Whenever possible, I like to turn the spotlight on alternative remedies to potentially dangerous medications. A class of drugs known as bisphophonates are best sellers in the senior population.
Older women tend to be the primary recipients of prescriptions for Actonel, Boniva and Fosamax because they�re geared toward stemming the loss of bone density.
My problem with bisphosphonates is the quality of bone they ultimately yield, which can be brittle, and their questionable side effect profile. Patients and physicians have reported instances of �acute influenza-like illness�, arterial fibrillation, esophageal irritation, gastrointestinal upset, musculoskeletal complaints and osteonecrosis (bone death) of the jaw that appear to be associated with long term use of these medications.
A new report from the 2010 IOF World Congress of Osteoporosis seems to offer a viable alternative to bisphophonates. The evidence is based on a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study carried out on a nutrient/phytochemical supplement. Over the course of 6 months, geniVida� Bone Blend was shown to increase bone mineral density by up to 3.4% in a group of 58 �healthy, early post-menopausal women� between the ages of 45 to 55.
In the United States, this multi-nutrient blend, consisting of 1,460 mg of fish oil concentrate, 30 mg of genistein, 800 IUs of Vitamin D and 100 mcg of Vitamin K1, is sold under the name Bonistein Max by Douglas Laboratories. It features a soy-free phytoestrogen (genistein) which was previously investigated and found helpful with other menopausal-related symptoms such as hot flashes. In the osteoporosis trial, the researchers provided the study volunteers with the Bonistein Max formula + 500 mg of calcium daily or a placebo which consisted of 500 mg of calcium/day over a 6 month period.
If these encouraging results can be replicated, there is a real possibility that this nutraceutical formula could be used in place of or in conjunction with bisphosphonate drugs. In the meantime, at least we have some indication of the relative safety of this bone building supplement. Most of the ingredients contained in it have been widely studied over the past few decades, namely fish oil, Vitamins D and K. The only �wild card� in the bunch is the geniVida� component of the blend.
Plant Based Omega-3�s May Also Support Skeletal Integrity
Several investigations carried out over the past 5 years offer preliminary support for the safety of this �novel product containing 98.5% synthetic genistein aglycone� at dosages up to 300 mg per day - 10 times the amount used in the current study. A recent 12 week trial evaluating the effects of geniVida� on hot flash incidence determined that there were no changes in endometrial thickness, hormone levels and other adverse reactions that would be anticipated in those using conventional hormone replacement therapy.
One of the more interesting aspects of this bone building formula is hinted at in a 2005 paper appearing in the Journal of Physiological Pharmacology. It describes the similarities between genistein and a form of estrogen referred to as 17 beta-estradiol. A study from March 2008 adds relevance to this connection by revealing that a combination of fish oil (DHA) and 17 beta-estradiol is capable of preserving bone density. But what�s really fascinating about that particular experiment is that it failed to find the same benefit from a combination of DHA and phytoestrogens (plant-based estrogens). How then can we explain the positive findings reported at this year�s World of Congress of Osteoporosis? It�s hard to say for certain, but it�s possible that the combination/synergism of all of the nutrients in Bonistein Max is what�s making the difference. Or perhaps the highly-purified, non-soy form of genistein (geniVida�) more closely resembles the activity provided by 17 beta-estradiol as compared to un-purified, soy-based forms of genistein.
The information presented today can best be described as a preliminary �report from the field�. In fact, the primary study in question has not yet been published in a peer-reviewed medical journal. But I felt it was worth discussing because there�s a desperate need for safer osteopenia and osteoporosis alternatives for the aging population.
Much of the data upon which we rely in the alternative and complementary community is based on incomplete information. There simply isn�t as much research for making decisions as can be found in the realm of conventional medicine. So we�re left with a dilemma: Do we use well researched but questionable, conventional medications? Or, do we take a chance on a more natural approach that doesn�t have nearly as much documentation to back up its claims? This is an important consideration that needs to be made in concert with your health care providers who know the entirety of your medical history.
Osteoporosis is not hard to take care of if the right supplements are taken. First you have to fix the gut and get the digestion right. Unfortuantely many alterntaive practitioners leave out key ingredients for bone building like vitamin c, Vitamin K2 and sufficient D3 and silica as well as magnesium, boron, b vitamins and then they ignore the gut.... no one will ever get the results they seek in bone building without getting the gut right.
__________________ "The nurse should be cheerful, orderly, punctual, patient, full of faith, - receptive to Truth and Love" Mary Baker Eddy
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800 IU Vitamin D3 100 mcg of D3 daily will NOT be sufficient for most USA or Canadian women.
In practice we find that 5000iu/daily D3 is required to raise 25(OH)D above the level 44ng/ml that ensures optimum absorption of calcium for all Caucasian women.
Vitamin K1 (phytonadione) 100 mcg
In practice there is only limited evidence that humans are able to convert K1 into K2mk 4. Until such time the evidence is firmer I suggest that a once a week Vitamin K 1 K2 blend is a safer option
EPA (Eicosapentaenoic acid) 535 mg
DHA (Docosahexaenoic acid) 260 mg
Total Omega-3 fatty acids 1000 mg
I think most people need to understand that OMEGA 6 is a very bioactive molecule that actually displaces omega 3 from it's place in tissue cells.
If you buy sardines packed in omega 6 sunflower oil what happens to the omega 3 in the fish meat?
Well it's displaced by the omega 6 in the sunflower oil so ends up in the oil you pour down the drain and you eat the sardines enriched with omega 6.
Sure it's important people improve omega 3 intake but probably double that supplied in these capsules is required and it will only be effective if omega 6 intake from industrial seed oils such as corn, soybean, safflower, sunflower and cottonseed oil is eliminated together with the foods that contain it.
