Bone DEATH

A recently released study in the Journal of Rheumatology shows that individuals with severe bone necrosis were three times more likely to have been treated with oral bisphosphonates. Bisphosphonates include the drugs Boniva, Fosamax and Actonel, which are used to treat osteoporosis by slowing bone turnover, which is supposed to increase bone density. Naturopathic physicians, however, have been arguing for years that the bone tissue these drugs create is not healthy.

Bone necrosis essentially means bone death. From a naturopathic perspective, if you slow down metabolism of bone enough, it makes sense that the tissue may die. Most individuals are unaware that bone is an active tissue, filled with cells that are constantly breaking bone tissue down and building it up again. Cells called osteoclasts are responsible for breaking down old bone tissue, and cells called osteoblasts are the ones that build new, fresh tissue. Stimuli like resistance training and Vitamin D activate osteoblasts to build up bones, while drinking soda or smoking promotes bone breakdown.

Naturopaths work with patients to eliminate causes of excess bone breakdown, while simultaneously promoting bone-building supplementation, foods, and exercise. We’ve seen bone scans improve many times with these simple changes, and we would never advocate taking a drug like Boniva or Fosamax to prevent osteoporosis.

ALETRIS Center of Integrative Medicine is a Scottsdale, AZ wellness center serving Scottsdale, Paradise Valley, Phoenix, Glendale, Arrowhead, Peoria, Sun City, Chandler, Tempe, Ahwatukee, and Mesa, AZ with specialties in naturopathic medicine, natural hormone therapy, women's health, acupuncture, colon hydrotherapy, natural skincare and sugar hair removal.

The contents of this blog, including text, graphics, images and other material, are for informational and educational purposes only and are not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Please seek the counsel of an ALETRIS physician or other qualified health provider with any questions regarding a medical condition or treatment.

Calcium Breaks Hearts

For many years, naturopathic physicians have been explaining to women that osteoporosis is not a condition caused by low calcium intake. In fact, countries that consume high amounts of calcium from dairy (The US, New Zealand, and Australia) have the highest rates of osteoporosis in the world.

A recent study suggests that calcium supplements may increase the risk of heart attack in older women. Researchers at the University of Auckland investigated the risk of heart attack, sudden death, and stroke in 1,471 postmenopausal women aged 55 years or older for a five year period and found an increased risk in those taking calcium versus those taking a placebo.

There are many different mechanisms by which calcium may damage the cardiovascular system. We know that calcium is used to “patch” wounds along blood vessels and that calcified arteries are the hallmark of atherosclerosis. Excess calcium also prevents the absorption of magnesium, an essential nutrient for cardiac muscle function.

Although there are supplements to support bone strength and help prevent osteoporosis in combination with adequate exercise and nutrition, we do not prescribe calcium supplementation to ALETRIS patients.

The contents of this blog, including text, graphics, images and other material, are for informational and educational purposes only and are not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Please seek the counsel of an ALETRIS physician or other qualified health provider with any questions regarding a medical condition or treatment.