| Osteoporosis: To help prevent osteoporosis in postmenopausal women, use 1/8 to 1/4 tsp daily from the 12th day to the last day of each monthly cycle. If still menstruating, use the first day of your period to mark the first day of the cycle. Women who have been diagnosed with osteoporosis should apply 1/2 tsp morning and night until the first jar is used up, and then 1/4 tsp morning and night until the second jar is used up. The latter dosage can be used for maintenance, or can be cut in half once again if bone scans show improvement. |
| After this 5- to 6-year period, the recommendation is to slowly decrease this hormone and prescribe raloxifene (Evista), a "select estrogen receptor modulator" to prevent osteoporosis. There is little time spent on analyzing a woman's individual biochemistry. What the drug companies recommend for the "average" woman is typically what every patient is prescribed.
For women in the perimenopausal years (who are still having menstmal cycles), a low-dose oral contraceptive is prescribed to control symptoms until menstrual cycles cease. |
Bill Gottlieb
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 To prevent osteoporosis, Dr. Steenblock says to ask your doctor for a prescription for calcitonin (Miacalcin), a calcium-containing nasal spray. "Calcitonin can help prevent osteoporosis and helps with brain repair processes as well," he says. the New Beginnings Medical Group in Gulf Shores, Alabama. Take 1,500 milligrams of bromelain three times a day (a total of 4,500 milligrams) between meals, starting no sooner than 1 day after a stroke.
"If taken sooner, it could cause mild bleeding in the brain and worsen the situation," Dr. Wilcoxson says. |
H. Winter Griffith, M.D.
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 Others:
• Exercise, along with vitamin D from sunshine and calcium, helps prevent osteoporosis.
• Don't use bone meal or dolomite as a source for calcium supplement (they may contain lead). possible interaction with other drugs
GENERIC NAME OR DRUG CLASS
COMBINED EFFECT
Alendronate
Decreased alendronate effect. Take calcium 30 minutes after alendronate.
Anticoagulants, oral*
Decreased anticoagulant effect.
Calcitonin
Decreased calcitonin effect.
Calcium-containing medicines, other
Increased calcium effect.
Chlorpromazine
Decreased chlorpromazine effect. |
Robert Hass, M.S.
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 It is so important for people, especially women, to know what to do to reduce bone loss and prevent osteoporosis."
Is it possible to prevent osteoporosis? What if you already have the disease? Can it be reversed?
203
Stopping Bone Loss
Why is preventing and reversing osteoporosis so important? Because each year, the disease is responsible for more than 1.5 million fractures that run up $10 billion in health-care costs and result in 40,000 deaths, usually within 6 months of the fractures. |
F. Batmanghelidj
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 I think the rise in low-density cholesterol is a significant indicator of the onset of osteoporosis. To prevent osteoporosis, a gradual exposure to early-morning sunlight could be a natural way to increase calcium absorption into the body and the bones.
EXERCISE
The most important factor for survival, after air, water, salt, and food, is exercise. Exercise is more important to the health of the individual than sex, entertainment, or anything else that might be pleasurable. |
Robert Hass, M.S.
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| Physicians recommend three or more daily servings of calcium during young adulthood (five servings during pregnancy and lactation) and weight-bearing exercises to prevent osteoporosis. Many now routinely recommend calcium supplements to their patients. But is that enough?
The answer, quite simply, is no. It takes more than a roll of Turns to beat a disease like osteoporosis. The idea that taking calcium supplements can prevent osteoporosis misses the mark entirely. |
Walter Last
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 It is also needed for bone formation, or to prevent osteoporosis, tooth decay, calcium deposits, and hardening of tissues and arteries. Injections of vitamin K derived from plant sources have been effective in the control of strong pain. This vitamin can be obtained from intestinal bacteria (in other words, made in the gut), green and especially dark-green vegetables, liver, and egg yolk. Vitamin Kj from plants is more effective than K2 from intestinal bacteria; the synthetic form (K3) can have toxic effects. |
Earl L. Mindell, RPh, PhD with Virginia Hopkins, MA
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| SHOULD YOU TAKE HORMONE REPLACEMENT THERAPY TO prevent osteoporosis?
There is a misconception that osteoporosis begins at menopause. In reality, bone mass begins declining in most women in their mid-thirties, accelerates for three to five years around the time of menopause, and then continues to decline at the rate of about 1 to 1.5 percent per
YOUR RISK OF OSTEOPOROSIS IS HIGHER IF YOU:
Are a woman.
Have a family history of osteoporosis. Are white. Are thin. Are short.
Went into menopause early. Have a low calcium intake. Don't exercise. Smoke cigarettes. |
David Hoffman, FNIMH, AHG
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 A diet rich in calcium, vitamin D, and phytoestrogens and a lifestyle that includes regular exercise are thought to be the best ways to prevent osteoporosis.
Calcium
Calcium-rich foods, such as dairy products, are the preferred source of calcium. Calcium-fortified foods and calcium supplements are other means by which optimal calcium intake can be reached in those who cannot meet this need by ingesting conventional foods.
