Osteoporosis Medication or an Alternative

Hi my ladies,
I have a question for you.  Is anyone taking Boniva, Actonel, or Atelvia?  What do you think of these bone-rebuilding medications?  Now there is also Reclast, the once a year infusion.  That one really scares me.  And Fosamax.  I won't even link to that one!

Although I have worked out so much of my life, I was still diagnosed with osteoporosis.  I'm sure it is because I have slacked off over the years with exercising and have not taken in enough calcium.  Although it is really not taking in enough calcium that is the problem.  It seems like we don't get enough Vitamin D3 which is needed to help the calcium get absorbed.  Also, I have some risk factors that would predispose me to osteoporosis.
 Well now it is time to get serious.  There is really no option.  We must exercise.   Now I know that I must always work out.
My doctor strongly suggested that I take one of the above medications.  The verdict is still out on that.  I am researching these meds and not liking what I am reading.
  I am going to start a serious exercise program (hopefully) and take in more calcium, (not necessarily in the form of a pill)  and definitely Vitamin D3 in supplement form and maybe Vitamin K.
Ladies, anyone with osteoporosis using an alternative to these above highlighted medications?  I would love to hear from you!
I am reading a lot of info by Dr. Susan Brown, Phd and she is extremely knowledgeable on this subject.
Dr. Brown is against these medications and she explains why.  Dr. Brown gives us information that we can really live by!  Extremely encouraging!  Please click on her name to read more!



                                          

Foods That Can Weaken Your Bones

Hi Girls,
Of course we know how important a good diet is for good health.  A good diet is also extremely important for bone health.   There are actually foods that have a very negative effect on your bones.  By negative effect it means that these foods can leach the minerals from your bones or they can block the bone's ability to regrow!  Beware of these foods..........

1. Salt.......will take calcium from your bones.  (we get too much of our salt from processed foods.  Try to avoid as much as possible deli meats, canned foods, frozen foods, pizza and fast food.
2. Soft drinks......The fizziness in soft drinks often comes from phosphoric acid which is so bad for our bones (phosphoric acid increases the rate at which calcium is excreted in the urine 
3. Alcohol......prevents bone building minerals that you eat from being absorbed and drinking too much alcohol can interfere with bone healing if you do suffer a fracture.  Limit your drinks to one a day.
4. Caffeine.......caffeine's actions are similar to salt.  It will take calcium from your bones.  Limit coffee intake to one to two cups and try to avoid other caffeinated drinks.
5. Vitamin A......... is found in eggs, full-fat dairy, liver, and vitamin fortified foods.  It is very possible that we are getting more than the 5,000 IU's that is recommended for us daily.  And experts believe that the 5,000 IU's is still too much for us girls over fifty.  Studies show that women whose intake was over 5,000 IU's a day had more than double the fracture rate of women who were taking less than 1600 IU's!  We must switch to non-fat dairy products.
6. Hydrogenated Oils.....the process of hydrogenation, which turns liquid vegetable oil into the solid oils used in commercial baking destroys the Vitamin K naturally found in the oil.   Vitamin K is essential for strong bones.  Not much Vitamin K is taken from the oil so you need only be concerned if you are a big lover of baked goods like muffins and cookies.  But if you are eating your green leafy veggies you do not need to worry because they are a great source of Vitamin K. 

Parts of this post taken from aolhealth.com

Calcium

Hi Ladies:

Well, let's first start with our bones. When we are going through menopause our bones start to lose density and become more prone to fractures. If the level of calcium in our blood is too low then our body will take calcium from our bones to supply it to our muscles and nerves. Hence, low bone density which can lead to osteopenia and then osteoporosis. To find out if you are losing bone density it is important to get a bone density test ( densitometry or DXA scan) starting at the age of 50. This test will determine if you have osteoporosis or the predecessor of osteoporosis which is called osteopenia. The test is painless and does not take long at all. There is no prep for the test. A bone density test is a great way of knowing the condition of your bones and risk for fractures. If you are at risk then your doctor will absolutely tell you to take calcium.
I am hearing and reading so much in regard to how we should take calcium. I have heard that if you take a calcium supplement that is more than 500 mg. you are wasting your money. The body can only absorb 500 mg. at a time. Also you must take vitamin D supplement (400 IU) with your calcium. The vitamin D assists the body in absorbing the calcium. I am now learning that you must also take magnesium (250 mg) with your calcium which also assists in the absorption. Magnesium also helps with other body functions such as the contraction and relaxation of all muscles including the heart. There are many ways to get the calcium that we need as women over 50. I will list some foods that are calcium rich. Of course supplements are the sure way to get your daily dose of calcium which is usually between 1200 - 1500 mg/day. Women using hormone replacement therapy might require a little less calcium. Ladies....too much of any supplement can be harmful so stay at the recommended dosage. Calcium overdose can lead to kidney damage and the deposit of calcium in areas of the body where it is not needed. Also women who are at risk for developing kidney stones should take caution. Check with your doctor for possible drug interactions. It is best to take your calcium 3 times a day (at mealtime). That way you will absorb the full dose of 500 mg. It is best not to take your calcium at night. Calcium can cause heartburn during the night. I also hear that we should be taking calcium in a liquid or powder form because the calcium pills do not get absorbed by our bodies fast enough before being eliminated. I actually was listening to Andrew Lessman on HSN and learned a great deal from him in regard to calcium. I think I am going to try his Calcium-Magnesium Intensive Care. I will let you know how it goes. Ladies always check with your doctor before taking calcium or any supplement.
FYI: Calcium has a calming effect on the body. People deficient in calcium can have restlessness and wake often during the night. Guess that is why a warm glass of milk was recommended before bedtime!
FYI: Calcium is shown to have a slimming effect on women over 50!!!!! Women who get their proper daily dose of calcium are less likely to gain weight then their friends who do not take calcium supplements.

FYI: Test your calcium pill......put your calcium pill in a small container of vinegar.....if it doesn't dissolve in minutes........the supplement is not reaching your bloodstream fast enough....you are not getting the full benefit of your calcium supplement.
Okay, let's list some foods that are rich in calcium....
1. Oatmeal....350 mg
2. Cheddar cheese, 1-1/2 oz, shredded....306 mg
3. Yogurt, plain, low fat, 1 cup.....300 mg
4. Soy or rice milk, fortified with calcium, 1 cup....80-500 mg WOW!!!!! (READ THE LABELS)
5. Frozen yogurt, vanilla, soft-serve, 1/2 cup......103 mg
6. Orange juice, fortified with calcium, 6 oz.....200 - 260 mg
7. Cold cereal, fortified with calcium, 1 cup.....100 - 1000 mg WOW again!!! (READ THE LABELS)
8. Canned salmon, 3 oz......181 mg
9. Spaghetti, 1 cup.......125 mg

The list goes on.......
Ladies one more FYI....When you are reading the nutrition facts on the boxes of food and it says for calcium 20% or 30% or whatever amount it might say just remember that it translates to 200 mg or 300 mg of calcium, so just add a 0 to the number it is stating. Try to find foods that have fairly high percentages if you are counting on calcium from food. Ladies if you do find out you have osteopenia or osteoporosis talk with your doctor, a supplement will probably be recommended and remember that these are conditions that can absolutely be reversed!!!!!
Talk soon......Elyse Rose