I've provided examples from IHERB because they offer cheapest shipping to UK. You may find cheaper options from Amazon, vitacost or swanson's, I haven't time to check. Code WAB 666 SAVES $5 at IHERB.
PS If I was considering the ideal blend for osteoporosis I'd like to see some magnesium in the mix.One of these twice daily with meals would be helpful as most US/UK adults do no currently consume the current LOW RDA for magnesium and most magnesium in vit/min tablets is magnesium oxide only 4% of which is bioavailable. Krispin explains the benefits of Albion Patent mins here
regardless of how much calcium women may take there is no indications that it will really reverse osteoporosis. I have met quite a few of the tums eaters, hunched over, in pain, with degenerting bones. Taking tums for calcium is a myth. Just because it may get absorbed into the body does not mean that it will enter the bones.
regardless of how much calcium women may take there is no indications that it will really reverse osteoporosis. I have met quite a few of the tums eaters, hunched over, in pain, with degenerting bones. Taking tums for calcium is a myth. Just because it may get absorbed into the body does not mean that it will enter the bones.
Rather than use calcium supplements I would rather people keep vitamin D status high to ensure maximum absorption from dietary sources. I do think people should check they are eating good sources of calcium. It isn't hard to ensure you are getting 1200mg/daily in the diet.
then ensuring magnesium and vitamin K2 are available should help get that calcium into the bones and keep it there rather than circulating and causing trouble. Because of the way astrocytes function in the brain (they communicate with neurones by calcium exchange) it's vital that calcium is available but that should be from the diet as these are best utilized. When level get low the vitamin D active hormone is called into action to drag calcium out of bones to make up the shortfall. Bit like using the structural timbers in your house to keep the fires burning in winter. It's an emergency measure and not one you should resort to lightly.
Ensuring 25(OH)D is kept above 44ng/ml should ensure the maximum amount of calcium is absorped from food. However running a higher 25(OH)D of say 55ng/ml allows the body to store D3 so you never are at risk of levels dropping below the ideal for Bone mineral density.
"officially" 30ng/ml 75nmol/l is regarded as satisfactory for calcium uptake but that doesn't include the outliers, Those who don't maximize BMD until well over 100nmol/l 40ng/ml. I think we should err on the side of caution and include everyone before saying or implying a set level is safe for all.
Eating 1200 mg of calcium a day is not too easy for a lot of people, especially the elderly. The good news is that it really is not necessary, especially if the digestion is in fair working order and sufficient magnesium is in the diet or applied topically or through baths. Most of the calcium needed can come from veggies and a glass of milk.. I know that many say milk is a bad source but I don't believe it. Use raw milk when possible and goats milk is best. Vitamin K and Vitamin D3 are essential supplements if there are bone problems. I would also take silica.
The reason milk appears not to be supportive in bone maintenance is due to other factors like poor digestion and not enough of the other supporting minerals and vitamins.
Nutrition, particularly an alkaline diet, can be helpful.
Here is one link to get started:
https://www.osteopenia3.com/Diet-for-Osteopenia.html
I also drink water from a Hydroanalytics kangen water ionizer.
The IE-500 produces ionized calcium alkaline water which appears better absorbed.
Here is a link on animal studies which, although not a health claim, look promising
because ionized calcium helps to build bone.
<LINK REMOVED>
Improving your immune system and getting rid of acid foods and drinks is a plus.
I use an old sodastream. It's still possible to buy replacement CO2 cylinders but they may take hunting down. Some larger TESCO's MAY have them.
The magnesium hydroxide will also require some hunting down. I found some in a COOP pharmacist. It's a lot cheaper than the Philips milk of magnesia and isn't mint flavoured.
Basically all you have to do is to fizz up some water and put the bottle in the fridge. When it's cold you add the measured amount of magnesium hydroxide, shake it up and return to fridge, when the reaction is complete the sides of the sodastream bottle go crinkly and the water inside is clear not cloudy.
Shake it up again and leave a bit longer if that hasn't happened.
You then use a third of this concentrate to add to a 4 liter flagon of water. I keep this in the pantry and use it to refizz in the soda stream as I am supposed to drink plenty of water each day and I find I do this more easily if I've a stock of cold carbonated water in the fridge. My urine did run on the acid side (I eat a low carb diet high fat & protein) but drinking this bicarbonate water corrects that. Urine PH test strips are readily available online so you can easily check.
I use an old sodastream. It's still possible to buy replacement CO2 cylinders but they may take hunting down. Some larger TESCO's MAY have them.
The magnesium hydroxide will also require some hunting down. I found some in a COOP pharmacist. It's a lot cheaper than the Philips milk of magnesia and isn't mint flavoured.
Basically all you have to do is to fizz up some water and put the bottle in the fridge. When it's cold you add the measured amount of magnesium hydroxide, shake it up and return to fridge, when the reaction is complete the sides of the sodastream bottle go crinkly and the water inside is clear not cloudy.
Shake it up again and leave a bit longer if that hasn't happened.
You then use a third of this concentrate to add to a 4 liter flagon of water. I keep this in the pantry and use it to refizz in the soda stream as I am supposed to drink plenty of water each day and I find I do this more easily if I've a stock of cold carbonated water in the fridge. My urine did run on the acid side (I eat a low carb diet high fat & protein) but drinking this bicarbonate water corrects that. Urine PH test strips are readily available online so you can easily check.
Ted
Is there a different benefit from making/drinking this "type" of water over drinking baking soda with your water and taking magnesium?
I haven't been drinking baking soda so I'm not sure if it's as good as magnesium bicarbonate at normalizing acid urine. I would imagine they are about the same.
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