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What vitamins and minerals to take for healthier bones??

Lispuhiza profile image
8 Replies

Hi everyone,my mum is 74 years old,she suffers from spine osteoporosis,what kind of supplements do you recommend?? Any advice please!

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Lispuhiza
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Kaarina profile image
Kaarina

I am sorry to hear about your mum.

Well ... I take a Vitamin D capsule prescribed by my gp. I buy K2, cod liver oil capsules, boron, magnesium glycinate (I find this very kind to my stomach unlike some of the other magnesium on the market). I drink Kefir.

Weight-bearing exercise is of course important if your mum is able to do this (ie walking, tai chi etc) as is of course a healthy diet. If you are in the UK the National Osteoporosis Society has a good few helpful leaflets that you can see on line or ask for them to send you copies, of whichever ones you would like. nos.org.uk/

Has your mum been diagnosed recently? Has she been prescribed a combined calcium/Vitamin D pill to take daily?

Lispuhiza profile image
Lispuhiza in reply to Kaarina

Thank you Karina,No in fact she was prescribed only ibuprofen for aches,but we decided to put her on supplements such as cod liver oil,vit d3 oral ampule 300.000 iu one per month,calcium 500 mg, magnesium,b12 500 mcg,b6 100 mg because she also suffers from feet neuropathy,but i don't if those are the right doses,maybe she need more,to elevate the doses,we are from Kosovo,maybe you where is,doctors here don't have much knowledge about supplements,thanks again Kaarina!

Lispuhiza profile image
Lispuhiza in reply to Kaarina

Kaarina i almost forgot to ask you,How much calcium and d3 do yout ake daily?

Kaarina profile image
Kaarina in reply to Lispuhiza

Hi Lispuhiza,

I do not take any calcium tablets. I discussed my diet with my doctor and he agreed that I have enough calcium in my daily diet so no need to take any calcium supplement. My doctor prescribes my Vitamin D3 capsules. They are 800u caps. It would be a good idea to have your mother's vitamin D levels tested to see if they are low or not if this has not already been done. Vitamin D levels can vary depending on the time of year so testing twice a year is ideal.

The National Osteoporosis Society in the UK produces quite a few good leaflets which may be of help to you and your mother. This link may be of some help to you:

nos.org.uk/about-osteoporos...

Lispuhiza profile image
Lispuhiza in reply to Kaarina

Thank you dear Kaarina 😘

Kaarina profile image
Kaarina in reply to Lispuhiza

Two more links that may be helpful for you and your mother:

nos.org.uk/media/2077/healt...

nos.org.uk/about-osteoporos...

LynneH-19 profile image
LynneH-19

Hi Lispuhza. Welcome to you and your Mum.

I take similar supplements to Kaarina. If possible get your Mums vit D level measured. Otherwise you are guessing at how much she requires. There is differences of opinion as to whether daily D3 is better than a very large monthly dose.

We all tend to take different D3 doses. I took 5000 IU daily until I reached my target optimal range of 150 to 175 nmol/ L, then I maintain this by taking 2000 IU most days. I appreciate that if D blood tests are not available in your area, these ranges won’t help you.

My GP refuses to request vit D tests so I by pass her, arrange my own twice yearly tests and buy my own D3 from the Internet. I personally find the Drs Best brand agrees with me and does alter my blood level.

I manage to get Ca from my diet, by including dairy especially yogurt. The RDA for Ca is 1000 to 1200 mg a day. There’s no advantage in taking much more, as excessive amounts can sometimes result in other problems like arterial deposits and kidney stones.

Instead we can help the absorption and utilisation of Ca by taking other supplements ie Mg, D3, vit A retinol and K2 mk 7 / mk4.

You may have already read ‘Vitamin K2 and the Ca Paradox’ by Kate Rheaume Bleue. She talks about all the above.

I buy Mg bisglycinate in 150 mg tablets and take 2 or 3 a day, depending on my Ca intake. I roughly aim for a ratio of 2 Ca to 1 Mg. So if my Ca intake was say 1200 mg, I would take 3 Mg, giving me 450mg, with the rest from diet. It’s all approximately.

You mention B12 and neuropathy. Has your Mum been diagnosed with Pernicious anaemia? Before I retired from haematology, we usually found a low B12 ( less than 25). with a high Folate ( greater than 22;) was usually diagnostic of PA. The Full Blood Count and blood film also displayed a characteristic PA pattern.

If your Mum has PA, she must get B12 injections, because she won’t be able to absorb oral B12. They used to be given every 3 months.

If the cause of her neuropathy is unknown, perhaps it’s worth asking your doctor for a full blood count and blood film.

Finally adequate protein is essential. See blogs.creighton.edu/heaney/...

Good luck to you both.

Lispuhiza profile image
Lispuhiza in reply to LynneH-19

Thank you LynneH-19,my mum's ferritin is 13 i think is low,doctor says that the neuropathy it's from blood sugar even tho is controlled,eventually did any damage to the nerves,and some other says it's from spine,spinal osteoporosis confused really,unfortunately we live in such a poor and corrupted country,zero support from state,every single lab test you have to do it private,she takes a dozen of drugs,we often get tired from all those things,thanks again i appreciate so much your advices thank you..LynneH-19 😊

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