Phosphorus-rich foods should be avoided, as they can promote bone loss. High-phosphorus foods include red meats, soft drinks, and foods containing phosphate additives. |
Earl L. Mindell, RPh, PhD with Virginia Hopkins, MA
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| For a while, it was thought that fluoride might actually help prevent osteoporosis. But long-term studies with hundreds of thousands of people proved the wisdom of checking things out thoroughly. There is a clear correlation between bone fractures and fluoridation. It turns out that while fluoride does create denser bone, it is poor quality, structurally unsound bone that is actually more prone to fracture over the long term.
So much fluoride has been put into our water and toothpaste over the past 30 years that levels in our food chain are very high. |
| In other words, a dosage equivalent to Mo of the dose used to prevent osteoporosis caused both benign and malignant cells to form in these animals. It's unnecessary to resort to a drug like this one when natural hormones and other alternatives can do the job more safely.
Calcitonin-salmon (Calcimar, Salmonine, Osteocalcin, Miacalcin)
What Does It Do in the Body? This is a hormone made by the thyroid gland that can temporarily slow bone loss. The long-term side effects are not well known, and its effectiveness diminishes rapidly after a few years.
What Is It Prescribed For? Osteoporosis. |
Michael Janson, M.D.
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 Some studies show a lower incidence of bowel cancer in people who take calcium supplements, and it may help prevent osteoporosis when combined with a number of other equally important nutrients. There is still controversy about the ideal dose of calcium. Whether women need more to prevent osteoporosis and what is the proper dose for cancer prevention are issues that have not been resolved.
How to take
Absorption of calcium is quite variable, depending on the previously listed factors and on stomach acidity. Many different forms of calcium are available. |
The Life Extension Editorial Staff
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 However, estriol is often not strong enough to prevent osteoporosis on its own and it may ot may not telieve hot flashes. Estriol is classified as a "weak" estrogen compared to the mote potent estradiol and estrone forms. The dosage for estriol is between 2 and 8 mg/day. Again, trying and evaluating different dosages is the way to achieve the impottant goal of taking the least amount of estrogen that attains the desired blood or symptom level. Estriol creams in varying potencies may be tried for localized conditions such as vaginal dryness and thinning. |
Earl L. Mindell, RPh, PhD with Virginia Hopkins, MA
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| We all hear about how having enough calcium in the diet and taking estrogen can help prevent osteoporosis, but there is a much bigger nutritional and lifestyle picture to look at when we are talking about preventing this bone-robbing disease.
The most important element of bones is minerals. Without minerals we don't have bones. The most important bone minerals are calcium, magnesium, potassium, phosphorous, and fluoride. Equally important is the balance between the minerals. Too much phosphorous or fluoride will create poor bone structure. |
David Hoffman, FNIMH, AHG
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| Weight-bearing exercises that put stress on bones, such as dancing, running, walking, stair climbing, and aerobics, reduce bone loss and help prevent osteoporosis. To benefit from the exercise, it must be done at least three times a week for 30 to 45 minutes.
Phytoestrogens
Plant estrogenic substances, or phytoestrogens, are constituents of many herbs with a historical use for conditions that are now treated with synthetic estrogens. They may be suitable alternatives to estrogens for the prevention of osteoporosis in menopausal women. |
The Complete Book of Alternative NutritionSelene Y. Craig, Jennifer Haigh, Sari Harrar and the Editors of PREVENTION Magazine Health Books
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| The Roots of the Calcium Crusade
Ask the average family doctor how you can prevent osteoporosis, and the first word out of her mouth will probably be "calcium."
Organizations like the National Institutes of Health in Bethesda, Maryland, and the National Osteoporosis Foundation say that most of us simply aren't getting enough calcium. Usually such organizations favor a "supply-side" approach, urging women under 50 to get 1,000 milligrams of calcium daily and recommending a whopping 1,500 milligrams a day for older women.
Are You at Risk? |
| Bones like the Flintstones'
Ancestral diets also seem to prevent osteoporosis, the brittle-bone disease that affects an estimated 25 million Americans, mostly women.
Skeletons of early people show that men and women of all ages had strong, heavy bones, says Dr. Eaton. The health of their skeletons can be attributed to an active lifestyle and a balanced, calcium-rich diet.
Today, those at risk for osteoporosis are advised to either drink plenty of milk or take calcium supplements. So how did early people maintain strong bones long before either of these options existed? |
Judith Wills
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 There is evidence that magnesium can help relieve PMS and prevent osteoporosis.
If magnesium is deficient, symptoms include muscle weakness and abnormal heart rhythms, tiredness, appetite loss, fits, and cramps. Absorption can be hindered by heavy alcohol consumption.
Magnesium-rich foods include whole grains, nuts and seeds, and green vegetables. Tap water can also be a good source if you live in a hard-water area.
¦ Potassium
USA RDI 3.5 g UK RNI 3. |
Gabriel Cousens, M.D.
