Okay, I am late doing this note, but I have sporadically been researching the topic of osteoporosis and now know something I would like to share. My history quickly: menopause at 48, diagnosed with osteopenia and osteoporosis a few years later, hip fracture from a severe fall this year. I am now 64. I have been on Fosomax, Actonal, and Boniva. The 1st drug produced esophagitis. Severe chest pains with the others--now occasionally experience GERD (Gastro Esophageal Reflux Disease) and as you all know by now the anti-acid drugs and protonics (cut off the digestive juices) are bad for osteoporosis. Why? This is a brief layperson's explanation which I have researched through the Clinical Trials division of the National Institute of Health. A primary source is the Chief of Bioengineering at a NYS University. For bones to grow at any age old bone needs to be reabsorbed by the body. The bisphosphonates (Foxomax et al. are absorbed by the osteoclasts--the part of the bone responsible for old bone disposal). New bone is built by the osteoblasts--the process of new bone building is set off by the function of the osteoclasts--the "old" part of the bone that is disposed of. It's like a nursing baby setting off its mother's hormones to produce more milk. No nursing=no new milk production. It is not known how old bone is disposed of that contains bisphosphonates. Problem: very little bone is sluffed off each year--about 1%. So just by stopping Fosomax etc. you do not stop the action of the drugs. They are there for a long, long time. And for people who have been taking them for years this presence of an unnatural substance could prove to be a dire circumstance.
2. For new bone to form the bones need nutricion which they get through the blood steam and lymphatic system. The blood is pushed through the body not just by the heart but by the soleus muscle which is a muscle behind your calf muscle. The soleus muscle--known as our second heart--is primarily involuntary. That means you cannot strengthen it with weight lifting and walking. It is connected to the body's system that maintains our equilibrium--and we know most fractures as we age are the result of falls.
3. What to do? You have heard of the vibration machines. The one with FDA approval-the Juvent 1000--does little for osteoporosis. The FDA has only approved the 1000 as a device to improve equilibrium and gneral muscle tone. GOOD NEWS: bioengineers are bringing to the market (1 to 2 years) a device which does improve the functioning of the soleus muscle according to well-designed studies that involve control groups. These platforms can be used sitting down or standing. The results so far have been outstanding--that is new bone is formed. Vibrational techniques are being tested on the NASA astronauts who lose bone in their weightless environmente in space and on skiers and other athletes who suffer traumatic injuries.
4. In the meantime consistent practice of T'ai Chi which focuses on balance has proved to be highly effective. Much more effective than Physical Therapy and/or weight lifting--neither of which I would abandon because the stronger you are the less likely you are to fall, lose balance, etc. All activity is beneficial. Dancing is particularly beneficial because music stimulates an area of the brain linked to balance, one's sense of place in space and good feelings.
I will send some links to recent papers on these topics when I have more time. Michele Garden, PhD
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