National Osteoporosis Foundation is where it is happening at.

http://news.consumerreports.org/health/2...caTw3SY.twitter

FDA approves generic osteoporosis drug Boniva, but our concerns remain

http://www.consumerreports.org/cro/2012/...cerns/index.htm
If you've taken a bisphosphonate for five years or more, ask your doctor about stopping temporarily to
encourage normal bone remodeling and to reduce the risk of side effects.


http://www.drug-injury.com/
1,165 Fosamax - Femur Fracture Lawsuits Pending As Of December 2011 According To Merck Report


OK. Going to send you right off to the Osteoporosis Foundation. Will post you up the links. Very knowledgeable persons on the boards there - in particular a lass named Lara and another who goes under the NDP: lilypads. You'll have all the info on the supplements, vitamins and etc. Very good discussions to follow through on - and of course participate in. They do know their stuff. There is also one book you need to order up : 'Your Bones' by Lara Pizzorno & Dr Jonathan V Wright

PART 2: "YOUR BONES" by LARA PIZZORNO and DR. JONATHAN V. WRIGHT
Lara & Lilypads :
http://www.inspire.com/groups/national-o...p;asat=32271991

ALL to do with Strontium Citrate - all the links to information :
http://www.inspire.com/groups/national-o...p;asat=32271991

Useful discussion :
http://www.inspire.com/groups/national-o...p;asat=32271991

All 'new' activity on osteo :
http://www.inspire.com/groups/national-osteoporosis-foundation/new/active/?ref=as&asat=32271991

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I have a few notes: Swansons / NOW Foods - CAPS

NOW Foods Cal-Mag Caps 120 Caps - Swanson Health Products
www.swansonvitamins.com/NWF803/ItemDetail
Calcium and magnesium have become synonymous with bone health. And as two of the most important nutrients we can feed our body, NOW ...

http://www.swansonvitamins.com/Calcium-and-Bone-Health/_/n-22d

You need D3 - as cholecalciferol - at 5000 units minimum per diem as a loading dose for one month, then down to 3000 per diem
BUT *first get D3 levels checked. Need c.60 - 80 ng/mL - most people are deficit. Once at 80ng/mL then keep at a maintenance dose of say 2000 per diem
See NOW Foods, below...note that they have D3 but only at 400IU, useless. Won't do owt for anyone at that limited dose! Take additional D3


Calcium Citrate - or see below NOW Foods... (C. carbonate is not readily bioavailable - so forget it. This is the stuff being pushed right here in the local pharmacy...waste of money)

Strontium Citrate - 340mg x2 per diem (this is the *major bone builder)

Vit-K2 - or Vit-K2-MK4 (NOT MK7) IF on blood thinners then best to check with doctor re Vit-K2. (straight Vit-K is pretty useless!) but do need Vit-K2. See the discussion and input from Lara on the INSPIRE site, Osteoporosis Foundation refers. She knows her stuff.

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Below is from lilypads - pretty good. BUT compare with Lara's input - see below :-

http://www.nowfoods.com/Supplements/Products-by-Category/Minerals/Full-Spectrum-Minerals/M004241.htm
Item#: 1545

Manufacturer SKU: 733739015457NOW® Full

Spectrum Mineral caps is a comprehensive combination of the most important dietary minerals used by your body. This formula contains recommended potencies of essential minerals such as Calcium for strong bones and teeth and Zinc for immune system support. *Plus, Full Spectrum Mineral caps is an iron-free supplement and contains a 1:1 ratio of Calcium to Magnesium.


