Bone "Building" DrugsOur bodies continually remodel our bones to keep them strong. Bone cells called osteoclasts resorb old bone, and osteoblasts replace these areas with new bone. Drugs that are given for osteoporosis, such as Fosamax,TM Actonel,TM Boniva,TM Reclast,TM and ProliaTM suppress the activity of osteoclasts, so resorbtion of the bone doesn't occur. Although this makes bones look denser on bone density tests, unfortunately the normal remodeling of the bone does not occur. As time goes by, the bone becomes composed of more and more old, brittle, worn out bone. Taking these drugs actually increases your risk of fractures, the problem they are supposed to prevent. These fractures often occur with no injury that would cause a fracture, just during normal use. [1] FosamaxTM has also been linked to esophageal cancer. One bone building drug, Forteo,TM stimulates osteoblasts, so although it really does build bone, the stimulus can result in osteosarcoma, a form of bone cancer, in patients who take it. [2] One side effect of biophosphonate bone-building drugs is that if a tooth is extracted, the extraction cavity might not heal, and the jaw bone may die (osteonecrosis), leading to infection and exposed bone. Even with extensive dental surgery, the condition may be painful for the rest of one's life. [3] The only action taken was that these drugs currently carry a black box warning which says that they may cause osteonecrosis of the jaw. Natural treatments for osteopenia and osteoporosis include participating in a weight-bearing exercise such as walking and making sure blood vitamin D levels are high enough, namely, at least 50 to 70 ng/ml, not the low amount considered normal on most lab tests. Individuals also should take a complete supplement designed for these conditions such as a supplement which contains calcium, magnesium, critical bone-building trace minerals such as chromium, boron, manganese, and silica, and vitamins A, D, B6, B12 and folic acid. For more information on nutrition for your bones, see the PDF 20 Key Nutrients For Bone Health (http://www.betterbones.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/20keybonenutrients.pdf ). Click here for a hypoallergenic bone supplement that contains a broad spectrum of needed nutrients. Footnotes
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