What are your options to treat or avoid it?
Most physicians direct you down the pharmaceutical path.

Pharmaceuticals, such as Actonel®,  Fosamax®, and the other bisphosphonates, work chiefly on the symptoms, by inhibiting the Osteoclasts, which are the cells responsible for breaking down bone tissue.  But these drugs neglect multiple factors that actually cause osteoporosis.

Although these drugs can slightly increase bone density, they do so not by creating structurally strong new cells to build stronger bones, but rather simply by inhibiting the removal of old and brittle bone cells that finished their life cycle. These drugs therefore disrupt the natural cycle of regeneration and reabsorption that is important for the strength of the bone. And, at the same time, they are associated with some potentially serious side effects including atrial fibrillation and osteonecrosis of the jaw.

What makes more sense?

G-d had a better plan than pharmaceuticals.  An integrative approach based on the human body’s finely tuned relationship with the nutrients that support bone health makes much more sense. This realization has led to an awakening of the tremendous potential of nutrient and mineral supplementation along with hormonal optimization in the prevention and management of osteoporosis.

Here is how it works:

Most of us assume that our bones are like hard shells. However, bone is a living tissue constantly undergoing demolition and renewal.  This process is known as bone turnover.

Our bones are made of crystals of calcium salts in a protein matrix of collagen fibers and crystalline salts within bone which is crucial to absorbing compression forces to resist stress fractures, much as the tensile supports of steel bridges provide flexibility so that the bridge can withstand gale force winds and heavy traffic and not break.

Specific cells called osteoblasts produce the matrix (osteocalcin) and attract calcium compounds to form new bone, while a different set of cells, called osteoclasts, reabsorbs the old bone tissue to allow new shapes and structures to form in response to gravity and the pull of muscles. Osteoporosis occurs when more bone is reabsorbed than formed.

Are you robbing your calcium bank?

A very important factor to take into account is that bones are the warehouse of calcium in the body, necessary for multiple processes. Whenever there is a need for calcium that is not fulfilled by the limited amount of calcium in the blood serum, calcium is borrowed from the bones to solve the problem, and unless we have the means to repay those loans, the bone mineral density will start bouncing checks, like it happens with bank accounts, by increasing the osteoporosis.

Sugar is the biggest culprit of acidity in the body while calcium is alkalizing; in order to balance the pH the body has to borrow calcium from the bones, creating the above mentioned situation. It would go a long way in resolving the problem to reduce drastically the consumption of sugars.

Osteocalcin is a protein secreted by Osteoblasts and bone building by nature. In order for it to be produced there has to be an ample presence of vitamin D, calcium, vitamin K, trace minerals and progesterone, among other things, of which most people are deficient. Unless we achieve proper levels, the deficiencies continue and there are no materials available to build enough bone. (Under-carboxylation of serum bone matrix protein osteocalcin)

Proper amount of the hormone Progesterone has to be present to relate the message to osteoblasts to increase their bone building properties. Conventional hormone replacement therapy (Premarin® and Provera®) provides synthetic hormones that are unnatural to the human body and may promote cancer.

Bio-identical hormones, on the other hand, have the same exact molecular structure as the hormones produced naturally within the body. As a result, bio-identical hormones are properly utilized, and are then able to be naturally metabolized and excreted from the body. The use of bio-identical Progesterone has increased during the last several years as women have sought out a more natural approach to restoring hormonal balance. It is available over the counter, just that its use requires the proper understanding of its properties, levels and dosages.

The solution: Feed your body the building blocks of healthy bone growth

Following is a partial list of nutrients and supplements that the body needs as building blocks to increase bone formation and strength:

Calcium
Magnesium
Vitamin D
Vitamin K
Collagen
Essential minerals
Bio-identical Progesterone

The dosages of the nutrients depend on age, weight, current medications and additional conditions that the person might have. The good news is that in general, the same nutrients also promote healthy prevention and resolution of other degenerative conditions too, namely:  Cardiovascular Disease, Cancer, Diabetes, Depression, Alzheimer’s, etc.

Do you need help?

Understanding the underlying cause of osteoporosis and formulating a personal plan to counteract it in your body is important life changing information that can make the difference between a normal life, a wheelchair, or even worse.

Naturally this requires more than what can be explained in a short introductory article. Please feel free to call me or email to find out options available in our Safirstein Research Program that may be the help you need to take strides in the right direction.

I’ll be happy to speak with you.

Abraham Safirstein, D.Ch.