Supplements for Osteporosis after age 70 - success with supplements?

@samclembeau You can absolutely improve without medication. The real issue is where you are starting from. If your T-score is -2.5, that's borderline osteoporosis, and most doctors would recommend nutrition, exercise, etc. If your score is -3.5, that is severe bone loss, and taking vitamins isn't going to make enough of a dent in that.

I’m newly diagnosed osteoporosis & trying to come up to speed.. You mention K2(7) & I’ve seen other comments saying that K2 (MK-4) is the one used in a Japanese study & recommended. Why do you prefer MK-7? Thanks!

Good question- I know it has to do with the chemical chain length and how long it stays in system

@sheila1964

Would you mind letting us know your last dexa scores, your age and whether the cause of your osteoporosis is related to loss of hormones due to menopause or a secondary cause. Thanks

My spine is the worse with -3.0, femur is -2.3. I'm 62 and I need to (find, then) see an Endo to explore the underlying cause, though I do have Hereditary Hematocrit which 1 book said was a cause of osteoporosis. When I got the HH diagnosis, I stopped taking vitamins for fear of iron in them, not thinking about my earlier osteopenia diagnosis. I'm hoping that I can get back in shape with vitamins & exercise.

I did dig into my own K-2 question a bit (which I should have done before I asked the question...) Still a bit confused, but I came away thinking that M-7 is good for osteoporosis and minimally, that it wasn't tragic if I take my already purchased M-7 tablets.

@lindamarquart
I am over 70 and developed osteopenia, I tried the oral medication to prevent more bone loss. The oral medication did not help and I now have osteoporosis.
I am midway into Evenity treatment (one year, two injections each month). Evenity actually helps build bone so I hope it helps. Talk to your endocrinologist about what would be the best action for your situation

I hate to be the party pooper, but I will suggest that, although you must eat well and exercise once you lose your hormones and are in older ages that the only way to counteract the loss of bone quality in osteoporosis is through the yucky medication’s that none of us want to take. Once we lose our hormones and enter menopause, some of us have bones which are are not able to stay dense and mineralized. I started taking bioidentical hormones and the bone medicines. I am on year three of a five-year plan and it’s going by super fast and the results are fantastic compared to where I was headed without the work of being on the medication. My bones are getting mineralized my x-rays show dancer bones. My numbers are better and none of this would’ve happened without the medication’s. I took nutritional chemistry in college, so I absolutely know how to stay healthy by food and exercise, but it just wasn’t enough in my case.

@loriesco

Party pooper.......I think not.

Pragmatist.....yes.

Hello @lindamarquart,

As @njx58, @gravity3, @loriesco have mentioned, once a person is diagnosed with osteoporosis, supplements alone are not typically sufficient in maintaining or slowing bone loss. Unfortunately, there are lots of companies out there promising osteoporosis reversal through supplements or expensive exercise programs, but results are not always scientifically backed. Some are outright scams. Knowing the difference can be really difficult. I like to frequently share these links from Mayo Clinic that talk about diet, lifestyle changes, exercise and medications and how they all play a role in bone health:

"Osteoporosis treatment: Medications can help"
- https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/osteoporosis/in-depth/osteoporosis-treatment/art-20046869
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"Osteoporosis: What Mayo Clinic experts wish you knew"
- https://www.mayoclinic.org/connected-care/osteoporosis-what-mayo-clinic-experts-wish-you-knew/cpt-20561803
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"Bone health: Tips to keep your bones healthy"
- https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/adult-health/in-depth/bone-health/art-20045060
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"Mayo Clinic Q and A: Osteoporosis and a bone-healthy diet"
- https://newsnetwork.mayoclinic.org/discussion/mayo-clinic-q-and-a-osteoporosis-and-a-bone-healthy-diet/
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"Mayo Clinic Minute: What women should know about osteoporosis risk"

This isn't to say that supplements, exercise and lifestyle changes can't help, but there may come a point where medication is necessary to slow the bone loss.

@followheart87
Thank you for your post. Can I ask how old you are and what type of MGUS you have? IGM, IGG or IGA? I was diagnosed with IGM MGUS in 2021, am 72 and my last DEXA 2 years ago moved from osteopenia to osteoporosis but mild (if there is such a thing with osteoporosis!) and I am due for another DEXA in March of next year. Due to my extreme sensitivity to medications, I am using photobiomodulation (red light and near infrared) light therapy and exercise and no medication. My MGUS has continued to slowly rise every year but is still being monitored every 6 months. My bone marrow biopsy was normal.