Improve bone density and strength without medication?
Any luck improving bone density and strength without medication? It seems the medications only mildly help ... and they only help some patients; some studies show the slight improvement in density does not mean quality bone was built. I'm not comfortable with moving forward with the treatments just because "that's what we give patients with osteoporosis". There seems to be no room for education or discussion, or research into actual results or other options.
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I’m trying to not take the drugs also. Can you share any tips you’ve found helpful? I’m taking Vit D3 with K2, magnesium. Active B12 and L-5-MTHF, and Berberine. I’m going to physical therapy for weight bearing, strengthening, core and balance exercises. I’ve increased calcium, eggs, etc in my diet, and added prunes daily. I’m limiting processed foods as well. I’m also going part time at work so I don’t sit so much … since my worst T & Z scores were in my lumbar spine and I had a sacral fracture last year (NOT from a fall). I am 58, and I want to do all I can without meds.
@plav you seem to be hitting most of things required. Take your calcium/ mag in ratio of 2:1. K2-MK7 is supposedly better than K2-MK4(although I take both).also, you need Vitamin A. Take your fat soluble vitamins with fat for better absorption. Centrum Silver does a pretty good job of hitting the minor elements needed, such as Boron, Zinc, Copper. You need adequate protein, 1.2-1.4 grams per kg of body weight( I have problems getting enough).
Weight bearing exercise is important.
I have learned a lot from reading Dr Keith McCormicks books. I also like Dr Doug Lucas, a retired orthopedic surgeon who has changed his focus to metabolic health.
Right now, I’m
researching eating low carb. I have other health issues I believe would be helped with low carb as well as osteoporosis.
The most important thing to me in treating osteoporosis is to do what you feel is best for you and your health. I’ve had 3 doctors tell me not to take the drugs and 2 tell me to take them. My mother lived to 90. She was text book for having osteoporosis. She was a frail non exercising individual who didn’t take calcium but she also didn’t eat processed foods. She fell on a regular basis due to blackouts( once or twice a month). And she NEVER a broke a bone. I factor that into my decision.
Good luck in your journey.
@plav it is concerning that you had a sacral fracture. I admire your commitment but hope that you will consider the Tymlos regimen we have discussed in this forum. I feel bone loss is inevitable after menopause. You are doing a lot of work. Would you trust the opinion of Keith McCormick, who wrote "The Whole Body Approach to Osteoporosis" and the recent "Great Bones." He does consults. As a fellow fracture sufferer, I was so pleased to be able to tolerate Tymlos by ramping up slowly (never did full dose) and had a 20% gain in spine, going from severe to borderline.
Mine didn’t recommend drugs until I had a fracture. Wish I had started hormones sooner. I use transdermal creams and oral micronized bio identical.
I was cleared by cardiologist to take hormones starting in mid 60’s. I’m having mild fluid retention at end of day, so will dial back estrogen cream a tad and increase progesterone to 100 mg. The beauty if ttansdermal creams are that they are easy to adjust and have far fewer cardiac risks.
Does anyone know if prune juice works as well as eating prunes? And if so, how much prune juice a day?
Hi Sallyj2. May I ask if you did a CT scan showing your arteries were clear of plague (or fairly clear)? I have a history of heart disease in my family plus many years ago I was stupid enough to smoke. I gave it up decades ago, but my cardiologist said it still may have affected my arteries and as a precaution has suggested a statin. This may be a reason for me not to be cleared. I put a call into my cardiologist but his office hasn’t gotten back to me yet.
I have a clear scan. Doctors have to be Uptodate, too, or they will say too risky. Transdermal is very different from oral. Also cleared by oncologist.
Also, I don’t know how long ago you smoked or how much, but between a cardio ct scan and an echo, cardiologist should be able to tell you the state of your heart. Many doctors have stopped prescribing statins, especially for women. Second opinion maybe?
After taking Evenity with minimal improvement, I have decided to get a rebounder (in home, small trampoline) to try to get in some mild impact to hips. I am also researching OsteoStrong. They have studios with equipment to mimic impact activities to strengthen bone