Can we gain bone density with just supplements?

@maryandnans
I too have followed a similar protocol to you. I’ve either had stable or improved scores since 2018. Last year I was inactive for about 9 months due to knee injury playing pickleball. My scores did decline somewhat and Dr started pushing meds again. I’m now back at the gym 3 days a week. Here are a few insights to some other thoughts in improving bone health You may already know about them but just in case.
1. I have recently switched to goats milk as studies have shown the calcium is better absorbed than from cows milk.
2. Also started drinking extra virgin olive oil that is high in poly phenols as clinical studies have shown this to be beneficial.
3. Other studies are showing high grade matcha (ceremonial) can help improve bone turnover markers.
4. And my latest discovery (last night) is that melatonin is undergoing clinical trails for use in osteoporosis. Sleep is when your body works to improve your bone health so now I’m on a mission to improve my quality of sleep.
Hope you continue to improve!

@sueinthelou Thanks for the tip on the Olive oil, but more precisely, it need to be high qualify Cold Press Extra Virgin Oil to get the most Polyphenols. It's actually "active biophenols" that is the guy that does all the good stuff in building bone, and that is the part of bone remodeling called Osteoblast. Bisphosphates work on stopping the bone loss, an important part of the remodelling process called Osteoclasts, and by leaving behind a chemical filler, basically that is not flexible bone, actually more brittle and prone to fracture into bits and pieces like a china dish breaks. It makes bones look denser, but it's not quality, and it has a whole host of other side effects you need to be aware of.

Much better to approach the building of bone that has slowed due to aging (reduced hormones being made), and if you do decide to stop taking whichever brand you're taking, it will remain in your bones for 10 years or more.

In looking up more on the olive oil and polyphenols, I found there is one food item that actually exceeds Olive oil levels of polyphenols, and that is the "Clove". Cloves are 15 to 150 times more potent than Olive oil. Using the recommendation for olive oil for bone health is 5-6 Tbsp or approx. 2 shot glasses full if you drink it. 7 tbsp is 100 g of oil, and that contains between 100 - 1000 mg of Polyphenols (not a set factor). In comparison, 100 g of Cloves has 15-150 times more based on the quality of the oil, with a concentration of 15,000 mg of Polyphenols. Just one ground-up clove added to your smoothie has about 500 mg. compared to 3.5-67 mg from the olive oil. Seems like a no-brainer to me, 1 Clove a day wins out. Polyphenols are not heat-tolerant and will destroy their mendicimal value if exposed to temperatures above 170 F, slightly less than a hot cup of coffee (boiling is 212 F). So better added to cold dishes like salad dressing, smoothies, or sprinkled on food after cooking.

You still need all the building materials like quality calcium that is easily aborbed into your bones, Magnesium it's partner at the rate of 1 part to 2 parts of calcium, Vitamin K3/M7, D3 and C too. Food is the best source but may not be enough so a good quality supplment like BoneUp is what i take and doing weight bearing exercises is how your bones get strong, resistance to keep muscles strong and maintain balance, last but not least maintaining a good weight not to thin or thick. Stay away from carbonated drinks, too; that fizz is bad for your bones. Basically, everything we have always been told: eat a healthy, balanced diet (Mediterranean diet is recommended), exercise, and stay active. Get quarterly blood tests done to evaluate your blood calcium and Vitamin D levels, too. Oh BTW, cloves don't have any fats to worry about.

@diddlyd
Thanks for the tip about cloves. I will try everything. Sounds like we read the same literature about bone health and avoiding the meds. I have kept my osteoporosis (hip) and osteopenia stable following diet and exercise protocols for 8 years (until last year when I was inactive due to knee injury). I am sure the inactivity contributed to the 3% loss in my left hip. However I am back on track with exercise so hoping to reverse that loss.
I understand about bone turnover (osteoblasts/casts) and I am about to get my first CTx and P1NP tests on Monday. These will give me a good idea if my interventions are working - rather than waiting for my next DEXA. My other tests have always been good so I do those every 6mo or a year.
I use Lakonico Zoi Ultra high EVOO which is from the same olives the studies were done on (1,397mg/kg) I drink it and put it on vegetables and salads. I understand about the quantities and not to cook with it.
I make sure I get the correct balance between calcium and magnesium primarily from food. If I fall short I do take a supplement. I use Cronmeter App to track all my nutrients to make sure I hitting the correct amounts of everything. Also keeping a fairly low oxalate diet to ensure the calcium can be absorbed.
I never drink carbonated drinks. Haven’t in years. Even before my diagnosis.
I follow Sherri Betz and Margaret Martin for my exercise program. I also do osteogenic loading.
Some days I feel like it’s a full time job keeping on top of everything but totally worth it to avoid the meds. A lot it people do well on them but I don’t want to chance the side effects if I can avoid it. Take care and if you have any more good tips I’m all ears 🙂

@frog100: Tai Chi is a safe way to add upper body work-out that might work for you. I have added this to my regime for osteoporosis treatment -45min 1/week. It has been helpful in regaining upper body strength in an easy, fun way. I just finished 12 mo of Evenity & eager to see results of DEXA scan mid-summer (doc says it continues to work in system for several months after 12mo).

@dbamos1945
Assuming insurance does not cover Evenity, so I hear, may I ask what the monthly cash cost is for it? Thank you.

All the best programs for osteoporosis emphasize exercise, especially adding resistance and weights to a good walking routine…dancing is fun, even in your living space when alone, with music that inspires you to move.

Any recommendations for store brand cold press EVOO?