Calcium and Vitamin D for bone density

Posted by ellerbracke @ellerbracke, Oct 1, 2019

A recent bone density test came back in the low average range for my age. My OBGYN recommended calcium and vitamin D. I checked with a family member who is a pharmacist, and she says that the benefits of calcium supplements are not clear cut. Regarding vitamin D, I’m in the sunbelt, and spend at least 2 hours per day outdoors during 8 to 9 months a year (early morning, or evening, sun screen between 10 AM and 5 PM if applicable for pool, beach, for example). I’m sure many people on this forum have done their own research regarding the benefits of calcium pills, and I would love to hear what the current consensus is. I exercise regularly, so my bones get a workout from the muscles pulling on them, if that makes a difference. I think the data I was given is that statistically I have an 8% chance of a hip fracture in the next decade, based on the test results.

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Osteoporosis & Bone Health Support Group.

@hopeful33250

Hello @051703 and welcome to Connect. I see this is your first post and I'm glad that you added your own experience to this discussion on Vitamin D and bone health. I am glad to hear that your chronic pain has diminished, that is good news!

How often do you take the prescription Vitamin D? Will you be having another bone density test soon to determine if you have improved?

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Only 1 a week.

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@asegura

I take Alive Calcium it has Vit D 3, K2, magnesium citrate, strontium.

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@asegura Thank you, I will run that by my transplant team to see if it’s allowable for me. They will not recommend anything that is has substances that are not monitored.

Thanks too, @051703 for your input, and welcome to Connect.
JK

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@hopeful33250

Hello @051703 and welcome to Connect. I see this is your first post and I'm glad that you added your own experience to this discussion on Vitamin D and bone health. I am glad to hear that your chronic pain has diminished, that is good news!

How often do you take the prescription Vitamin D? Will you be having another bone density test soon to determine if you have improved?

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I take 1 capsule a week, and yes they will repeat in 12 months from onset. I am also working on increasing my vitamin D levels even more by increasing natural nutrients.
Shiitake & Button mushrooms
Tuna
Sardines
Eggs
Catfish
Sockeye Salmon
Avocado
Pecans
Almonds

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@lioness

@kahli Let us know your bone density next Feb . Will be interesting to see what it is . I just ordered the grass fed collagen will get it on 14th Walmart had it .

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I only drink water. I got the collagen but I just can't handle it in plain water. I'm trying to think of something that would taste good that has no sugar. It's supposed to really help. UGH. You are better women than me, lioness, khali, et al.

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@asegura

I take Alive Calcium it has Vit D 3, K2, magnesium citrate, strontium.

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I stopped taking strontium after reading negative reviews about it. It is banned in Europe. It has been shown to give the appearance of new bone growth on MRI or X-ray, but not in reality. Different kinds of strontium have been linked to cancer. I have three bottles of it in my kitchen that I'm afraid to take. If anybody knows some good news about strontium, please let me know.

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@kahli

@hopeful33250, @lioness
Thank you for your replies and help. I bought collagen from Amazon, not sure it would help. Obviously I am on the right track. Take K2. once a day, collagen hydrologized one a day in hot tea. The nih (National Institute Hospital) report was excellent.
Prolia warnings say pain in thigh and hip. also possible femur fractures. Since it is injection, you can't take it back! Have had 4 doses, 1 every 6 mon. Not sure I will take it again. Bone density due next Feb. In the meantime added the Vit K and collagen and trying to get 3 glasses of milk everyday. So Feb. will tell if any improvement. Costco now carry's the Vit. K2 .

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Thank you so much for this information. I hear a lot about Vita K2 which is supposed to be very good to build bones but when I talked to my PCP about it she said NO. She says that there are no studies to prove this. I think I am going to try it anyways. Will you please update when you get your bone density test? I do not drink milk as I have a milk allergy.

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@jmanj

Be careful of the Zumba unless it is aimed at the “older” practitioners. Regular Zumba can be extremely hard or knees and ankles, as well as spine twisting and risk of tripping yourself up. I’m doing a class now that is more “line dancing” in its approach. The steps and sequence are reviewed before actually doing the dance, and there are not so many confusing step changes. You still get a good, sweaty workout with gentle impact on your bones. But this approach is just so much safer.

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A physician friend of mine once mentioned that the ER sees a lot of injuries from Zumba

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@candrgonzalez

Thank you so much for this information. I hear a lot about Vita K2 which is supposed to be very good to build bones but when I talked to my PCP about it she said NO. She says that there are no studies to prove this. I think I am going to try it anyways. Will you please update when you get your bone density test? I do not drink milk as I have a milk allergy.

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Yes I will update as soon as I get my next scan done. I also do not do milk - although I eat cheese. I take a digestive enzyme to help me tolerate cheese. Don't take anybody else's word for it when it comes to your bone health - read everything you can get your hands on. There are many books and medical journal submissions about Vitamins D3 and K2, as well as calcium and magnesium. Vitamin K2 tells the calcium where to go - to your bones and not your arteries! It's much harder to rebuild bone than it is to guard what you already have.

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@051703

I take 1 capsule a week, and yes they will repeat in 12 months from onset. I am also working on increasing my vitamin D levels even more by increasing natural nutrients.
Shiitake & Button mushrooms
Tuna
Sardines
Eggs
Catfish
Sockeye Salmon
Avocado
Pecans
Almonds

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It is always best to get our vitamins from food, so you are doing the right thing. Sesame seeds are also good. I eat a lot of arugula to get my vitamin K2 (plus I put kale and ground almonds and pecans in my veggie burgers). The high dose of D3 you are taking is also given to people with MS. I hope this high dose works for you.

An interesting thing about vitamin D3. If you feel like you are getting the flu or a cold, increase your D3 to 10,000 IU per day (I do it in two doses) for 10-14 days. Last time I did this when I was getting a horrible cold with swollen glands the size of golf balls in my neck. After I took the first dose, I started getting my bedroom set up figuring I'd be sick a few days. By the time I had everything set up, I noticed my glands were going down and I was feeling. better! I continued to take the high dose for 10 days and I continued to feel well! As the dose would wear off, I'd feel a little sick. I think I sneezed twice and had no other symptoms! Vitamin D3 is actually a hormone - not a vitamin - and it is very powerful. It works with over 250 systems in the human body. It also helps to reduce falls (by 50%) in the elderly. You can learn more by going to the online Vitamin D Council. There has been a ton of research done.

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@parrotqueen

I only drink water. I got the collagen but I just can't handle it in plain water. I'm trying to think of something that would taste good that has no sugar. It's supposed to really help. UGH. You are better women than me, lioness, khali, et al.

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@parrotqueen I take it I'n my smoothie you don't taste it then . I usually make a fruit smoothie try this you can do it .

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