?

Interestingly enough these same questions were asked by researchers from the noted U.S. Study of Osteoporotic Fractures. The answer they came up with is quite astounding. Applying these new criteria to women in the large, representative Study of Osteoporotic Fractures these researchers calculate that at least 72% of white women aged 65 and older, and 93% of women aged 75 and over, would be told to take osteoporosis drugs.

To me this is startling and rather frightening. First, as reported by the U.S. Surgeon General, only 17% of white women aged 50 older will experience a hip fracture in their life; 15% a vertebral fracture, and 16% a forearm fracture. Second, the side effects of these drugs are well noted and substantial — and they would be recommend to the vast majority of older Caucasian women. Third, I am perplexed at such a strong focus on drug therapy these days when science is now documenting the many life-supporting ways we can both prevent osteoporotic fracture and at the same time build better overall health. For example, many researchers, myself included, estimate that nearly half of all osteoporotic fractures could be prevented with adequate vitamin D supplementation with even greater results possible if all the key 20 bone-building nutrients were consumed in adequate amounts.

If you are interested in avoiding the risks of osteoporosis drug therapy, know that there are science-based, natural alternatives, and I am happy to share these with you. You can start by assessing your fracture risk through our simple fracture risk and bone health profile.

Wishing you all Better Bones and a Better Body.

 

References:

Donaldson, MG et al. Estimates of the proportion of older white women who would be recommended for pharmacological treatment by the new U. S. National Osteoporosis Foundation Guidelines. J Bone Mineral Res 2009; 24 (4): 675-674.

U.S. Surgeon General. Bone Health and Osteoporosis: A Report of the Surgeon General. U.S. Dept of Health and Human Services, Rockville, MD, 2004.

Brown, S.E. Vitamin D and fracture reduction: An evaluation of the existing research. Altern Med Rev 2008; 13(1): 21-33.

 

Better Bones Blog
Dr. Susan E. Brown

Natural treatment for osteoporosis

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It’s just not true that osteoporosis can only be treated with drug therapy. A natural program of nutritional and lifestyle changes can be as or more effective as drug therapy in rebuilding bone. And it comes without side effects. What’s more, it lasts longer—the drugs only affect your bones while you’re taking them, but changes to your diet and lifestyle can last a lifetime!

Natural treatment for osteoporosis begins with adequate nutrition. If you are currently losing bone, it’s important that you understand the value of the proper acid-alkaline balance for bone health and how to maximize your nutrient intake. I also recommend minimizing bone-depleting factors, as described in our Total Load Model.

Natural osteoporosis treatment also involves a practical, individualized bone-strengthening exercise program, since exercise is an important method for building strong bones at any age.

As part of an overall life-supporting program, you should also build digestive strength, and learn how to enhance the strength of your endocrine glands. It’s also good to develop a program to enhance your immunity and reduce overall inflammation, since osteoporosis is now believed to be an inflammatory disorder.

You can try Dr. Brown’s comprehensive supplements in her at-home bone health program, developed with Women’s Health Network. Get her exclusive formulations along with her detailed lifestyle and diet guidance, plus telephone support whenever you need it. Learn more about the Better Bones Program.