I am really trying to figure out the best way to minimize or correct osteoporosis.
Given I live a healthy life style, grow my own vegetables, exercise with weights, have low stress levels, I still have developed perhaps because I have never taken hormones in my life.
I want as natural a way to remedy this problem as safely as possible.
Any suggestions appreciated. I had a problem with taking Peak K2 (started getting bone protrusion in wrist area and weakness in hands. so I stopped this. I have researched strontium and am not sure about the long-term effects of this.
I am down to large amounts of silica and eating runes, increasing by a bit the amount of soy I eat and taking a supplement with some K2 in it.
Any other suggestions? What about osteogenic loading? Us ut really an answer?
Any help appreciated.
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Triplebalance3
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Also you may need more Vitamin K2 than is present in a multi-supplement. The Australians have suggested 180 mcg per day. I take two 100 mcg tablets per day.
Now I am confused because there are 1000 micrograms in a milligram so 200 micrograms would only be a fraction of a milligram. OK - I'm not the best at math and don't understand why the two MKs would be different in measurement. Can you clarify? BTW - a new Osteostrong center just opened up not far from where I live. I will be checking it out. Here is their website: osteostrongpasadena.com
Again - I surely appreciate your help and your learning on this path.
I just edited the reply and included research showing that mk7 is effective at a much smaller dosage than mk4. While I commend your doctor for actually knowing about Vitamin K2 (most don't!) this is something s/he should also have known.
This is interesting. Thanks again for your feedback. My doctor is an osteopath and MD practicing integrative health. I think I am probably learning more than he knows about this but he is thankfully open to what information I bring to him. He is very willing to work with me on this and so your input is so valuable. We discussed strontium and he insisted I see a cardiologist for a heart test before taking it. I am happy with the way in which he approaches things. I am learning that all these minerals and supplements really need to be balanced in the amounts you take so a lot of research is necessary.
I have now read this book and thank you so much for suggesting it. It has clarified things a lot. Also I want to suggest this book which is amazing also. This is:
No Nonsense Bone Health Guide by Lani Simpson. lanisimpson.com
Her depth of knowledge is amazing although she does not go into the Vit. K arena very much. But for a broader understanding of the picture of bone health she has great information. I ordered her audio book from the library.
I feel like I have options and an educated path to walk now. Thanks again.
The one I took is MK-4. Made by AOR - with high dose Menatetrenone. Working with my doctor I took it, hand problems developed, so I stopped and they basically went away although I still have some ramifications of that time. Then the doctor suggested I try it again just to make sure and the problems did start. So I stopped. I have to go with my intuition on this one that this was not right for me. Thanks for your response.
If you are interested you can obtain K2 from diet. It is available in grassfed (never grainfed, not even "finished" with grain) animals, including eggs and dairy. It is found in some cheeses, like brie, probably yoghurt and kefir, it is found in some fermented vegetables (sauerkraut the most familiar, there are many others) and other fermented foods,. The source for mk7 supplements is natto, the fermented soy beloved by some Japanese but an acquired taste for the average Westener, which Japanese researchers are happy to call a "superfood" for its valuable contribution to preventing osteoporosis in the population which consumes it regularly. We do convert a small amount of the K1 we get in our everyday diet in our own gut, but not enough to be really helpful in managing a pre-existing thin bones diagnosis.
Thanks - I do most of the above. I even grow my own greens and most veggies. Also I make a Ruben sandwich from Tempeh (close to Natto) and sauerkraut. I have just changed my blender morning drink from fruit juice to sometimes organic soy milk for a bit more calcium and some phytoestrogen. I suspect not taking hormones and being 72 is pretty par for the course with the osteoporosis situation. Oh - I just read that a beer a day is good because something in the hops really helps the bones. This is good news to me. I think less coffee is in store for me also. And in Europe apparently silica is much recommended so I am upping this also. The march goes on!
I'm 72 and I have never taken hormones. I only found out about bone thinning when I was prescribed prednisone to treat polymyalgia rheumatica several years ago. But I worked for nearly 20 years in a library which involved a lot of carrying, lifting, stretching and pulling of heavy books!
Speaking of libraries I just found the book on K2 you recommended in the library and they have it on hold for me. I guess there are workplace hazards in whatever you do.
You must be great at research and that is why you have so much information for all of us. Thanks again.
No - I guess I need a specialist for that. I'll check with my doctor.
