Prior to 1974, only a small percentage of people had ever heard of osteoporosis. Though serious, this bone disease was rare and associated only with women aged 70 and over with a "dowagers hump". Now, in the 21st century, osteoporosis is estimated to affect 1 in 3 women and 1 in 12 men over the age of 50 worldwide. How did a disease that was rare a generation ago become one of the top health concerns affecting senior citizens today?

One word: Bisphosphonates.

Biphosphonates are branded and marketed under the following names:

• Aredia
• Fosamax
• Bonivia
• Actonel
• Zometa and Aclasta

   

Non-nitrogenous versions work through a different cellular mechanism and are branded and sold under these names:

• Didronel
• Bonefos
• Loron
• Ostac
• Skelid

You may have heard that osteoporosis and other bone diseases are just one of the many normal health problems an aging population has to face. Not so. Osteoporosis should never have become an epidemic. In this article, you'll learn the alarming truth about osteoporosis and other bone diseases so you can protect yourself.

The Bone Cycle

Though bones may seem permanent, unchanging fixtures in your body, they are actually always being replaced. At any given moment there are from 1-10 million sites where small segments of old bone are being broken-down (reabsorbed) while new bone is laid down to replace it. When more old bone is destroyed than new bone laid down, bone loss occurs.

Common Types of Bone Disease

There are five common types of bone diseases that cause bone loss and brittle bones.

Let's look at them in closer detail:

• Osteomalacia

Osteomalacia is a bone disease you may not have heard of before. It is a softening of the bones due to lack of vitamin D3 in the body. Vitamin D3 deficiency is usually caused by lack of sunlight and the inability of the digestive system to absorb vitamin D3 from food. This could be due to digestive disorders, poor diet, or a combination of both. Symptoms of osteomalacia include muscle weakness, bone pain, spasms of the hands and feet, numbness around the mouth, and easy bone fractures.

• Osteopenia

Osteopenia is considered a pre-cursor to osteoporosis. Osteopenia usually shows no outward symptoms so it can be very difficult to detect. In people with this bone disease, there is no bone loss and bone mass index is only slightly below normal. Eating disorders, chemotherapy, radiation exposure, steroids, and low vitamin D3 levels can contribute to the development of osteopenia. Oscar-winning actress, Gwyneth Paltrow was diagnosed with this brittle bone disease in 2010 due to what her physician believed to be vitamin D3 deficiency and an extreme exercise regimen.

• Osteoporosis

Osteoporosis is a disease characterized by porous, brittle bones. A diagnosis of osteoporosis is usually made after a fall has caused a fracture to the wrist or hip. Though there are few symptoms associated with this bone disease, some patients may notice back pain, height loss, stooped posture, and a curved backbone.

• Osteonecrosis

Osteonecrosis is a disease caused by restricted blood flow to the joints. This disease can be triggered by an injury, excessive alcohol consumption, steroid medications, chemotherapy, radiation, and kidney or other organ transplants. Osteonecrosis often does not show symptoms until the disease has progressed. Oftentimes, patients with advanced osteonecrosis will experience pain at the joint site. In osteonecrosis of the hip, a person may not be able to walk.

• Osteoarthritis

Osteoarthritis affects up to 27 million people in the United States. The disease is characterized by a breakdown in cartilage that cushions the ends of joints and allows for easy movement. Symptoms of this disease include joint pain, joint swelling, morning stiffness, chronic inflammation, and limited range of motion. Risk factors for osteoarthritis include obesity, joint injuries, and infection.

A Sudden Epidemic - The Truth about Bone Loss

For the past fifteen years, an alarming trend has been developing among major drug companies concerning osteoporosis and other brittle bone diseases. A disease that was once thought of as rare has now become a widespread epidemic. This is because major drug companies such as Merck have been developing drugs that have been leading to the development of bone loss diseases.

That's right.

When osteoporosis drugs like Fosomax and Boniva first hit pharmacy shelves, they were considered miracle drugs that would prevent osteoporosis and other bone diseases by increasing bone density. The problem with these drugs is they're poison to your system.

Yes, they do increase bone density but they do it not by increasing the cells that make bone but by killing off the cells that destroy bone. Your bones become thicker but not stronger as your bones can no longer effectively rebuild bone.

The result is dependency on the drug as well as terrible side effects such as:

• Hypocalcaemia (Low blood calcium levels)
• Osteonecrosis of the jaw
• Thigh fractures
• Atrial fibrillation
• Esophageal cancer
• Kidney failure
• Liver damage

More Causes of Brittle Bones

The development of brittle bones doesn't happen overnight and it isn't always caused by conventional osteoporosis treatment. There are several other causes of bone loss that conventional medicine often overlooks.

These causes include:

• Anti-Anxiety Medications - According to studies, anti-anxiety medications known as benzodiazepines (Klonopin, Ativan, Valium, Xanax, and other tranquilizers) increase the risk of hip fracture by up to 70%!

