Great Bones book- Dr. Keith McCormick

[Raleigh59]

Has anyone here read his book, Great Bones ?

[Fruitandnutcase]

Yes, I bought it in 2021, it’s a good book, it’s not my first ‘go to’ book for information but there’s lots of information about diet etc. He has osteoporosis himself so he has done a lot of research.. I’ve not read it for a while and from what I remembered a lot of it is geared more to the American market (I’m in the U.K.) but it is still worth reading if you have the t8me and want to buy it.

[Raleigh59 in reply to Fruitandnutcase]

I spoke to him on the phone

And he very much upset me.

He said “ with those numbers you will have to do both medicine and supplements . “ the medicines can put me in a much worse situation.

Regarding the book, I really just want the pages of what tests to get done and what medicine is safest

[Fruitandnutcase in reply to Raleigh59]

I would want to have had a DEXA scan that shows very poor results before even contemplating taking drugs like bisphosphonates.

You also need to be tested to ensure that your osteoporosis is not caused by hyperparathyroidism - if it has you must get your parathyroids fixed before starting any sort of treatment.

Also being coeliac or having IBD, having had an early menopause, having taken steroids or PPIs, rheumatoid arthritis, an overactive thyroid gland (not the same as the parathyroid glands) having had dietary problems such as anorexia can all be markers for osteoporosis.

The prescribed drugs here in the U.K. usually start with bisphosphonates - either tablets or infusions - and go on from there. The one I would be very wary of is Prolia as, if you want to stop taking it for any reason or even if you are late in getting your regular dose then you can get rebound fractures.

I gave up on bisphosphonates after feeling awful for the few months I took them and I am taking my chances with weightbearing exercise, good bone friendly healthy food, green vegetables, almonds, bone broth, oily fish etc plus vitamin D3, K2Mk7, boron, a seaweed based calcium tablet to top up my diet, magnesium and an algae based DHA omega 3 oil capsule. I never drink sodas or eat fast food and I’ve also got a Marodyne LiV platform.

A lot depends on the results of your DEXA scan and how you feel about having osteoporosis. I didn’t like how I felt while taking bone drugs but lots of people take them with absolutely no problems at all.

You could always have a look on the US osteoporosis website and look at Margaret Martin’s melioguide.com/ Website. She is a very sensible Canadian physical therapist who has a strong interest in osteoporosis.

[Raleigh59 in reply to Fruitandnutcase]

I am considering buying the LiV platform. How is that going ?

The great bones book is brand new. I am considering doing osteostrong $160 per month.

I will take any supplement that could help. People are very successful on some medicines. My numbers are very bad .

I’ve had some blood checked . CBC and thyroid and parathyroid are all normal so far .

[Fruitandnutcase in reply to Raleigh59]

The platform is good - I started with just a couple of minutes and worked up to ten. I’ve not had it long enough to know if it’s helping or not though.

Good that your thyroid etc are all ok.

I bought my book in 2021 and you’re right it is by Keith McCormack and is called The Whole Body Approach to Osteoporosis : How to improve bone strength and reduce fracture risk (Whole Body Healing) , it was published in 2009 so it’s not the same book. I blame uk Amazon for throwing it up in my search plus not looking closely enough to see it wasn’t the same book so sorry about that.

[FearFracture in reply to Fruitandnutcase]

Have you had another DEXA since you started using the Marodyne LiV?

[Fruitandnutcase in reply to FearFracture]

No and because I stopped taking my bisphosphonates after four months I’m not expecting to have one any time soon. I wasn’t likely to get one until after the five years I was scheduled to take the bisphosphonates for anyway.

[FearFracture in reply to Raleigh59]

Have you purchased the Marodyne LiV or started OsteoStrong?

[Alisa25]

I just started this book. It’s pretty big, but I’ll skip around. I found his 1st book, “The Whole Body Approach to Osteoporosis “ to be very informative.

As far as testing goes, he’ll look at your routine lab work results from your doctor and go from there. CTX, calcium, homosystine, hs CRP, DHEA-S and total Iga was additionally requested.

I am taking Alendronate Sodium, which he recommended I take for a year. I also take lots of supplements. I have not had any issues with the alendronate, but hope to get off of it after my next dexa scan in April.

[Raleigh59 in reply to Alisa25]

Did you have a consult with Dr. McCormick?

[Alisa25 in reply to Raleigh59]

I did. He recommended that I start with supplements as I did not want to go on medication. Unfortunately, months after I had more lab work and it showed I was losing more bone. His recommendation then was to to go on medication for a year. It will be a year on April which is when I will have my next Dexa scan. I’ll send him my results . My endocrinologist wanted me to go on the medication for at least 3 years. I’d rather follow Dr. McCormick’s advice.

