| Osteoporosis treatment guidelines encourage | | | | as Coumadin or Warfarin should consult with their |
| adequate calcium and vitamin D intake even when | | | | doctor before taking a vitamin K supplement. |
| osteoporosis medication has been prescribed. Many | | | | 4. BUILD BONE QUALITY WITH STRONTIUM |
| bone health specialists now recommend much higher | | | | CITRATE |
| vitamin D intake than the official recommendations...as | | | | Pharmaceutical companies have conducted extensive |
| well as additional vitamins and minerals such as | | | | research showing that strontium can improve bone |
| magnesium, vitamin K and strontium. | | | | density 8%-14% when taken with sufficient calcium |
| Doctors will often prescribe some form of medication | | | | and vitamin D. Although prescription strontium is not |
| when a patient has been diagnosed with osteopenia | | | | available in North America, there is no evidence that |
| or osteoporosis. But the U.S. National Osteoporosis | | | | pharmaceutical strontium produces better results than |
| Foundation (NOF) advises that everyone get the | | | | the strontium citrate found within a health food store |
| recommended levels of calcium and vitamin D | | | | or on-line. Strontium is best taken on an empty |
| regardless of whether they are using osteoporosis | | | | stomach and away from calcium supplements, as |
| medication. Many specialists also advise patients to | | | | calcium can reduce the bioavailability of strontium by |
| add other essential minerals and vitamins to their | | | | 60-70%. |
| osteoporosis treatment program and to get more | | | | A year's supply of strontium citrate will cost |
| than the recommended levels of vitamin D. | | | | approximately $150. |
| The following osteoporosis treatment guidelines go | | | | 5. ASSESS THE ROLE OF PROGESTERONE IN YOUR |
| beyond the basics to provide a richer program for | | | | OSTEOPOROSIS PREVENTION PROGRAM |
| building strong bones. | | | | The 2002 Women's Health Initiative (WHI) revealed |
| 1. CHOOSE YOUR CALCIUM SUPPLEMENT | | | | that hormone replacement therapy (HRT) increased |
| For adults over fifty, the recommended levels of | | | | the risk of breast cancer, heart attacks and strokes. |
| vitamins and minerals required for healthy bones are | | | | But it also reported a significant decrease in the rate |
| as follows: | | | | of hip fractures amongst women taking HRT. As |
| - 1,200-1,500 mg of calcium | | | | HRT refers to a group of medications that artificially |
| - 1,000 IU of vitamin D | | | | boost hormone levels through the use of estrogens, |
| - 120 mcg vitamin K | | | | progesterone (or progestins) and sometimes |
| - 320 mg of magnesium (420 mg for men) | | | | testosterone-there is growing interest in hormone |
| Enriching our diets with bone healthy foods is always | | | | treatments amongst women who experience rapid |
| the first step in building an osteoporosis treatment | | | | bone loss after reaching menopause. |
| program. Supplements can be used to reinforce a | | | | Although there are no large double-blind, placebo |
| good diet and provide an "insurance plan" that the | | | | controlled studies to prove the effectiveness of |
| recommended levels are achieved each day. Getting | | | | progesterone treatment, smaller studies suggest that |
| all of these vitamins and minerals in two tablets a day | | | | the hormone should be included within osteoporosis |
| is the simplest and most convenient way of acquiring | | | | treatment guidelines, especially for post menopausal |
| the recommended intake. This is possible with calcium | | | | women. Dr. John R. Lee, is best known in this field for |
| carbonate...which has slightly greater absorption than | | | | his study of 100 women over three years and finding |
| calcium citrate when taken with meals. | | | | that progesterone helped to increase bone density |
| 2. MAINTAIN ADEQUATE BLOOD LEVELS OF | | | | by 3-5% each year while estrogen provided no |
| VITAMIN D | | | | additional benefit. |
| Vitamin D plays an essential role in helping us to | | | | A year's supply of progesterone Cream will cost |
| absorb calcium into our bones. However, studies in | | | | approximately $90-120 in Canada and the United |
| the U.S. (NHANES) and Canada have found that | | | | States. |
| approximately 75% of North Americans suffer from | | | | 6. EXERCISE! EXERCISE! EXERCISE! |
| vitamin D deficiency for at least part of the year. | | | | Strength exercises are an essential part of all |
| Fifteen minutes in the sun will not provide sufficient | | | | osteoporosis treatment guidelines. Finding an exercise |
| vitamin D for many people...and certainly not in the | | | | program that we enjoy is the most important |
| winter for people living north of Boston. | | | | consideration...because that is the one that we will |
| Depleted vitamin D levels not only limit calcium | | | | continue throughout the years needed to build |
| absorption but can also compromise the immune | | | | stronger bones. |
| system. The Vitamin D Council is encouraging people | | | | It isn't necessary to buy expensive equipment or a |
| to be proactive about protecting their health by | | | | gym membership to get the exercise we need. |
| increasing their vitamin D intake and monitoring | | | | Walking, tai chi and dancing are wonderful ways to |
| adequacy through regular vitamin D blood tests. For | | | | keep fit. It is also possible to buy a wide variety of |
| people in northern regions, the following program is | | | | fitness DVDs that we can use in the comfort of our |
| recommended for inclusion not only within | | | | own home. Entire fitness programs can be purchased |
| osteoporosis treatment guidelines but for the | | | | for less than $100. |
| prevention of a variety of diseases. | | | | SUPPLEMENTS DON'T HAVE TO BE EXPENSIVE |
| - Late Fall and Winter: 5,000 IU | | | | The supplements listed with the osteoporosis |
| - Early Fall and Spring: 2,000 IU | | | | treatment guidelines don't have to be expensive. |
| - Summer: 15-20 minutes of sunshine mid-day | | | | Producers of specialty formulas rarely produce |
| 3. ADD VITAMIN K2 TO YOUR OSTEOPOROSIS | | | | scientific evidence that their products are worth a |
| TREATMENT PROGRAM | | | | premium price. Generic supplements that meet |
| A high quality bone care supplement will often include | | | | recommended levels for healthy bones are often |
| vitamin K1...which is most effective at supporting | | | | used within scientific research and have been shown |
| healthy insulin levels. Vitamin K2 is more effective at | | | | to support improved bone quality and bone density. |
| ensuring that calcium stays in our bones and out of | | | | In addition to investing in generic supplements, United |
| our arteries. | | | | States residents can often reduce the cost of their |
| There are many forms of vitamin K2 but MK-4 and | | | | osteoporosis treatment program by buying |
| MK-7 have proven most effective at reducing bone | | | | prescription medication on-line from Canadian |
| fractures and improving bone density. The | | | | companies. Canadians can reduce their costs by |
| manufacturers of MK-7 claim that their supplements | | | | buying vitamin and mineral supplements on-line from |
| provide superior health benefits because the vitamin | | | | the United States. |
| K2 remains in the blood longer than MK-4. This claim | | | | The above osteoporosis treatment guidelines are not |
| has not yet been substantiated through a published | | | | intended to replace prescription medications but to |
| research paper. | | | | support the effectiveness of the medication. |
| A year's supply of 100 mcg Vitamin K2 (MK-4) will | | | | Investing in the recommended levels of calcium, |
| cost approximately $25 while a year's supply of 90 | | | | vitamins and minerals will help to prevent fractures |
| mcg Vitamin K2 (MK-7) will cost approximately $80. | | | | and hip replacements... keeping us active and free of |
| ***Note that people taking blood thinning drugs such | | | | bone fractures as we age. |