Last Friday’s post discussed osteoporosis, another post on the topic, and ways that we could avoid fractures while maintaining our abilities as we age. Our current approach to osteoporosis is outdated like our approach to most chronic illnesses. As with other chronic diseases, we identify risk factors for osteoporosis and then we intervene late with medication. Osteoporosis is a bone loss disease, and we give medication that rebuilds the bone. Wouldn’t it be better to never lose the bone while slowing the development of other chronic illnesses as well?
This article is very enlightening and encouraging. I will be 72 in just a few days. I have osteopenia but have read so much about all of the "side effects" of the current drugs used to treat it, that I only take Calcium and D-3 every day and get as much weight-bearing exercise as possible. Living on the 5th floor of a cement and granite building is a challenge, but the exercise is good for me. I would like to do more to prevent further bone loss, but with a method that would be more beneficial and less harmful overall. I wonder if what you have discussed above would be beneficial to those of us who already have bone loss?
I had my right knee replaced a year ago in March and my L hip replaced a year ago last September. I am pretty much bone-on bone in my L knee ( have had nerve ablation, which is still holding, a year later) and I have 3 compressed discs in my lower lumbar region. Aside from my joint issues, I am relatively healthy!
The Mayo article recommended starting the estradiol with the early stages of menopause. As I said, we need significant research into this topic to really work it out. If I was a woman, I would probably take losartan and would certainly take it if I had a blood pressure of 130/80 or higher, chronic kidney disease, or artery disease. Thanks for your question.
There is alot of research that suggests that D3 needs to be taken with K2 in order to help get calcium into the bone. K2 is hard to find in today's diet so I take a combo of D3 -K2 supplement. Also, with all of the calcium already in supplements and added to food (juices, milk, cereal etc), it is suggested that the problem is not lack of calcium in the body but getting the existing calcium to go into the bone is the challenge. Too much calcium through supplementation is a worse problem (e.g., plaque, stroke, heart attacks etc) so i don't take any additional calcium supplementation. Food for thought....
You are correct. This is not a calcium deficiency problem. There is plenty of calcium in the body. It just moves. I have seen women with more calcium in their aorta than they had in their spine. Both diseases are caused by increased oxidants and inflammation. It is all connected.
Your comment is important. "Insurance companies" don't pay the medical bills for most working Americans or their families. Your employers are self-insured for the most part. Insurance companies, don't provide insurance, they merely process the claims for the medical care that you receive. Most diabolically, they make more when there are more claims and care costs more. Everyone except the healthcare system wants better health at lower cost, but these financial arrangements are a powerful barrier. More on that Wednesday
This article is very enlightening and encouraging. I will be 72 in just a few days. I have osteopenia but have read so much about all of the "side effects" of the current drugs used to treat it, that I only take Calcium and D-3 every day and get as much weight-bearing exercise as possible. Living on the 5th floor of a cement and granite building is a challenge, but the exercise is good for me. I would like to do more to prevent further bone loss, but with a method that would be more beneficial and less harmful overall. I wonder if what you have discussed above would be beneficial to those of us who already have bone loss?
I had my right knee replaced a year ago in March and my L hip replaced a year ago last September. I am pretty much bone-on bone in my L knee ( have had nerve ablation, which is still holding, a year later) and I have 3 compressed discs in my lower lumbar region. Aside from my joint issues, I am relatively healthy!
The Mayo article recommended starting the estradiol with the early stages of menopause. As I said, we need significant research into this topic to really work it out. If I was a woman, I would probably take losartan and would certainly take it if I had a blood pressure of 130/80 or higher, chronic kidney disease, or artery disease. Thanks for your question.
Is candesartan just as good?
There is alot of research that suggests that D3 needs to be taken with K2 in order to help get calcium into the bone. K2 is hard to find in today's diet so I take a combo of D3 -K2 supplement. Also, with all of the calcium already in supplements and added to food (juices, milk, cereal etc), it is suggested that the problem is not lack of calcium in the body but getting the existing calcium to go into the bone is the challenge. Too much calcium through supplementation is a worse problem (e.g., plaque, stroke, heart attacks etc) so i don't take any additional calcium supplementation. Food for thought....
You are correct. This is not a calcium deficiency problem. There is plenty of calcium in the body. It just moves. I have seen women with more calcium in their aorta than they had in their spine. Both diseases are caused by increased oxidants and inflammation. It is all connected.
I would think funding such research might be of benefit to the insurance companies - for don't they pay if people break hips, etc?
Your comment is important. "Insurance companies" don't pay the medical bills for most working Americans or their families. Your employers are self-insured for the most part. Insurance companies, don't provide insurance, they merely process the claims for the medical care that you receive. Most diabolically, they make more when there are more claims and care costs more. Everyone except the healthcare system wants better health at lower cost, but these financial arrangements are a powerful barrier. More on that Wednesday
YUK!!
Does candesartan have the same effect as losartan?
Yes. Any generic name that ends witth "sartan" blocks the angiotensin II mitt that leads to oxidant production and inflammation
Another great informing article. Also there is a really good program on Blue Zones that offer some information on longevity.
Thanks again Laura. The Blue Zones are really interesting. Exercise and diet seem to be the key