The Risks and Benefits of Taking Bone Thinning Drugs like Fosamax

Osteopenia means your bone density is lower than doctors would like. The bone condition is not serious enough to be diagnosed as Osteoporosis. Many doctors are prescribing drugs to prevent more bone loss but is that necessary? All drugs come with serious side effects and you should weigh the risk versus the benefits before you take your first dose.

New Research Conclusions: Dr. Susan Ott, MD, a renowned metabolic bone specialist, is one of the leading researchers in this field. She comes with expert knowledge as professor of medicine at the University of Washington in Seattle. In her opinion, Osteopenia is not uncommon in older women. It is not a disease in reality but a gauge of the bone tissue health. In her educated opinion, she feels the use of drugs like Fosamax, Boniva, Actonel, and Reclast are not needed and very dangerous. These drugs with their side effects may in the end, make a woman's condition worse not better. How do they make the condition worse? It causes the very problem, fractures, that the drug is given to prevent. The side effects are serious as well.

Older Research Flaws: They tested women in their 20's when bone mass is greatest. They took the women with the lowest readings from that group and classed them as having Osteopenia. These women in reality were not sick, just less healthy than the rest. It should be noted that women in that age group often don't eat properly. Soda, junk food, and Calcium poor foods tend to be the norm not the exception. Strong bones need good nutrition. Junk food is causing problems is all of our young people including vitamin deficiencies, diabetes, obesity, and poor health. What they need is to be given advice on improving their nutrition not drugs.

The Danger of Bisphosphonate Drugs: Drugs such as Boniva come with nasty side effects including upper GI tract irritation and problems; esophageal ulceration; increased risk for fracture after 5 years; jaw bone death after dental surgery or dental extractions; joint and muscle pain; headaches; constipation, diarrhea, and excess gas.

Should Anyone Take These Drugs? Dr. Susan Ott advises that women and men take these drugs when diagnosed with advanced osteoporosis; patients with spinal vertebral compression fractures; and patients who have suffered fractures.

How to Take Bisphosphonates Safely: Take these drugs in the morning on an empty stomach, 30 minutes before eating breakfast, drinking, or taking medicine or vitamins. To prevent heartburn, don't lie down for at least 30 minutes. If you miss your dose in the morning, don't take it in the afternoon. Wait until the next day to begin the regimen. You do need to take a Calcium and Vitamin D supplement while taking these drugs but do not take them at the same time as the drugs. Calcium interferes with the absorption of the drugs.

How is Osteopenia and Osteoporosis Prevented?

Avoid being too thin which greatly raises the risk for bone thinning problems. A little padding helps when you fall. Hormones found in fat tissue help bone strength.

Women need 1,200 mg of Calcium per day. Calcium is not created equal. Dolomite, Oyster Shell, and Calcium Carbonate are all poor sources for Calcium. They need hydrochloric acid to break them down. Often those sources may be contaminated with lead as well. Capsules rather than tablets are easier to digest for most people.

Vitamin D is important to bone health. It is advised that your diet should include from 800 to 1000 IU daily of Vitamin D.

Weight-bearing exercise practiced everyday will help prevent and slow down bone thinning. Exercise helps the whole body in so many different ways from balancing out hormones to relieving stress. It is important to realize that not all exercise is as valuable for the bone thinning issue.

Other Factors: Smoking, soft drinks, and excessive alcohol all contribute to bone thinning. If you are white or Asian; have genetic bone problem factors; or poor nutrition, you are at greater risk for losing bone density.

References:

http://faculty.washington.edu/smott/
http://www.artofaging.org/experts/ott.html
http://www.webmd.com/osteoporosis/bisphosphonates-for-osteoporosis
http://www.webmd.com/osteoporosis/tc/osteopenia-overview
http://www.wrongdiagnosis.com/sym/osteopenia.htm