Do you mean only supplements, or are you making changes to your diet and doing weight bearing exercise as well?

I think the key to bone health is that there is no "one fix" - not supplements, not meds, not just diet. It is a combination approach.

My Mom was at HIGH risk for sever osteoporosis - long family history & years on steroids due to severe rheumatoid arthritis. But, she was very physically active, did a lot of weight-lifting in her work, ate well and took her calcium. She did not suffer clinical osteoporosis until in her 80's, after a series of strokes made her sedentary and her appetite declined so she wasn't eating healthy. Her sisters, who never did much physical exertion, and always were finicky eaters/weight watchers (even though they were thin) both had severe osteoporosis by their early 70's.

Now in my 70's, I am seeing the same pattern repeat with my sisters and cousins - the doers and healthy eaters are doing better than the sitters and picky eaters.

What is your total regimen to stay off the meds?
Sue

I maintained and improved, going from osteoporosis to osteopenia to NORMAL with diet (lots of fruits veggies, including dark leafy greens and very light strength training 3 or more times a week. Vit D. No meds.

I did try that and it did not work for me. I had an already healthy diet (all organic and plant based) and exercised regularly including hiking, dance and weight training. When I found out I had osteoporosis at 57 years old, I was shocked but determined to improve naturally. I increased my exercise (weight training 3x/week, walking and hiking daily, standing desk, heel bumps, etc) and had a combined calcium intake of food and supplements to make sure I got my 1200mg with all the supportive nutrients. I continued to eat only whole foods as before. I monitored it all very closely to make sure I was doing all the right things. I was 100% committed. I ended up losing a *lot* more bone and had to finally go on meds.
Physiologically, at menopause and after, it's almost impossible to increase your bone density naturally. Your osteoclasts outrun your osteoblasts. It's just nature. There may be individual stories of "success" but they are few and far between. One thing to take note of when looking at your dexa score is that arthritis can show up as greater bone density in your spine so it's really difficult to gauge success on increasing bone density. In addition, if you are taking strontium, that can potentially skew results. It takes the place of calcium in your bones as it weighs more than calcium so it appears that your density has increased. Whether that's a good thing or not, I don't know as the information on strontium is often conflicting and confusing. It's all very complex and challenging so we have to make our own decisions on how to address our own situation.

bettersleep68.....yes me too journey is challenging, supplements and exercise have to be tailored to an individual daily program. Not easy to figure out the bone's requirements. Stay the course, and don't give up, that right doctor should work with you and has enough bone knowledge for safe and effective therapies discussion, or else find someone else. My osteoporosis approach at 72 is no meds or dangerous bone pills. My tailored recipe for bone health now: 3-4 times a week LA fitness weight-bearing exercises, 50 minutes each time, 7,500-10,000 walking steps a day, good nutrition, bone supplements. Most importantly, been using low-dose bioidentical testosterone creme applied to the lower spine. Have a consult in February to look at recent DEXA/TBS numbers and re-evaluate our bone plan approach. Lab results - my hormones were very low (estrogen, testosterone), and needed to be balanced with the right dose, route and type, and low hormones are the cause of bone loss for me, no other underlying condition. Hope this is helpful. Exploring different safe treatment options to stop the bone loss is a worthwhile conversation with a doctor. I have an integrative MD.

I have tried to take Fosamax twice and both times felt horrible, I just don’t tolerate western drugs.
So…I have ordered strontium citrate and a supplement by Primal Harvest that has the good calcium, d2, k2, boron and magnesium.
My doctor won’t be happy but I am going the natural route first.