Where The Holistic Rubber Meets The Scientific Road

This bone disease kills more women than breast cancer

You may be surprised but in the USA more women die from facture of the neck of femur than die of cancer of the breast, cervix and uterus COMBINED (it is a similar story in other developed countries).

A fracture of the femur is dangerous for an elderly man or woman, because it leads to immobility. That in turn increases the risk of pneumonia, which is the usual cause of death in these sad cases.

The femur fractures easily in older people because of bone thinning or osteoporosis, which in turn is caused by gross ignorance of nutritional essentials.

I have said often that osteoporosis is a whole body disease; it is NOT a lack of calcium. We’re awash with calcium! (calcium is hardening of the arteries, brain plaques, crusty joint and other aging deposits: who needs calcium?)

The trouble with aging is that, as we grow older, the calcium ends up in the wrong place. That’s caused by having the faulty nutritional dynamics. Bone is a living tissue, it is built up and broken down constantly. Doctors and drug companies who try to portray bone as a static vessel, filled with a certain amount of calcium—like a full, half-full or quarter-full cup—are  just plain idiots.

Your entire skeleton replaces and remodels itself every few months; and I mean every molecule! If you help your bones, by doing it right and feeding them well, they will support you into your ninth, tenth, even twelfth decade.

 

The Chinese Bone Story

It’s widely held that calcium deficiency is the cause of osteoporosis and that if you consume plenty of milk, you will get all the calcium you need and never experience osteoporosis.

That’s pure bunk. A myth that sticks and sticks…

Consider that in China, where the traditional diet included no dairy products whatever, osteoporosis was completely unknown until Westernization.

Next consider the USA, which has the highest consumption of dairy products in the world and yet also has the highest incidence of osteoporosis.

What does that tell you about the value of milk? In fact I’ll shock you by saying that a handful of doctors like me have been arguing for 40 years that milk is mainly what CAUSES osteoporosis, though malabsorption due to gut inflammation from milk.

 

Hip Fractures and Bone Strength

Hip fractures are the most serious consequence of osteoporosis. About 20 percent result in death, and those who survive often have disability and loss of independence. The cost is an estimated $12.8 billion to $17.8 billion per year for medical care, extended treatment facilities, and the value of lost productivity.

Yet, this important anti-aging factor is often overlooked. Hormones and super nutrients may be more glamorous. But basic nutrition is, and always will be, the number one factor in bone health.

There is no reason to suffer this infirmity or risk a disastrous fracture.

It’s true that bone loss is a natural part of the aging process. Starting around the fourth or fifth decade of life, both men and women lose bone mass at a rate of 0.3 to 0.5 percent per year.

Moreover, after the onset of menopause, the rate of bone loss in women can increase as much as 10-fold due to the reduced production of estrogen. In fact, women can lose up to 20 percent of their total bone mass in the first 5 to 7 years following menopause.

By age 70 or 80, women have typically lost about 30 to 50 percent of their bone mass, compared with a loss of only 20 to 30 percent among men.

 

Bone Densitometry

Probably the single biggest factor in whether a woman will develop osteoporosis is whether she starts out with thin bones or not! Those with dense bones at the age of 35 are unlikely to reach severe osteoporotic levels even during the seventh and eight decade.

Those whose bones are thin even before menopause are likely to end up with difficulties, no matter what treatment is attempted.

So it is important to find out where you stand. Bone densitometry, a simple screening, should tell you where you stand. It is to be hoped that routine bone densitometry screening will be available to all women, even pre-menopausally.

Use your doctor to get densitometry but don’t pay too much attention to what is says to do (which is just what drug reps tell him to say to you).

 

Treatment

The best treatment by far is avoidance. That comes from wise nutrition, as I’ll explain later.

The trouble is, existing therapy is largely unsuccessful. The reason is, it’s based on the obsession to find patented and expensive “cures”, instead of correcting basic nutritional factors.

The current approach focuses mainly on estrogen, supposedly to retard the advance of the menopause, and calcium supplementation.

