Hi all,
Has anyone exeprienced an improvement in bone density test results without taking medication, e.g., through diet, exercise, etc., only?
My endocrinologist does not think diet and exercise help much; she is is a stong proponent of Forteo, which I have decided not to take at this point. Would love to hear from anyone about positive results from improvements in diet and exercise, either your own, someone else's or in studies.
Thanks,
Uma
Hi,
I know one person, my sister who had some improvement. She is 75 years old and started doing pilates exercise twice a week and a diet of brown rice, veggies and some meat, fish and chichen, no sweets. She started that 2 years ago, she feels much better that she enrolled in college for fun, goes on cruises, she is not healed of osteo but she feels much better. And her dexa scan says she did not get worse.
I still don't see your diet being anything other than vegies, almonds, water and supplements coupled with occasional beef substitutes. I think you are lucky in that your bone density appears to be improving with this diet. I do question your original osteoporosis diagnosis though. Your caloric intake is also quite low. I don't now if this would be feasible for most of us. And running marathons??? I don't think so! Michele
Honestly I believe it depends on the reason for someone's Osteo... some who have a secondary reason for it may not fair as well by exercise and diet alone... someone who is sedentary such as someone who is a older age range might do better if they start with some exercise and eating a rounded diet.
We don't all come to this disease on the same path... some may require additional help.
I have this due to a kidney hereditary factor... diet and exercise isn't going to correct my depletion of calcium. Not sure what the end result will be as I'm not expecting that huge of a leap even with the Forteo... makes me think twice.. unless it keeps the score from going any lower... but I'm not thrilled with a -3.8 now...sigh... for some if it's lack of exercise and poor eating habits, cigarettes & drinking maybe a change in diet and exercise will help... along with healthy living... we need to find out why we have it first... my doc originally stated that it didn't matter why, just treat it ...but I found out by going to a endo and now it changes her perspective on things...
Heid:
Who are you taking about in your post. Is it the woman K. Alford with the website. I just do not have time to go on a million different websites. Does she on her website discuss independently verifiable clinical trials using her diet ? If not, that is a problem. An old NOF pamphlet states without estrogen you will not gain bone mass. Why NOF didn't mention any drugs is beyond me since Fossamax was in existence then.
A book I got on Amazon that was rec by someone on this chat is Better Bones Better Body by Susan Brown and she has a no-medication approach that has some documentation and critical analysis behind it. She however does not rule out the possibility that you may need drugs. She is recommending primarily nutrition and exercise, but she has some interesting theories - one of which is that there are many causes of bone loss including chronic stress. It is worth a read and on Amazon you can get used copies. Gloucester
I'm adult onset growth hormone dificent. In about a year of GH, I'm no longer osteoporotic in my lumbar spine. I'm also looking into Fosteum.
I also make soup from scratch with bones and chicken carcasses. It's loaded with minerals.
Gloucester:
Please visit NOF's website and see all the information that is available re: medications -- the types, how each type works, etc. It is a great resource!
Lucy Buckley PT aka Mother Goose
Dear Gloucester, Yes, I was talking about Kathy Alford who says her osteo is reversed by changing her diet to vegies, almonds, water, etc. and running marathons. I think we'd have to look at her previous diet and lifestyle before we can say that she's reversed her osteo by just changing her diet. I will look for the book you mentioned, Better Bones Better Body; educating ourselves is essential. I agree that there are probably many causes for bone loss. I took Premarin for 18 years; this was supposed to prevent osteo. Imagine my surprise when it was discovered that I had lost 2" in height; subsequent Dexa scan scores were so bad that they brought me to tears! I was in my early 50s when this was diagnosed. I'm just about willing to try anything, vitamins, exercise, AND prescription drugs so that I don't end up crippled and in a wheel chair like both of my grandmas and my mother.
Sport:
I want to talk you very much for telling the list about Dr. Lavin. I went to him and I am more comfortable with him than any other doctor I see. I just hope he can help me even if I do not have a growth hormone deficiency. Also would love to hear the recipe for your soup. Gloucester
Heid:
Yes get that book (used on Amazon is cheaper) and if you want to consult with Susan Brown herself you can. I was told the 1 hr consult on the phone is $150. You'll need to call the number of her foundation to set it up. I believe the phone number is in the book or on her website. Just Google Susan Brown osteoporosis to get it; the site has a name similar to her book. Well before the consult gather up all DEXA printouts, all blood and urine test results and anything else you think may be useful and send them to Susan. They will explain all of that on the phone. I'm thinking of doing it myself. There's about a 3 month wait I think. Gloucester
Heid.....I trust that you are keeping a watch in your health in all areas...since you were on that drug for 18 years..........please make sure you have pap smears and breast ultra sounds........
