Is Osteoporosis reversible in post menopausal women?

I know how imprecise DEXA scans can be and am looking into the tests that might actually look at factors beyond density as well. My prosthodontist hasn't detected any signs on bone loss in recent dental X-rays or scan so that isn't a worry at the moment. I'll have to consider drugs if and when it looks necessary. The oral bisphosphonates look unappealing as I have a sensitive GI tract and prefer not to chance esophageal erosion or worse. So, I'm just keeping an eye on things and will deal with any significant changes if they materialize. And taking the diet, supplement and thoughtful exercise path in the meantime.

@callalloo you don't have osteoporosis yet so you have a chance to follow regimens like those suggested by Keith McCormick's book.

I'm kind of absorbing everything I've read that might make a positive difference and hope that it does. If it doesn't spare bone density issues, I'm probably healthier overall anyway. Or at least one can hope, LOL.

I looked up Alive Bone Support. It contains strontium. Strontium is heavier than calcium so it makes your bones "look" denser on a DEXA Scan. That does not make stronger.

Regarding your question, “ Can osteoporosis be reversed in post menopausal women (with no secondary medical issues) through diet and exercise?” There is no simple answer. Osteoporosis is never said to be gone, meaning even if you are able to reverse your bone loss, you are still considered to have the condition.

Although, where you start comes in to play, I believe in the theory that, yes, ppl can reverse bone loss via diet and exercise. I’m not sure why you excluded ppl with secondary conditions because ppl with Celiac, can potentially reverse osteoporosis via diet and exercise once they have eliminated gluten from their diets.

You should look up Mira and Jason Calton. Mira was diagnosed w/ osteoporosis in her 30s and through diet and exercise she reversed her bone loss. You should also look up the LIFTMOR study and the Australian Bone Clinic, they work with women, many who are in their 70s and 80s, and are able to help reverse bone loss naturally.

If you go to http://www.BetterBones.com and on that site search for “Cindi’s Story” you will learn how the one post-menopausal woman was able to reverse her bone loss w/o osteo-meds. Note, she did do HRT (hormone replacement therapy).

The biggest issue is your starting point. I had my 1st DEXA in July 2019 at age 50 and my lumbar t-score was -3.9, that’s basically 39% less bone than the average 30 y.o. (I have no fragility fractures). To get back to a -1 t-score, which would put me in the normal range, I would have to increase my BMD by approximately 47.6%.

Although we would all like to think that one day our t-scores will be on the plus-side, the real goal for those with osteoporosis is 1. not to fracture 2. not to lose more bone. Just keeping your BMD where it is today is a win. Even slowing bone loss is a win.

One simple thing that you can start immediately to help your bones is to end you day w/ calcium. The last thing I take before going to bed is a calcium supplement. I originally started doing this last January in order to make sure my body had calcium available to repair bones at night. In November 2022, while I was researching BTM (bone turnover markers), I found a study that shows that women who take calcium at night have lower bone turnover markers in the mornings thus validating my decision to end my day with calcium.

That's true and a lot of the formulas have that but this is a tiny amount and neither my endocrinologist or orthopedic guy think it's an issue. As with anything with bone health I hope they're right.

I also hope that science comes up with some better drugs for osteoporosis than they currently have on the market. I even wonder if they're doing bone scans young enough because I suspect a lot of girls are losing bone density early in part because of extreme dieting and erratic food habits. I wish there were PSAs geared to teens about osteoporosis. The other thing that bothers me about osteoporosis is that 67% of American women tested have osteoporosis. That means the remaining 33% are men and I have yet to have any of my male friends' doctors suggest a DEXA scan. I'm not certain why that's so because it's not as if we don't see older men who've lost height as they aged or developed back curvature and other issues or bone fragility.

You have a good point. There needs to be more education on DEXA scans, eating habits and exercise for both men and women.

Alive Bone Support has 9mg strontium. The therapeutic dose is 680mg. So that is a token amount that may not affect either bone density or DEXA's.

HRT will be a factor in perserving or improving bone density.

I agree that the starting point matters. @callalloo you may have more success "naturally" because you do not yet have osteoporosis. Even with the most aggressive treatments with all medicines available, great diet, exercise and proper supplements, I will never again get to where you are.

I would remind people with significant bone loss that it is symptomless, you can feel strong, and then fracture, even fracture multiple vertebrae. Meds are the only way to address this kind of bone loss quickly enough to make a difference. After meds, THEN try natural approaches, in my view.

Fear fracture, thanks for your comments. Have you used osteoporosis meds to manage your bone loss?

I've been dealing with this since I was 57. I've taken Alendronate (generic Fosamax) for 4 years then took a med holiday which was extended due to the pandemic. I lost all the gain I received from the med and back to my starting point -3.3 spine (although L2 & 3 lumbar are now 3.7 and 3.9). My doctor left the practice at the beginning of the pandemic. I have a new doctor who is very assertive about going back on meds. I haven't had a fracture yet. I did fall hard on the back deck steps over the pandemic and felt sure I did some damage. Fortunately I did not. I just wonder at our age (50's) how long we can take meds if we plan to live to 90+.

All this prompted my original question... can this be reversed at this point in our lives. I agree with your real goals of 1) not to fracture, 2) not to lose more bone. I'll look into calcium at night. I'm assuming taking calcium at night allows your body to heal using the calcium? Could you send a link to the study?

I was saying the same thing to my husband last week. No where in my early childhood and beyond (school, home, doctors) did anyone emphasize the potential of osteoporosis.