Serving Size: 4 Capsules
Servings Per Container: 60

Amount Per Serving % Daily Value*
Vitamin D (as Cholecalciferol) 400 IU 100%
Calcium (from Hydroxyapatite) 500 mg 50%
Phosphorus (from Hydroxyapatite) 193 mg 19%
Iodine (from Kelp) 225 mcg 150%
Magnesium (as Magnesium Oxide and Citrate) 500 mg 125%
Zinc (as Amino Acid Chelate) 15 mg 100%
Selenium (as L-Selenomethionine) 100 mcg 143%
Copper (as Amino Acid Chelate) 2 mg 100%
Manganese (as Amino Acid Chelate) 5 mg 250%
Chromium (as Chromium Chelavite®) 200 mcg 166%
Molybdenum (as Amino Acid Chelate) 100 mcg 133%
Potassium (from Potassium Chloride) 99 mg 3%
Boron (as Amino Acid Chelate) 3 mg †
Vanadium (as Amino Acid Chelate) 50 mcg †
* Percent Daily Values are based on 2,000 calorie diet.
† Daily Value not established.
Other Ingredients:
Gelatin (capsule), Rice Flour, Magnesium Stearate.
*Hydroxyapatite is a phosphate complex of calcium that occurs as a mineral and is the chief structural component of bones.
Suggested Use: As a dietary supplement, take 4 capsules daily, preferably with meals.
Free of: sugar, yeast, corn, soy, wheat, gluten, milk, preservatives.
Warnings: None
Chromium Chelavite® is a registered trademark of Albion Labs.

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http://www.inspire.com/groups/national-o...p;asat=32271991

http://www.nice.org.uk/nicemedia/pdf/TA160guidance.pdf - NICE

http://www.fda.gov/NewsEvents/Newsroom/PressAnnouncements/ucm229171.htm - FDA

http://www.fda.gov/drugs/drugsafety/ucm229009.htm - FDA

http://www.webmd.com/osteoporosis/bisphosphonates-for-osteoporosis - WebMD, somes guidelines (but NOT up-to-date!)

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Bis drugs - side effects

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bisphosphonate - Wiki (vaguely useful, but not fully up-to-date)

http://www.raysahelian.com/bisphosphonate.html - sound information (I like this guy, usually knows where it is happening from)

Bisphosphonate Side-Effects
www.news-medical.net/health/Bisphosphonate-Side-Effects.aspx
Oral bisphosphonates can cause upset stomach and inflammation and erosions of the esophagus, which is the main problem of oral ''N''-containing ...

News for bisphosphonates side effects - ABC News

FDA Urges Caution Over Long-Term Use of Bone-Density-Building Drugs
PBS NewsHour
10 hours ago
... treat or prevent osteoporosis, but the FDA this week warned that long-term use of bisphosphonates can lead to rare fractures and side effects. FDA Still Cautious About Bone Drugs
ABC News
New Cautions About Long-Term Use of Bone Drugs

New York Times (blog)


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Bis drugs have a half life of 10 years - which makes them even more dangerous!

NICE advises to not take for more than three years. MUST give a break. The Bis drugs now *known to lead to femoral fractures IF on for too long, i.e. MORE than three years.

ALSO dentists must be advised of patients who are on the Bis drugs, as then, invasive dental work may not be performed owing to an even greater danger of developing osteonecrosis of the jaw (jaw bone death).

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Lubly-jubly innit - but the doctors won't tell you owt of this, except for the really caring and clued up doctors! Search for a needle in a haystack first...

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National Osteoporosis Foundation Support Community
National Osteoporosis Foundation
Excellent information and discussion - and, pile in and ask your own questions...

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http://fitness.mercola.com/sites/fitness...as-you-age.aspx

(snip...)

Exercise Strengthens More than Muscle

Your muscles aren't the only benefactors of a comprehensive exercise program. While many are misled into thinking toxic drugs are the answer to combat decreasing bone density, the truth is that weight-bearing exercise is one of the most effective remedies against osteoporosis—another common problem related to aging.
Without question, osteoporosis drugs are likely to cause more long-term harm than benefit. Studies have actually linked bisphosphonate bone-strengthening drugs like Fosamax, Actonel, Boniva and Reclast to an increased risk of femur fractures. One of the latest and largest studies to date discovered that women who've been on bisphosphonates for more than five years have a nearly three times higher risk of these dangerous fractures…
Your bones are actually very porous and soft, and as you get older, your bones can easily become less dense and hence, more brittle—especially if you are inactive.
Resistance training can combat this effect because as you put more tension on your muscles it puts more pressure on your bones, which then respond by continuously creating fresh, new bone. In addition, muscle is heavier than fat, so as you build more muscle, and make the muscle that you already have stronger, you also put more constant pressure on your bones which automatically helps maintain bone strength.
The Many Health Benefits of Exercise

