Bone health is a growing problem in today’s society poisonous. Some are diagnosed with osteoporosis. Some with osteopenia, which translates as “pre” osteoporosis. The vast majority of patients with this diagnosis have a prescription for Fosomax or Boniva or Actonel given.
Use of drugs for treatment of osteopenia are not fully utilized in accordance with the guidelines for the treatment of low bone mass. Someone with osteopenia is still at a very low risk of fracture, but it is clear that a path too much bone loss. If anyone knows a very low risk of fracture, if we treat this person, they are likely to exceed that this class of drugs for a period. Recent studies suggest that now would be associated with an increased risk of fractures in other bones in the pelvis and spine after 3-5 years because this class of drugs that interfere with normal bone remodeling patients.
For most of our history we have bones used as an inert tissue, seen as supporting the body with the attached muscles for movement and act as a source of calcium, blood in the sink when. This view has changed dramatically in recent years.
We now understand that bone strength, which is involved in regulation of body composition, and actually a hormone that protects against diabetes produces. When the bone is healthy and buildings to the cells that build bone, osteoblasts, the hormone osteocalcin production. Absolutely great information, changing the way we see the bones.
To further complicate the picture, gastrointestinal health, interaction with the bone. If emphasizing good (mental stress, poor diet, acid reflux or heartburn medication for treatment, etc..) Production enterochromaffin cells lining the intestine, the more serotonin. Yes – serotonin, the “feel good” hormone that we think if we are depression, Paxil and Zoloft and Prosac think. Many do not realize is that about 2 / 3 of the body of serotonin in force from the gut.
The more stress on the gut produces more serotonin. Serotonin affects the activity of osteoblasts in bone, gradually slow down their activity and bone formation.
A couple of things I’ve realized in my years of practicing functional medicine:
1) In most cases, drugs are the only approach. Most patients are mistakenly think bones that this class of drugs (bisphosphanates) to actually build. They do not. Everything they do is slow down the degradation of bone by sticking to the osteoclasts (the cells that break bone). To really have an impact on bone health, an integrated approach that slows bone loss and increases bone formation is required. Everything else falls short.
2) Calcium is recommended, despite lack of conclusive evidence of benefit. Recent studies have confirmed that calcium supplementation does not affect bone density, whose diet is rich in lime
3) weight-bearing exercise is important to send the signal to build bone
4) Vitamin D is rarely advisable, and if it is, the level is too low, have an influence. Grants should normally be started at 2000 IU / day and go from there, if bone health is an issue. The blood should be between 60 and 100 ng / ml maintained
5) The ignition is clearly a strong player in the breakdown of bone. When inflammation is present, produces more bone osteoclasts, which cause an increase in bone resorption.