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OSTEOPOROSIS REVISITED OF BONES & BATH TUBS-
by Lynn Hinderliter CN, LDN
In March of 1998, it was my privilege to hear Dr. Lee talk in
Chicago. He was the Doctor who, since 1975 or so, had been the leader in
attempts to design a more natural approach to menopause, and who developed the
progesterone cream that made my own passage through that time bearable.
A part of his presentation I found very interesting related to
the effects of hormones on post-menopausal bone loss. First, he addressed what
he considered the false promise of Fosamax, which was the newest medical
approach to the problem. He told us that the drug belongs to a class of amino
bi-phosphates related to disphosphenates, the same chemical used in cleaners to
remove the ring around the bath tub caused by mineral deposits from our water.
This drug acts by stopping the resorption of bone, and
therefore leads to a temporary increase in bone mass. However, since it does not
promote bone growth, after a five year period the body is left with only
old, static bone, and hip fractures start to occur. The studies done by the
actual manufacturers of the drug show a 0% gain of bone with Fosamax, a 1 to 2%
gain with synthetic hormones (whether estrogens or progestins), and a 2% loss
with placebo.
What has to be taken into account, however, is not only the
lack of permanent benefit from Fosamax, but the presence of far from pleasant
side effects: these occur with frequency, and include aching bones, possible
permanent, severe damage to the esophagus, and damage to the lining of the
stomach. It is also hard on the kidneys, and recently evidence has been accruing
that it is extremely harmful to the eyes. (New
England Journal Medicine March 20, 2003;348(12):1187-8)
See RESOURCES
at botton.
Research
shows that even short-term use of oral alendronate (Fosamax) can increase the
risk of osteonecrosis ( bone death) of the jaw as a complication of dental
procedures.
In 2002, the FDA approved a new drug, called FORTEO, for
osteoporosis prevention, despite the fact that they do not know whether
it will cause osteosarcoma (bone cancer) in humans as
it has demonstrably done in animals. (http://www.drugs.com/forteo.html) Once again, WE are the guinea
pigs that will produce millions for drug companies.
Dr. Lee's point is that most women over 65 have adequate
estrogen, which inhibits bone loss. All claims to the contrary, estrogen does
not play a role in bone BUILDING, but only in clearing away old bone cells so
that new ones can be formed.
However, at the age of approximately 35, progesterone
production virtually ceases, since it is only produced in significant amounts
after ovulation while estrogen is produced during the entire menstrual cycle.
Before age 35 is the age of peak bone production in women: after that, it
declines. The presence of estrogen makes no difference: the absence
of progesterone does.
Dr Lee claimed to have proven that natural
progesterone, as a topically applied cream in a strength
commensurate with what the body would optimally produce, had been shown
to improve bone mineral density in women, no matter what their age, by
15% over a three year period
Following up on the comment about estrogen, there can be no
doubt that adding soy to one's diet is a very important step towards maintaining
estrogen production, since it is high in phytoestrogens, as plant estrogen
precursors have come to be called.
Their effect on the body is still somewhat controversial, but
many experts believe that they block excess estrogen when necessary, and
supply it when it is deficient, thus providing the best of both worlds!
Some may worry that increased intake of protein from soy could
affect their bone density - worry no more: consider a study in the American
Journal of Clinical Nutrition. 2002;75(4):773-779 on
calcium and protein intake in elderly men and women, by Dawson-Hughes
B, Harris SS, where the investigators set out to determine whether calcium (in
the form of calcium citrate malate) and vitamin D supplements could affect the
associations between protein intake and change in BMD in a group of elderly men
and women.
A total of 342 healthy men aged 65 years, who had previously
taken part in a 3-year, randomized, placebo-controlled trial of calcium and
vitamin D supplementation,[1] were included in the study.
Associations between protein intake and change in BMD were examined. Protein
intake was assessed on the basis of responses to a food frequency questionnaire.
BMD was determined every 6 months using DXA measurements of the femoral neck,
lumbar spine, and whole body.
The authors conclude
that BMD in older men and women may be improved by increasing
protein intake provided that subjects meet the currently recommended
intakes of calcium and vitamin D (which in the United States are 1200 mg
calcium for men and women and 400 U vitamin D for men and women aged
50-70 years and 600 U vitamin D for men and women older than 70).
I have noticed with relief that more and more Doctors are
addressing the need for calcium supplementation in women, and Dr. Lee mentioned
this trend also: but he was censorious about the fact that patients are
recommended to take Tums: a truly ironic recommendation, since Tums is designed
to suppress stomach acid, and calcium is very poorly absorbed unless sufficient
stomach acid is present. HCL in the stomach and a proper acid environment there
is also essential for keeping the body in proper pH balance. Lack of acid
in the stomach often leads top too much acid in the body, which in turn
leads to the withdrawal of minerals from the bones to correct and neutralize the
problem.
It is my hope that as studies showing the efficacy of natural
approaches continue to come out, Doctors will feel comfortable suggesting
protocols which are not only helpful, but also not harmful. Until then I will
continue to use and recommend progesterone to build bone, the best absorbed
calcium for bone structure, and Ipriflavone and/or soy foods to guard against
bone resorption without inhibiting bone growth.
In a recent study by Dawson Hughes, published in the American
Journal of Clinical Nutrition(2000;72:745-750), they looked at the effect of
starting supplementation with calcium and vitamin D, and then discontinuing the
supplements. What they found was that for men, benefits gained were
negated by the end of 2 years. For women, there was an immediate loss of
benefit.
What this means is that in order to protect yourself, you need
not only to start increasing your calcium, but to continue taking it
without cessation! This is very important, since the study showed
a decrease in fractures, and increase in bone density coupled with a decrease of
bone breakdown. At the moment, less than 1 in 10 American men or women
meet the daily recommendations for calcium set by the National Academy of
Sciences! (1200mg of calcium per day, and 400/600 i.u of D per day)
Keywords: Dr
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help
Public
Citizen looks at Forteo and Cancer Risk
http://www.citizen.org/pressroom/release.cfm?ID=1380
A
Network for Women,
http://www.natural-progesterone-advisory-network.com
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