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 The evidence is overwhelming that the most important single dietary change one can make to prevent osteoporosis is to decrease the amount of protein in the diet. The clinical evidence from several major studies shows that vegetarians have significantly less hone loss than those who have a flesh-centered diet. The Journal of Clinical Nutrition in 1983 reported in the largest study of its kind that by the age of 65:
£ Female nonvegetarians had an average measurable bone loss of 35% as compared to only a 7% bone loss in female vegetarians. |
Gary Null, Ph.D.
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 Ideally, women should initiate an exercise program long before menopause to prevent osteoporosis. Aerobic exercise can be advantageous because it allows the muscles to engage in a continuous, rhythmic workout. Weight-bearing aerobic exercise, such as jogging, dancing, stair climbing, and brisk walking, promotes mechanical stress in the skeletal system, contributing to the placement of calcium within the bones. |
Ronald L. Hoffman, M.D.
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 Nevertheless, there is some concern that our current single-minded interest in calcium to prevent osteoporosis, and the heavy fortification of vitamin D in everything from milk to bread to breakfast cereals, may be setting us up for increased risk of atherosclerosis. The risk is increased by a gradual decline in the quantity of magnesium in our diets, a decline that's been continuous since the beginning of the twentieth century. lo~t
UN 1 CLLIOCIN 1 iVlfcDll^UNt
In an ideal diet, calcium is balanced by magnesium. |
Judith Wills
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| In women it is important to help prevent osteoporosis in later life. Calcium is also important for the smooth functioning of the muscles, including the heart, for blood clotting, for nerve function, and other activities. There is some evidence that low calcium levels may be linked with coronary heart disease, as hardness of tap water is related to lower incidence. Symptoms of deficiency include muscle cramps and disease caused by calcium (or calcium absorption) deficiency.
Only about 40% of the calcium that we eat is absorbed. |
Gary Null, Ph.D.
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| Finally, weight-bearing exercises, such as walking, jogging, and weight-lifting, enhance bone density, which helps prevent osteoporosis.
•Skin...Not only does our skin provide a protective covering, it also expels many toxins daily. But to do this job properly, the pores must not be clogged. One technique for ensuring this is skin brushing. Using a natural bristle brush or loofah, rub the skin all over in a circular motion, to get rid of dead skin that clogs up the pores. Always brush toward the heart, and never brush thin facial skin. |
Linda B. White, M.D.
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 She'll also want to take the three antioxidants, get a little bit of iron in her multivitamin, and add a big dose of calcium to prevent osteoporosis.
When crafting your own herbal regimen, you'll want to take these five factors into account.
1. Any improvements you want to make in your health now 1. Any health problems for which you may be at risk
ž A.H.G. The American Herbalists Guild confers this level of certification on herbal practitioners. Each applicant is peer-reviewed by a panel. |
Ronald L. Hoffman, M.D.
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| It helps keep them mineralized and, along with sufficient calcium intake, should be part of any program to prevent osteoporosis. The effects of exercise, or the lack of it, on our bone structure can be startling. When astronauts are on long- voyages with sustained weightlessness, their muscles tend to atrophy because they are not pushing against the pull of gravity. But there's an effect on bone mass as well. Astronauts lose a tangible percentage of bone mass on longer space flights — and this happens to healthy, middle-aged men and women who work out regularly as part of their training. |
Michael Tierra, L.Ac, O.M.D.
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 Soy has also been found to help prevent osteoporosis by regulating estrogen, especially in postmenopausal women, and bone calcium density in turn. Because of this property, many believe that the significantly lower incidence of breast cancer and abnormal menopausal symptoms, including osteoporosis, in Japanese women is at least partially due to the regular use of soybean products. Protein also means the inclusion of animal food products in the form of organic meat, fowl, fish, eggs, and dairy products. |
Ronald L. Hoffman, M.D.
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| More important, this same cream has been shown in studies to help keep bones strong, prevent osteoporosis later in life, and help keep wrinkles at bay. This is something that I think women will find very useful, as it has a wonderful effect on skin and even goes beyond that to provide gentle hormonal support.
As we discussed in the chapter on the endocrine system, stress can overstimulate the adrenals, which respond by an unbalanced production of androgenic hormones. Relaxation through biofeedback or meditation may alleviate stress-induced hormone overproduction. |
Gayle Reichler, M.S., R.D., C.D.N.
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 Combine Plan 2 with The Active Wellness Basic Food and Nutrition Guidelines, for a well-balanced plan that will help prevent osteoporosis and promote optimum health.
After the body reaches the age of 30 the majority of bone is formed. From that point on, if calcium levels drop in the blood, your body extracts the calcium it needs from your bones. This depletes bone density and mass, particularly after menopause, and significantly increases the risk for serious bone fractures. |
Carol Krucoff and Mitchell Krucoff, M.D.
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 Many experts recommend hormone-replacement therapy or other antiresorptive medications at this time to help prevent osteoporosis. To help make the decision about medication, women with osteoporosis risk factors (such as family history] should get a bone-density test at menopause. "Exercise cannot be recommended as a substitute for hormone replacement therapy at the time of menopause," notes the American College of Sports Medicine in its position stand on osteoporosis and exercise. |
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