• Antacids - Proton pump inhibitors are a common cause of brittle bones due to their interference with mineral absorption.

• Gluten Intolerance - A person with gluten intolerance is unable to digest the protein found in wheat, barley, and rye. When a person with gluten intolerance eats this protein, their intestines become inflamed, the cilli in their small intestine flattened. This leads to chronic malabsorption of essential nutrients, including vitamin D3 and calcium, which can lead to bone loss.

• Poor Diet - A poor diet laden with preservatives, additives, empty calories, and artificial sweeteners can also contribute to bone disease. Sweeteners like high fructose corn syrup interfere with the body's absorption of copper, which can lead to brittle bones.

• Thyroid Disease - Undiagnosed thyroid disease such as hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism can also lead to bone loss. This can be due to malnutrition, metabolic disruption, and taking too much synthetic thyroid hormone.

Natural Ways to Reverse Bone Loss

It can be disheartening to discover that the drugs big pharmaceutical companies are pushing to reverse bone loss can actually make things worse. This is why I advise my patients to take the natural approach to preventing bone loss first. This means first assessing any nutrient deficiencies, making necessary dietary changes, getting the right amount of exercise, and adding the right type of dietary supplements.

• Assessing Nutrient Deficiencies

Since nutrient deficiencies are a common hidden cause of many diseases including bone disease, it's important to assess any vitamin or mineral deficiencies that might be present. For my patients suffering from unusual symptoms, I recommend the Vitamin D3 Blood Testing, 25 Hydroxy. Vitamin D3 blood tests are used to determine if bone weakness, bone malformation, or abnormal metabolism of calcium (reflected by abnormal calcium, phosphorus or PTH blood tests) is occurring as a result of a deficiency or excess of vitamin D3.

Just take this test to the nearest LapCorp Office for a blood draw and you and your doctor will have your results within 7-10 business days!

And since gluten intolerance is a common contributor to eventual bone loss, I also recommend by patients take the Alcat Comprehensive Wellness 1-Kit. This test tells you exactly which foods and chemicals you might be sensitive to, and how severely.

This test can be taken at the same time the vitamin D3 blood test is done.

• Dietary Changes

   

One of the easiest and best steps to preventing unnecessary bone loss is cutting the junk out of your diet. This means trading in your soda, boxed food, canned food, and fast food for nutrient-rich whole food. A whole-food diet consists of lean protein, organic vegetables, wild-caught fish, whole grains, fruits, dairy, and healthy fats.

Get plenty of variety in your diet and boredom will never be a problem!

• Exercise

Exercise is your key to preventing bone loss and other chronic health problems. Thirty minutes of moderate exercise just three days per week may be all you need to maintain a healthy weight and stave off disease. Walking, hiking, cycling, swimming, yoga, and strength-training keep your muscles strong, your joints lubricated, and your body healthy and fit.

• Supplements

Diamond Nutritional's Foundation Vitamin Formula

To prevent bone loss and other chronic health conditions due to malnutrition, I recommend adding a multivitamin supplement. Even if you're already taking one, you might want to consider stopping it.

Many store-bought dietary supplements are nothing but synthetics loaded with preservatives and chemicals. Diamond Nutritional's Foundation Vitamin Formula is superior because it is made from high-quality ingredients with no additives or preservatives.

Diamond Nutritional's Balanced Omega Formula

Omega-3 fatty acids are essential to fighting inflammation and maintaining joint health. Unfortunately, most store-bought fish oils do not contain the necessary amounts of EPA and DHA to make the difference your body needs.

Many products may claim to contain 1,000 mg. or 1,200 mg. on the front label, but on the back label the EPA and DHA may only add up to 300 mg. or so. The rest are nothing but fillers.

Diamond Nutritional's Balanced Omega Formula contains nothing 100% molecularly distilled fish oil for powerful anti-inflammatory joint support!

Joint Support

Diamond Nutritional's Joint Support Formula

When it comes to maintaining healthy joints, there are a few essential nutrients your body needs. Diamond Nutritional's Joint Support Formula offers a synergistic blend of ingredients designed to cushion and support your joints while decreasing chronic inflammation. These ingredients include vitamin C, glucosamine sulfate KC1, chondroitin sulfate, and bromelain.

Diamond Nutritional's Chelated Magnesium

According to a study published by Osteoporosis International, magnesium deficiency is often linked to gluten intolerance (due to malabsorption) and the development of osteoporosis and other bone diseases. Diamond Nutritional's Chelated Magnesium offers superior absorption over other forms of magnesium. Just one dosage supplies you with 59% of your daily requirement of this essential mineral!

Knowing the real cause of bone loss and brittle bones is your first step to understanding how to fight it. Taking care of your health means addressing nutritional deficiencies, getting plenty of exercise, and taking in the essential nutrients your body needs.

Remember, getting older doesn't mean you have to suffer with debilitating disease. These could be the best years of your life!

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