Hi Uma,
I, too, have decided not to take any drugs for osteo. I took Actonel for 3 years and my bone density did not improve but declined. I did extensive internet research on bisphosphonates like Actonel and what they really do to your bones and decided not to risk it. My plan, although admittedly I haven't been motivated to start yet, although I am fairly active already, is to improve my bones by weight training twice a week, getting enough calcium, vitamin D and magnesium, etc., and trying to get weight bearing exercise. It is hard to get motivated to do those things, but I feel that if I choose not to take the drugs, I really do need to do whatever else I can. I have known people who have done these things and their bone density has improved without drugs. That's the plan!
Zusano,
Would you feel comfortable sharing your bone density test results?
I would love to ditch the actonel 35 mg (which I have been on for 4 years or so). However, with my spine -3.8 and not much time (given other responsibilities) to devote to exercise, cooking, etc., do not feel comfortable making that leap right now.
My spine went from -3.2 to -3.8 in two years (admittedly a time of extreme stress on caretaking and other fronts), but I wonder if it would have been worse without the actonel.
Thanks so much,
Uma
Uma
Listen to your Endocrinologist and look for things on this website that Windblown has entered - she is very sharp and has alot of knowledge about Forteo. There is no way on earth you can change Osteoporosis with just diet and exercise. No way!!!! I take Forteo as my Endocrinologist said if it were his mother, sister, daughter this is what he would recommend. This is a serious condition and Forteo is the serious heavy hitter drug that actually builds bone. You could write to Eli Lily and get their video and it will show you exactly what it does - it is life saving - that simple!
I agree with Hofffazio! I'm not convinced that diet and exercise alone will reverse this horrible situation. I absolutely do not want to end up like my mother and grandmothers, humped over or in a wheelchair in their seventies. I wish everyone who wants to try the 'natural' way good luck in their journey but for me, I'm sticking with Forteo and whatever else my endocrinologst suggests over the years. He also is into vitamins, nutrition and exercise, so I feel confident that he has not been 'bought' by the drug companies. Michele
hofffazio, heid, uma, & others,
I agree with hofffazio that diet and exercise alone will not reverse osteoporosis. For women like me with post menopausal osteoporosis and no known secondary causes, hormone loss plays a major role in bone loss.
I tried Fosamax for seven months and it made me quite ill. I will not try another bisphosphonate, as I think that whole class of drugs is dangerous.
I've never tried hormone replacement therapy (HRT). The bisphosphonates had become the drug of choice by the time my osteoporosis was discovered less than two years ago. Recently, I learned there is a low-dose estrogen patch called Menostar.
My understanding of Forteo is that you must have tried another drug first for insurance companies to cover it. I have heard that many people have had good results, but they can take the daily injections for only two years and then must go on another drug.
I am currently taking strontium citrate, calcium/magnesium, a multivitamin with 1000 I.U. vitamin D, and other supplements. I am hoping the strontium works for me as it has for many others.
BoneLady:
I always learn a lot from your posts. Perhaps I can help you.
You may want to increase your input of Vit. D3.
(D3 is said to be much better than D) to four or five thousand I.U. i have been told by many sources that, according to recent studies, larger doses of D3 are very important for our bones.
Uma,
My last bone density was in 2007. Total T-score of hip was -2.0. Total T-score of spine was -3.2. On Actonel, I went from just being osteopenic to osteoporosis in my spine. My understanding is that bone mineral density is only one way to assess the strength of a bone. If you go to shef.ac.uk/FRAX, you can get a free fracture risk assessment. The drugs are to prevent fractures. Also, bone density scores are measured against 20-30 year old females as being "normal." :)
Jacqueline, Thanks very much for your response. The vitamin D in my multi is D3 (cholecalciferol). My milk is fortified with D3 and I drink 12 oz daily. I also get about 30 minutes of Florida sun each morning during my walks. I don't know what my daily total is, but it is considerably more than the 1000 IU vitamin D in my multivitamin.
I hesitate to take any more vitamin D without a 25(OH)D test to know my body's level of this vitamin. According to MedLine, " vitamin D toxicity can result from regular excess intake of this vitamin, and may lead to hypercalcemia and excess bone loss." You can read about it at www.nih.gov/medlineplus/druginfo/natural/patient-vitamind.html#safety
Hi Bonelady
Re vitamin D dosage.
This article has some interesting things to say with regards to dosage:
http://www.newhope.com/nutritionsciencenews/NSN_backs/Mar_00/vitamind.cfm
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