Yes change your diet to leafy greens kale swiss chard etc eat yogurt or kefir which is so delicious they even say figs and prunes build bones up also some oily fish is great for bones and dont forget your weight workout I use the nyk walking vest its weighted so I walk my bone strong and that is basically it but no smoking and caffeine must be kept down to a min very little tea or coffee for the time your trying to re build the bone
I'm 57 y/o. 6 years ago I switched to a plant-based diet, bone density and calcium levels were fine, vitamin D3 has always been a bit low but that was addressed and was discovered around 2005 when I developed Hashimoto's which turned into Hypothyroidism (there is a link between them).
In 2005 I developed a DVT in my left leg as a result of taking estrogen. It healed and has been resolved. No more estrogen since and all my labs have been fine
Flash forward to 2016, I developed paroxysmal Atrial Fib and put on aspirin and 25 mg Metoprolol by a cardiologist, I'm a non-smoker, occasional drinker, and never had any cardiac issues.
2018:
I was put on Lasix by the cardiologist when she saw a bit of swelling in my left leg even though I tried to explain it was from a post DVT I had many years ago and it was expected.
2019: A bone density test revealed osteoporosis, arrangements were made for Reclast treatments but I refused. I had not taken Calcium tabs in years after learning about a link between those and cardiac issues. After a short-term A-Fib episode due to being in the hospital for severe stomach pain (which turned out to be a mild duodenal ulcer) the cardiologist put me on Coumadin, which I took for several months.
This past December I sustained 2 compression fractures after overexertion, in earlyJanuary had to be rushed to the ER for sudden PE's in my lungs and had to have cardioversion . The hospital cardiologist later said the PE's were a direct result of the fractures in my vertebrae. (traumatic injury) I spent he next 2 weeks in the hospital, had a vertebroplasty to "cement" the fractures and was loaded up with IV thrombolytic, diuretics, and Cardizem even though I never had hypertension. I'm a non-smoker and basically in stable health.
After discharge I was put on Eliquis, Cardizem, Lasix, and my Metoprolol was bumped up to 50 mg.
My weight ballooned in the past year after 2 deaths in my family in 2019 and I lost focus on taking care of me. In February I made lifestyle changes and cut out junk food and started eating healthier.
In recent months I started doing research on the causes of osteoporosis and was shocked to learn that loop diuretics was one of them, in my case it was Lasix. I also learned certain beta-blockers causes bone loss, in my case Metoprolol. Also I learned it was the same with blood thinners, Coumadin being one.
I have a new compression fracture and now a herniated disc and am awaiting surgery, currently living in agonizing pain, cannot even work until this is resolved.
What kind of supplements are you taking? Have you ever heard of Algaecal? It's made from algae and is now supposed to be FDA approved (if not already) but it has a high rating for increasing bone mass. I recently started on a similar product from Peak Performance (due to cost, the Algaecal is a bit expensive, i'm guessing around $75 for a 30 day supply i'm not sure) It's called Raw Whole Food Calcium and made from wild marine algae.
I still will not take Calcium even after being advised by my primary doc, I may as well swallow rocks.
I'm in the process of making changes and will be back with updates. Feel better
AlgaeCal has calcium, magnesium, boron and Vit K2 from algae; It is the only calcium supplement my gut can tolerate. That company has an accompanying supplement they recommend: Strontium Boost. I used to take a different strontium but stopped when I read a lack of research on strontoim citrate. The takers of this SC swear how it helped their bones but it is the strontium which influences the bone density test.
Thank you for you input. I get adds for Algae Cal popping up on my social media accounts all of the time. It may be great. I don't know. As for strontium, my doctor recommended I see a cardiologist to make sure my heart was good before taking it. After more research and that doctor visit I decided against it. I have read two excellent books on osteoporosis which have helped me a lot. One was recommended by a participant in this group and the other by a respected chiropractor. So much well-researched info in these books."Vitamin K and the Calcium Paradox" by Kate Rheaume-Bleue is one and the other is "Dr. Lani's No-Nonsense Bone Health Guide" by Lani Simpson. These books have helped me figure out my path, which can change according to age and situation, and hopefully they might help you too.
thank you both! 4 days ago I had my 3rd surgery, a kyphoplasty this time, for another compression fx in my T8 area, my recent MRI didn't seem to show evidence of any disc issues, (at least my neurosurgeon didn't mention any). I'm out of work until the first week of January. I'm now seeing a pain management dr and return next month, I really hate to take meds but it's impossible for me to work in pain and I don't want disability, I don't think I would qualify anyway.
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