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Has anyone improved bone density without meds?
I have a very problematic dental history and will continue to need additional root canals and implants. I also have Sjogren's Syndrome and want to avoid any drugs that cause rheumatic symptoms. Other issues in my health history make all of the meds risky for me. That said, I work out almost daily, lift weights, maintain a healthy diet, take all the recommended supplements, and get most of my calcium nutritionally. My endocrinologist wants me to take an infusion/injectable drug. I dread the side-effects, yet I'm afraid of fracturing, which hasn't happened over the many years I have had osteoporosis. That said, my numbers are getting worse (-3.2 spine, -3.1 hip). I need to do something more than I've been doing, and am at a loss. I need hope and solutions I can be at peace with. Thanks for any comments or suggestions!
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Thanks so much. This supplement stuff can get super expensive. I'll ask Dr, McCormick if he's heard of that one.
Both brands use Red Marine Algae calcium complex. New Chapter lists it as Lithothamnion, and AlgaeCal's website calls it Lithothamnion superpositum.
kirstenlheld, I'd be interested in Dr McCormick's take on AlgaeCal. Could you share his response with this group after your discussion with him? Personally, I'm a little hesitant using Algae related supplementals. There's no oversight over the ocean and who knows what's been dumped into the ocean or other water sources.
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3 ReactionsI will definitely update everyone on this site once I've had my consultation. The problem with all supplements is that they are largely not regulated, so you have to have a high amount of trust in the manufacturer that what they say is in the bottle actually is. What this also translates to is that often it is the much more expensive, not off the shelf, lines of supplements that have a higher reliability score, if you will. One line that I have a great deal of trust in is Anabolic Laboratories. Their products are standardized just like prescription medication is so you know that if it says you are getting 240mg per pill, you actually are. You can find some of their line of products on Amazon and other sites, and I know my chiropractor carries them as that is where I found ProEnz originally (it's a mixture of Turmeric, Bromelein, and other anti-inflammatory herbs/spices that made a difference in the pain from my arthritis in less than a week of continuous use. It did the same for my mother. But, you can't buy directly from the company, so if you're interested in one of their products, you've got to hunt around for where you can get it.
Most recently, I have turned to the brand Wellena for many of my supplements, but when it comes to osteoporosis, you won't know for months or years if something is really helping or not. I started taking Maca root for peri-menopause/menopause symptoms for example and noticed a big difference in a matter of weeks. Since then, I've stuck with the brand I started with for that as I could see that it was working and therefore, I could probably trust the brand. Much more difficult with bone density issues, I'm afraid.
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1 Reaction@kirstenheld I had similar pain in left hip and lower back and did a lot of PT to no avail. I finally saw this great ortho (not a surgeon) who showed me the x-ray and how a bone spur was sticking out. When I lie down it presses on a nerve and/or muscle and then the pain radiates for a few days. Don't know if this is helpful. I am trying not to sleep on that side!
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1 ReactionNew Chapter says their calcium is USDA certified organic plant calcium and is "sustainably harvested from the coast of Iceland". I've been using it for several years. My DEXA scan in 2021 showed my T scores remained stable with my scores from 2 years previous. I am due for another scan this November.
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1 ReactionThat's very helpful. I have bone spurs in the neck and on several fingers already so I wouldn't be surprised at all if there's one on that hip. If that's what it is, maybe they could shave it down like they did my bunion. I am still hopeful it will resolve on its own or at least won't get much worse while we're in the midst of moving.
Since that wonderful ortho explained and showed me the x-ray, my hip is so much better. I have really gotten used to not sleeping on that side. Luckily my bone spur does not affect sitting. (Of course now I am focusing in PT on pain elsewhere...no shortage of that!) I hope that your problem is similar in the hip!
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1 Reaction@leeosteo McCormick may sell calcium in his office. It might be on his website.
I just viewed a live stream by Margaret Martin PT, well respected in the osteoporosis world, and she specifically said she wouldn’t recommend any of the ALGE type Calcium supplements due to the toxicity in the oceans. That was a new one and disappointment for me as I’ve been using an Algae Cal supplement with other nutrients, as you’ve stated, for the past 3 and 1/2 years.
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