AGING CONDITIONS

Osteoporosis

Osteoporosis

Osteoporosis is a crippling bone disorder. Many people believe that bone loss is a normal factor of aging, most common in women after menopause.

To some extent this is true, however, Osteoporosis is a degenerative disease, common only in Westernized countries, and is becoming more common among the young.

Rather than being an age related condition, osteoporosis is one of the bodys responses to long term systemic imbalance or breakdown.

Factors Affecting Bone Density

• Dietary Factors – Nutritional deficiencies, History of dieting, Underweight, Caffeine, High protein, Low calcium, Sugar, Junk food, High fats
• Systemic Failures - Acid/alkaline imbalance, Poor bone repair, Inadequate peak bone mass, Weak adrenals, Weak digestion
• Extrinsic Factors - No exercise, Stress, Tobacco, Alcohol
• Endocrine Imbalance - Irregular periods, Early menopause, Hysterectomy, Tubal Ligation, Ovary removal

Prevention and Treatment of Osteoporosis

An Eight Step Program for Bone Health Maximization program developed by the Osteoporosis Education Project is aimed at building better bones and a better body.

1. Maximizing Nutrient Intake
2. Minimizing Anti-Nutrients
3. Bone Strengthening Nutritional Supplements
4. Building Digestive Strength
5. Development of the Alkaline Way Diet
6. Exercising into Bone Health
7. Promoting Endocrine Health
8. Considering Alternatives to Estrogen Drugs
9. Testing Your Program's Bone-Building Power

It is a good idea to start with having a bone density scan of the spine and hip before beginning your program. This provides a baseline against which subsequent measurements can be taken at yearly intervals.

Note: it is important that the baseline and follow-up exam are done on the same type of equipment. The best testing scanner is the DEXA scanner.

Resource: Dr. Brown's book is Better Bones, Better Body Beyond Estrogen and Calcium—Second Edition (Keats Publishing, 2000).

New Drug - Once A Year 15Min Treatment

A new drug that significantly strengthens bones, and patients need to take it only once a year through IV drip for only 15 minutes.

Video - Zometa [Reclast] : Once-a-Year Injection for Osteoporosis

Zometa (also known as Reclast), is currently used in the treatment of metastatic bone cancer, also prevents bone loss through osteoporosis.

Patients taking the drug in the trial experienced a 70 percent reduced risk of fractures to the vertebrae, a 41 percent reduced risk of hip fracture and an overall improvement in bone density.

RISKS: Some patients taking the treatment experienced atrial fibrillation — an abnormal, potentially dangerous heart rhythm disorder.

Further Reading:

Changes in Joints and Bones with Aging

Article on Bone Density Scans

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