There's an overwhelming amount of evidence confirming that exercise is a key player in disease reduction, optimal mental, emotional and physical health, and longevity. After reviewing 40 papers published between 2006 and 2010, researchers found that exercise reduces the risk of about two dozen health conditions, ranging from cancer and heart disease to type 2 diabetes, stroke, dementia and depression. Exercise also slows down the rate of aging itself, providing perhaps the closest example of a real life fountain of youth as we will ever find.
Ideally, you will have made exercise a regular part of your life long before you reach your "golden" years … but if you haven't, there's no better time to start than the present. Research has shown that regular exercise, even initiated late in life, offers profound health benefits. For instance:
Even a small amount of exercise may protect the elderly from long-term memory loss and even help reverse some of the effects of aging.
Moderate exercise among those aged 55-75 may cut the risk of developing metabolic syndrome, which increases heart disease and diabetes risk.
Among those who started exercising at age 50 and continued for 10 years, the rate of premature death declined dramatically, similar to giving up smoking and mirroring the level as seen among people who had been working out their entire lives.
Remember, It's NEVER Too Late to Improve Your Health

It should be obvious by now that optimal health is dependent on an active lifestyle; eating fresh, whole foods, avoiding as many processed foods as possible, and addressing the stress in your life. Ignoring any of these basic tenets of health will eventually lead to a decline in health and any number of diseases.
Physical exercise is particularly important to maintain a high quality of life, as limited mobility can take a great toll… So start moving, and don't stop no matter what your age! (more...)

Mercola has two useful videos. Have a look at them.

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Now you can go get real brain ache...!!

You are going to have to dig around a bit in that lot, but hope not too muddley - had to drag out from info I'd sent to a chum.

ah, THAT'S the explanation I was looking for..thanks fer digging that up Molly. Always prob wrongly thought of bones as more like something you couldn't do much about...you could maybe crack 'em, stick some steel rods in there, adjust the muscles around to pull on them different...but now I see that when you put GOOD pressure on them, with the right kinds of exercise...they respond in a good way...like all chemically 'n stuff

So next question....is swimming, being talked about as non-weight bearing/low resistance...does that make it less valuable than other forms of exercise in regards to bone health?

Higher impact exercise will help your bone density more than lesser impact exercise. I'm pretty sure that's been shown, but still, swimming is much better than doing nothing at all. You're still using muscles which will will help improve bone density. High impact things like running are the best (ha, I wish) if you can handle it, but even short daily walks have been shown to improve bone density.

Keep doing those flip turns!!

ha! <--me

My GI had me take a bone density scan because of all the pred I was taking to get my UC under control. It came back borderline ostiopeena. He put me on Miacalcon, a hormone that helps control the loss of calcium. He didn't like his patients taking any of the bisphosphonates because they cause too many GI problems for people with IBD. I have been taking it for about 12 years without any problems. It has slowed down but not stopped the bone loss. Now I am also taking Strontium Citrate every day. It will take some time to see what the results are.

Donna - You will also need the supplements etc. See the list:-

http://www.nowfoods.com/Supplements/Products-by-Category/Minerals/Full-Spectrum-Minerals/M004241.htm
Item#: 1545

Manufacturer SKU: 733739015457NOW® Full

Spectrum Mineral caps is a comprehensive combination of the most important dietary minerals used by your body. This formula contains recommended potencies of essential minerals such as Calcium for strong bones and teeth and Zinc for immune system support.* Plus, Full Spectrum Mineral caps is an iron-free supplement and contains a 1:1 ratio of Calcium to Magnesium.

Must get my own order in. There is another one as well, AcaiCal - that has been well spoken of.

Our poor ole bodies can take a right hammering from the meds and so need a lot of help to getem on the right track.

http://www.inspire.com/groups/national-o...ge=last#replies

Here is some good discussion on infusing fruit/vegetables in pitcher of water - there is a special filter one can purchase for the job (but could use a tea pot or whatever). The point being that this is good for our bones and secondly, good way to keep hydrated! After infusing the poster makes the fruits/vegetables into a smoothie.

I have a second water filter which I shall now put to good use. Yea!

http://products.mercola.com/multivitamin-vital-minerals/?e_cid=20120514_DNL_HRL_1&source=nl

This looks to be a good multivitamin. And the article seems well based - sound.