[Raleigh59 in reply to Alisa25]

Which lab work showed you losing more bone? Also did you put the full list of labs and tests to do in your last message? bc I have to ask my endocrinologist for all of them. I don’t want medicine but I am considering risondronate 5 mgs per day because it’s the lowest dose.

[Pte82 in reply to Raleigh59]

Raleigh59, if your going to be using alendronate research geranylgeraniol which partially inhibits negative effects of alendronate on cell viability, cell cycle, function, and cell cytoskeleton. It might be an additional option for increasing osteoblast function and reducing apoptosis of osteoblasts in a condition treated with low bisphosphonate concentration. If you don't use alendronate, research geranylgeraniol, a side chain component of vitamin K2MK4, for bone health. Also consider annatto tocotrienol too for it's bone building properties in addition to other remarkable benefits. I use 375 mg a day. Weight bearing and resistance exercise is vital for our bones both building and retaining. Don't overlook collagen, it represents so much of our bones and tissue.

[Raleigh59 in reply to Pte82]

Thank you! which exact brand and name products do you use ?

[Pte82 in reply to Raleigh59]

Raleigh59, I forgot to add: Always consult your health care professional before using any supplement. I hate to mention brands. The geranylgeraniol I'm using is from New Zeland. The active ingredient of annatto tocotrienol is identified as DeltaGold and can be found in many brands. My interest in this tocotrienol began when I discovered it's anti-cancer properties which introduced me to a world I did not know existed. One caveat, if your using a supplement containing tocopherol separate taking annatto tocotrienol by six hours as tocopherol will diminish it.

[Alisa25 in reply to Raleigh59]

The C-telopeotide (CTX) test will give you your bone resorption level. The higher it is, the more the bone loss. I listed all the tests I had done through Dr. McCormick. He also looked at routine lab work that I had done through my primary care doctor , Complete blood count, metabolic panel, lipid, calcium, vitamin D. I think that was it. My endo also requests some of these. I’m on weekly 70 mgs of alendronate sodium.

[Raleigh59 in reply to Alisa25]

even if I am open to taking medication - I am sure the side effects will create obstacles for it. I have researched strontium citrate and it seems that it can both exaggerate improvement but by 10% of the improvement so if you improvement 1.0 in dexa . 10 is an exaggeration . I feel no other choice but strontium citrate as my method of building bone now. I am taking 500 mgs per day when the protocol is 680 . I also take plenty of other supplements but the building of bone I believe is in the strontium citrate for me now and the other supplements are just to maintain. So it’s stimulate new bone ( strontium citrate) and sustain bone I have ( other supplements )

I am sure I will have to go on medicine for at least a year and I want to do the 5 mg per day choice so I can stop if need be.

[Alisa25 in reply to Raleigh59]

If the strontium citrate works for you and you are able to hold off on medication, that would be great. Please keep us posted.

If you must go on medication, I agree to go on it for the least amount of time.

[Raleigh59 in reply to Alisa25]

yes my plan is to take one 250 mgs strontium citrate every 8 hours

[FearFracture in reply to Alisa25]

Have you had your April 2024 DEXA ?

[Alisa25 in reply to FearFracture]

My last DEXA was April 2023. Not a drastic change. T-Scores. Spine-2.9(was -3.2 in 2021) Hip -2.4 ( was -2.2) Fem Back -3.1 ( was -3.0). My Endo recommended that I stay on the Alendronate for at least another year, which I did. I just stopped taking it this month. I’m still taking all the supplements. I’ll wait 6 months, then have more lab work done. How are you doing?

[dw98611]

It was highly recommended in another osteoporosis forum, and he talks about how to treat hypercalciuria (excess calcium in the urine) without taking thiazide (diuretic) medication. It's on my list to buy.

[Pte82 in reply to dw98611]

dw98611, boron helps retain magnesium and calcium. Diuretics can lead to magnesium loss as well. Magnesium is needed for the activation of vitamin D. Sugar is a cause of calcium and vitamin D loss and interferes with bone healing. looks like you can't have your cake and eat it too.

[Wyaatch]

who is the author?…any brief summary? Thanks.

[Raleigh59 in reply to Wyaatch]

Dr. McCormick - he has videos on YouTube also. He’s very informative. His book is 700 pages so I am not buying it .

One thing he explained is that there are mini fractures from exercise that we don’t know about before large fractures and that the supplements and or medicine help strengthen the bones against the mini fractures.