Osteoporosis is dubbed the 'silent killer' because it shows no outward symptoms until a bone breaks and that is the start of a debilitating and life-threatening condition. No one can tell you have it by looking at you or 'seeing' symptoms or even with an x-ray, so if you believe you are at risk then a bone scan will give you the answer. Normally affecting menopausal women, it is now clear that men too are being diagnosed with the disease.
These are some of the key facts that we all need to know about this serious health condition:
1 What is Osteoporosis?
Osteoporosis is a condition where your bones are weak and are more likely to fracture if you have a fall.
2 What is Osteopenia?
Osteopenia is the term used to describe the state of your bones if they are not as strong as they should be but you do not yet have full blown osteoporosis.
3 Why are my bones not as strong as they should be?
There are many reasons for this from hereditary factors to lifestyle issues like anorexia and excessive dieting and even extreme exercise.
4 Can anything be done about either of these problems?
Yes. Both osteoporosis and osteopenia can be treated and your bone strength can be improved. Slowing the breakdown of old bone and building up new strong bone does this.
5 How do I do this?
There are three important things that you have to consider if you want to improve your bones. These are:-
a) Taking supplements to ensure that your bones have the nutrients they need to make strong new bone.
b) Having regular weight-bearing exercise.
c) Checking that your hormone balance is favourable for the building up of new bone
6 What supplements do I need?
It is a common misconception that bones only need calcium and vitamin D, but this is not the case. Bones need many nutrients including:
a) Protein (balanced with fat and carbohydrate) and non-acidic vitamin C to build up the framework on which the solid bone is deposited.
b) Calcium is needed but it must be combined with an equal amount of magnesium and this is usually about 800 mgs of each per day. if magnesium is not present in the right quantity then the bones cannot utilise the calcium properly and it may be deposited in joints and arteries.
c) Boron, zinc and silica are also needed in small amounts as are vitamins D and K and Omega 3 fatty acids
7 What constitutes weight-bearing exercise?
This can of be anything that you enjoy and will regularly keep up with. It might be exercise in a gym or tennis, dancing, skipping, walking briskly with a weighted back pack and yoga or tai chi. Almost any exercise is beneficial if it keeps you supple as this means you are less likely to fall and have an accident.
8 What hormone balance is needed for my bones?
A great deal is talked about oestrogen and healthy bones but all oestrogen can do is slow bone breakdown, it cannot help build up new strong bone. If oestrogen is taken to slow bone breakdown (such as in HRT) the problem is that the bone only stays there while you take the oestrogen. If you stop taking it then you lose all the retained bone. A further problem is that even if you keep taking oestrogen over time, this retained bone becomes old and brittle.
9 What hormone do I need to build bone?
The hormone that helps to build up new strong bone is progesterone. The natural bioidentical form, not the synthetic or chemical progestogens found in the contraceptive pill and HRT.
10 What kind of progesterone do I need?
John Lee MD, the pioneer of natural progesterone usage, recommended a trans-dermal cream which combined with the suggested supplements and some exercise will build up new strong bone. There are now many creams available but look for one that has his original formula and will give you a full list of ingredients so you can check the progesterone level it contains is right for you.
11 What about drugs for osteoporosis?
Your Doctor may well prescribe drugs like Fosamax and others that slow bone breakdown and these can be useful if you have severe osteoporosis. However, the problem is the same as with oestrogen as they only have an effect while you take them and this is reversed when you stop. Also the retained bone becomes old and brittle with a 'lace-like' appearance and is then vulnerable to breaking.
Summary:
The most important thing to remember if you are found to have either osteopenia or osteoporosis is that there is no need to panic. You can do something about it: new strong bone can be built up and your bones can be improved. John Lee saw great improvements in his patients with supplemental bioidentical natural progesterone - no matter what their age or state of their bones.
It is not just a case of preventing the condition from worsening but knowing that new bone continues to be built throughout your lifetime, provided you give it the best conditions to do so.
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