However, estrogen therapy really only defers the inevitable and therefore its ‘success’ as a treatment is debatable. Moreover, some doctors would see the risk of hormone replacement therapy as wholly unacceptable when used for this purely prophylactic reason.

Calcium supplements (around 800 to 1500 mg a day) are usually recommended but it must be said that studies on how effective this is are confused and contradictory. Calcium supplementation will not restore lost bone tissue.

The paradox is, as I said, that calcium deposition is a factor in many aging conditions, such as hardening of the arteries, arthritis, kidney stones, gallstones, and cataracts, so for some patients taking calcium supplements, it may be a question of aging one way or decaying another!

The really important nutrients, as we shall see, do not include calcium.

 

Hormone Supplements

These do have a beneficial effect but at what price? We all know the inherent dangers of taking estrogen replacement therapy. Most women in the Western world today are already estrogen dominant and the risks of hormone-related breast cancer etc. simply goes up, the more estrogen the woman takes.

Actually, progesterone supplementation makes more sense. This brings back the estrogen dominance to more of a balance.

Estrogen does, in fact inhibit the osteoclast cells that function to resorb bone and as a result can slow the rate of bone loss.

But estrogen cannot rebuild bone. Progesterone rebuilds bone by stimulating the osteoblast cells, which re-mineralize and restore bone mass.

Estrogen without the balance of progesterone is fraught with side effects: hypertension is one example. Also, salt and water retention, increase in blood clotting, promotion of fat synthesis, hypothyroidism, fibrocystic breast disease, increased risk of gallbladder disease and gallstones, liver dysfunction, increased risk of endometrial cancer of the uterus, pituitary prolactinoma tumor and probably breast cancer are also possible.

 

Pueraria Mirifica

Pueraria mirifica is a herbal preparation from Thailand (we sometimes jokingly call it HRT, meaning “herbal remedy from Thailand”). It is one of the most potent estrogen antagonists known, yet quite safe.

It does not block all estrogen functions. But I study I found on PubMed made it clear that it does reduce alkaline phosphatase, a marker for bone breakdown and resorption [Menopause. 2008 May-Jun;15(3):530-5].

It’s probably just as good for men as they age, too. Another study on PubMed, on castrated rats, showed that they did not fall into the rapid female pattern of bone loss [Maturitas. 2007 Mar 20;56(3):322-31. Epub 2006 Nov 13].

Dosage: 1 -2 mg per kilo of body weight per day.

 

Bisphosphonates

Marketing this class of drugs has been a triumph of marketing spin over science and common sense. They don’t work as described and the “science” is very hazy. Not enough to justify the risk.

Yes risk. Everybody knows now about jaw necrosis and that bisphosphonates can increase the risk of certain fractures of the femur.

Other detrimental effects they wreak of healthy metabolism will certainly come to light, as time goes by.

Brands include: Actonel, Atelvia, Boniva, and Fosamax. As soon as the patents run out, all the science about their dangers and ineffectiveness will surface. Till then, Big Pharma is keeping the lid on problems.

 

What About Exercize?

Exercise has been shown to have a positive effect on bone density; thus, those who lead sedentary lives are more likely to develop osteoporosis. Animal studies show that lack of use leads to rapid bone re-absorption (breakdown by cells). Therefore, it is likely regular gentle exercise will benefit all women at or beyond the menopausal years.

However, no study I know of has shown that older women are able to replace lost bone through exercise.

Moreover, if you overdo it, excessive exercise causes cessation of periods. That’s due to lack of estrogen. Well, for reasons already explained, lack of estrogen is a prime factor in osteoporosis, so you do NOT want to over-exercize.

 

So What Does Work?

Nutrition

The truth is that osteoporosis is a holistic condition and needs treating holistically. It is doubtful if single nutrient supplements, even such obvious ones as calcium and vitamin D, would be effective in the absence of good whole-body nutrition.

Bone, remember, is more than just a collection of calcium apatite crystals. It is an active living tissue, constantly remodeling itself through deposition and absorption and continually participating in a wide range of biochemical reactions — reactions that will be compromised by any degree of under nutrition.

We can consider several of these. As usual, all play a part and you can’t get much benefit from just concentrating on one.

Magnesium

Without doubt, the number one deficient nutrient and the KEY to this problem, is magnesium.

The critical bone enzyme alkaline phosphatase (involved in forming new calcium crystals) is activated by magnesium. Its relative lack, therefore, could be expected to block the deposition of new bone tissue. Whole-body concentrations of magnesium were found to be below normal in 16 out of 19 osteoporotic women.

Take 300- 400 mg daily, in addition to rich dietary sources.

Vitamin D

We all know vitamin D prevents rickets, which is softening of the bones. It does this by making calcium more available to the bones (where is should be). It must make sense to take vitamin D.

Now we know now how good an anti-oxidant, immune modulator and antimicrobial. It even lowers the risk of cancer. So don’t hesitate to take vitamin D in large amounts: take only vitamin D3 (cholecacliferol).

Forget the pathetic RDA: take 4,000- 5,000 IU. It’s dirt cheap.

Vitamin K

This may surprise some people. Vitamin K is known to be important primarily for its effects on blood clotting. However, it is also required for synthesizing osteocalcin, a protein found uniquely in bone and on which the calcium crystallizes.

It is usually assumed that vitamin K deficiency is rare, but in one study (of only 16 patients) with osteoporosis, their mean serum vitamin K levels were only 35% of those of age-matched controls.

Take vitamin K2 (not K1): 10 mg daily if you can afford it (it is rather expensive).

Manganese

This is also required for bone mineralization. Rats fed on manganese-deficient diets had smaller and less dense bones. In one study of osteoporotic women, blood manganese levels were found to be only 25 per cent of those of controls!

About 5 mg daily is accepted generally as a suitable supplement.

Folic Acid

The interest in this vitamin co-factor stems from the fact that homocystine metabolism seems to be at least partially folic acid-dependent, and patients with a genetic failure in the metabolism of homocystine are known to develop severe osteoporosis at an early age. Folic acid deficiency is relatively common, particularly in those who do not follow a hunter-gatherer type diet.

Supplementation would therefore seem to be prudent. Try to get 500 mcg daily. Some countries have a legal upper limit. You really need 3 mg. You’ll need a script for those levels (it may expose vitamin B12 deficiency, which is dangerous).

Boron

Previously thought to be important only for plants, we now know that boron plays a role in human nutrition, particularly in relation to bone health.

Supplementing the diet with boron was shown to reduce urinary calcium excretion by 44%. Interestingly, it also increased the serum concentration of the hormone 17-beta-oestradiol, which may be the most biologically active form of naturally occurring human estrogen.

Dietary requirements are not known. I have found that 3 mg daily will produce benefits.

Strontium

Strontium has been shown to prevent chemical irritations of the skin, it plays an important role in building strong bones, reduces dental cavities, and bone pain.

In the largest published clinical trial, 1,649 postmenopausal women with osteoporosis received 680 mg per day of strontium or placebo for three years. Compared to the placebo group, strontium reduced the incidence of vertebral fractures by 49% in just one year.

We used to get adequate strontium through our drinking water, and through foods since it is naturally present in water and soil. However, these days it’s almost impossible to get strontium this way because of water treatment that kills strontium and soil that has lost all of its nutritional value because of overuse.

According to one study, 170 mg of strontium per day, seems to be more effective than 680 mg per day for reducing fracture risk, which raises the question as to whether a lower doses might be as effective.

My colleagues and I who are in the know think more in terms of 5 mg or 10 mg daily.

Other Important Nutrients

Attention has also been focused on a number of other nutrients including silicon, vitamin B6, zinc, copper, and vitamin C. In other words, we are working towards the conclusion that any important nutrient could lead to as yet undiscovered deficiencies in bone metabolism; good holistic nutrition is vital.

 

Things To Avoid

Some drugs accelerate bone loss. Particularly important are steroids such as prednisolone, though it appears that the type of osteoporosis this can lead to is quite different biochemically from post-menopausal osteoporosis. Certain anticonvulsants (phenytoin, for example) may also lead to increased bone reabsorption.

The science for bisphosphonates is beginning to fall apart. Women who took bisphosphonates for five years or longer were found to have a 2.7-fold greater risk for certain thigh fractures than women who took them for less than 100 days.

The researchers concluded that some long-term bisphosphonate users may benefit from a “drug holiday” — stopping the drugs for a while and then restarting. But Park-Wyllie, quick to protect its profits, says this has not been studied.

Smoking is said to hasten the menopause by about five years and reduces oestrogen levels thereafter. Other evidence suggests that smoking may alter osteoblast function (osteoblasts are the cells that ‘build’ bone).

There are also racial and genetic factors that you can’t avoid. However, remember there are epigenetic factors which can switch off bad genes and switch on good ones.

In any clinical evaluation of osteoporosis, a number of disease states need to be considered. All are rightly the preserve of a qualified physician, and are not for self–medication. They include anorexia nervosa, testicular failure, thyrotoxicosis, bone cancer disease, and immobilization after surgery.

To learn more about many aspects of avoiding the diseases of decay and aging, get by eBook “How to Live Beyond 100 Years” We are running a special at the moment…

26 COMMENTS

  1. Oh YES Dr. Keith is soooooooo right! I asked my Dr. whom is a cancer specialist and he could not answer a lot of the amounts of these very key nutrients. He told me that he was taking nutrition classes in NY and on the web.. Dr. Keith is right.. And if I can say he makes some awesome chocolate……GREAT. (http://www.doctorkeithschocolate.com)

  2. Dr. Keith,
    Thank you for such an informative article. I firmly believe what you have so graciously presented. Thanks for sharing this report.

    Jeanne

  3. Thanks for this information. I notice that, while you emphasize the importance of using natural D3 and K2, like so many others, you recommend using the artificial folic acid instead of natural folate. Since unnatural forms of vitamins don’t always work the way natural forms do, it seems that the natural folate would be much better. In the website, http://www.DrFuhrman.com, there is an article about the differences in how the two work, and why folate if superior.

    • Dear rebecca,
      You may be surprised to know that Mercke owns natural folate (metafolin).
      Due to sick American rules they “patented” God’s formula!

  4. Don’t forget too, that drinking soft drinks (high in phosphoric acid) will make the blood acidic, so calcium is removed from the bones to buffer this effect. Lots of foods make us too acidic, such as tomatoes, capsicum, eggplant, sugar, vinegar (unless its apple cider vinegar), and toxic emotions have an effect. Lack of sleep, stress, overwork and worry all make us acidic, so we need to learn how to become more alkaline. Eating 5 serves of vegetables a day is a good start.

  5. Great article Doc, as always. One additionThere is an exercise machine that will rebuild bone, it is called the Power Plate. It is advanced vibration technology and I have used it in my clinic for 5 years. Very easy to use just, stand and vibrate. That was the 5 second instructions yet there are a number of exercise to strengthen specific joints and muscle groups. Pleased check it out.

      • Yes, it is whole body vibration. The power Plate is about 400 lb. and is intense vibration. It also helps pedal edema, varicose veins, paraesthesia and neuropathy. The commercial model for a clinic is about $10,000. There are some small home models that are much less $$$. Hope this helps.

  6. Prof Keith,
    If you were to study what David Wolfe and Martin Zucher have demonstrated at the Longevity Conference in 2010, you would have learned that the main reason that there is a problem with calcium being parked in organs instead of bones, is that the body needs to be “earthed” to restore the proper electrical balance to the cells and nutrients. And, blood would not clump, and bones would become stronger, if we would only take off our rubber and plastic soled shoes and walk on the earth. Another alternative is to use some “grounding technology” which will transform all the deranging positively charged electrons into the earth, and allow the healing and cleansing negative electrons to enter the body. And, you can even discharge the energy while you sleep, as there’s a grounded bed sheet. I just received my first ever grounded mousepad, which will negate all the ill effects of the electronic devices that I use every day, including my computer. If you haven’t seen David Wolfe’s demonstration at the Longevity Conference (that he organized), try Googling it and “earthing”.
    The other advantage is that we won’t get acidic any more. Earthing is what makes us more balanced.

    • Jane, David Wolfe and Martin Zucher are not people I am interested in. I’m 25 years ahead of them.
      I was writing about earthing properties back in the 1980s (in my books).
      The idea that ground currents will provide magnesium that’s not there, or estrogen receptor blockers is errant (and dangerous) nonsense.

  7. All research I have seen on strontium proves to be very effective for preventing bone loss and even building bones. However, I would suggest that you include that strontium is NOT advisable for those with history of blood clots.

  8. Dear Dr;Are you aware there is a product from Latin America that does stop the progress of the Aids virus permanently and all that is done without any side effects of any kind unlike the retrovirals.?
    This product is cheaper and has only to be used for three months while the retrovirals need to be taken indefinitely and does costs much more.
    Wonder if have heard about this product.

  9. I have been taking Peuraria Mirifica for about a year now and am not about to stop as one of the side effects/benefits is increased breast size. Good to know that it helps with strong bones also.

    • Prof Keith,
      On that subject, not sure if you’re familiar with BioBust. I considered using that since I’m struggling to find Peuraria Mirifica (I live in South Africa). On the box it says if you have the Mirena, BioBust will not work for you. Not sure about the reason. I was wondering if you knew whether or not H.R.T would work, or if the breast enlarging capabilities of it would also be negated with the Mirena?

  10. Thank you for the above advise for healthier bones.

    Do teeth come into the same category as bones?

    The dentist has informed me my teeth roots are loosing some body strength and I was advised to use a particular brand of toothpaste which is very rich in flouride. I understand this additive has various side effects though it might be good for teeth health.

    • Teeth and bones are very similar, certainly. Both require excellent nutrition, or they will suffer.
      Changing to fluoride toothpaste will solve nothing, if you have gum disease. It sounds to me like you have an ignorant dentist.
      We have way too much fluoride as it is, in our diets.
      Prof.

  11. Dear Prof,
    I am a fan of yours and I must thank you for all you have been doing to help humanity regain their health. Alternative medicine is a new world to me and I would say I am privileged to learn at the feet of many pioneers in the field.
    I however feel disturbed when issues are addressed alongside attacks on personalities. It was Chet the other day, now its another. There may be no need to besmirch others.
    Whereas it would seem that Jane presumed you are not familiar with such references she mentioned, perhaps it may have been sufficient to refer her to your earlier works wherein she may take advice and be properly informed in the subject matter.
    I would like to see you handle the views expressed by critics or ‘would know all’ with greater consideration for their weaknesses while we concern ourselves with issues raised.

  12. I do not believe for one minute that milk is bad for us. I drink raw milk, not the pasteurized dead white water from the grocery stores. Raw cow milk and raw goat milk are some of the healthiest foods on the planet. I also make my own homemade butter from the raw cream. Can’t beat it for the nutrients provided (A, D, K etc.). The next best food in the world is pastured eggs.

  13. hey there and thank you for your info ¡V I have certainly picked up something new from right here. I did however expertise a few technical points using this web site, as I experienced to reload the web site lots of times previous to I could get it to load properly. I had been wondering if your web hosting is OK? Not that I’m complaining, but sluggish loading instances times will very frequently affect your placement in google and can damage your high quality score if ads and marketing with Adwords. Well I am adding this RSS to my email and can look out for a lot more of your respective interesting content. Ensure that you update this again very soon..

    • Thanks Cherrie,
      I had trouble getting on my own site today.
      It turns out an old plug in/theme called semiologic was blocking the loading.
      I’ve deleted all semiologic plug ins and it looks fine.
      I hope you have no further trouble.
      Keith

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