Alternative to Bisphosphonates for Osteoporosis and Osteopenia

MargoChanning · August 2016

I was diagnosed with Osteoporosis in October, 2012, just after completing bc treatment and having been off estrogen since February that year when I was diagnosed. I saw a specialist who said my rate of bone loss was slow but advised starting on something to stop the loss, so I tried Boniva and after a single dose experienced 4 months of spinal, head and tooth pain. I didn't take any more Boniva and looked around for alternatives and came across an article by two Canadian doctors who were able to replicate the same results as bisphosphonates using a combination of over the counter supplements including Strontium Citrate and vitamin k2. I started the supplements in the Summer of 2013 and had a bone density scan done at UCLA in March this year (I'm participating in the SWAN study at UCLA, have been for almost 20 years and get a bone scan done periodically as part of the research program). I was stunned to see that the Osteoporosis in my L1-L4 area had completely reversed and the hip Osteopenia had improved as well. My MO, internist and surgeon were all impressed with the results and said to continue with their blessings (they are all affiliated with Cedars-Sinai). Here's the link to the article, I think it's worth a read for those folks who have bone loss but are concerned about SE's from the typical bone drugs: http://www.hindawi.com/journals/jeph/2012/354151/

My best to all; I wish I could find non-toxic remedies for my other AI problems, including arthritis and newly diagnosed Episcleritis in both eyes

Jelson · August 2016

thank you very much for sharing your experience and this article. I was recently diagnosed with osteopenia - an unpleasant surprise after 4.5 years on tamoxifen which is supposed to protect bone density, a lot of Vitamin D, exercise and dairy products. I am looking for non-pharmaceutical ways to slow or reverse my bone loss and am eager to try duplicating this combination of vitamin/mineral supplements. You mention taking the strontium citrate and the vitamin k - did you take all the supplements in the quantities listed in the study article? I am not familiar with DHA.

Jelson

ShetlandPony · August 2016

Thanks for this, Margo. I am going to show it to my onc. I am on an aromatase inhibitor and am probably at risk for bone density problems. But I have not done a DEXA scan in a few years because I would not want to take the standard bone drugs anyway. I suspect my onc hasn't requested a scan because she is not keen on the drugs herself. She knows I exercise and eat a very good diet. She has me on vitamin D3, and recommended against calcium supplements based on evidence that it may cause more heart problems without preventing fractures.

MargoChanning · August 2016

Jelson, I took all the recommended supplements in the amounts listed except for Magnesium, which I did not take at all for the first 18 months or so and that is because I have had IBS with daily diarrhea for 20 years. I eventually started the Magnesium in smaller amounts, using a pill splitter to break it up into quarters. That seemed to work and over another year I gradually increased to a whole tablet. I still have IBS so I have to watch my diet (no fats, red meats, cruciferous veggies) and resumed a daily protein smoothie with oat bran and flaxseed meal that is helping with that. Also, I couldn't find the strontium or vitamin k at my local Target or Costco so I get those through Amazon. I get the "Doctors Best" brand of strontium and "Nutrigold" brand of k2. Good luck to you and my best wishes. I will continue to post here if I run into any adverse effects from this protocol. So far, so good.

MargoChanning · August 2016

Jelson, sorry, brain fog - forgot to mention that DHA is found in fish oil capsules, just check the labels for the amount needed. I take 1 softgel, purchased in the mega size from Costco.

Pessa · August 2016

Tnhanks much for this information. I am reluctant to ever consider bisphosphonates due to significant dental and oral bone problems, so this information is quite helpful.

Jelson · August 2016

Margo- thanks for the further info re: DHA and potential sources/brands. You have motivated me to tackle this problem beyond buying an exercise tracker!!

ChiSandy · August 2016

Whole Foods, Vitamin Shoppe and GNC all stock K2. Whole Foods’ is the least expensive. Not sure about strontium--had read in other threads that it might be contraindicated for ER+ patients. Will ask my MO and primary.

MargoChanning · August 2016

ChiSandy: thanks for the K2 shopping tips. I hadn't read anything about Strontium Citrate and ER+ or anything BC related, for that matter. Please post what your docs tell you. Strontium Ranelate is prescribed in Europe and has had some association with cardiovascular disease. No such problems found - yet - with Strontium Citrate, the type recommended by the Canadian docs. It would be great if somebody could come up with antidotes to these problems with zero side effects or problems.

jpBCfree · November 2016

hi.

Thanks again MargoChanning for posting the protocol below. I shared with my bone doc and he was okay with it.

i'm already taking DHA (NOT fish oil b/c metals but the algae based) and D3 and dietary calcium and exercise so will add K2, strotinum and magnesium to stave off more bone loss. BTW, there are some good online bone health exercise programs that i've found helpful to supplement walking. My obgyn says to do 20-30 jumping jacks on hard surface (barefoot) a few times a day too!

Question: is there a brand of Strontium you like?

thanks,

jp


COMB protocol for bone health

(1) Docosahexanoic acid or DHA (from Purified Fish Oil OR ALGAE BASED): 250 mg/day
(2) Vitamin D₃: 2000 IU/day
(3) Vitamin K₂ (non-synthetic MK₇ form): 100 ug/day
(4) Strontium citrate: 680 mg/day
(5) Elemental magnesium: 25 mg/day
(6) Dietary sources of calcium recommended
(7) Daily impact exercising encouraged

MargoChanning · November 2016

hi JPbcfree, you are welcome. I've been using Doctor's Best Strontium Citrate that I found on Amazon, however they recently discontinued manufacturing it. I emailed their website asking about it, and they replied back saying that although they were producing the citrate version of Strontium, they were concerned about the research showing cardiovascular problems from the ranelate version used in Europe and made the decision as a company to discontinue out of an abundance of caution. I purchased the Life Extension brand since I was running out, but I'm disappointed since the Doctor's Best brand had a solid reputation for quality. I have heard of Life Extension previously but mostly in relation to what is referred to as the 'woo' community, Suzanne Somers and science rejectionists like her. I will look around to see if Whole Foods or Amazon carries other reputable brands.

Regarding the jumping jacks, etc.; I bought a rebounder a couple years ago and also a weighted vest but didn't use either very much. I've had recurring problems with dizziness from the aromatase inhibitors (both Anastrazole and Letrozole) so bouncing was out a lot of the time and the weighted vest turned out to be a heat producing item since it insulated my trunk. I live in Los Angeles and it's warm most of the time so between the climate and my hot flashes, that didn't work out too well. I've read various articles about jumping on a hard surface and there doesn't seem to be a lot of evidence that it produces bone. I was a long distance runner for 20 years and I would have thought that would have built up my bones but the people at UCLA where I got my bone scans said that the running probably reduced my estrogen particularly when I trained for marathons and was doing upwards of 60 miles a week, and that would have slowed down bone growth. One of my running idols, the late Grete Waitz, who won the New York Marathon 9 times, had to retire in her 30's after developing Osteoporosis due to low estrogen from high mileage running. Interestingly, elite men runners also are at risk, since high mileage running lowers the predominant sex hormone for both sexes. It has to do with low body fat. Anyway, my years of running probably helped my heart and maybe even prevented breast cancer coming on earlier since I was probably low estrogen in those marathon years, and my periods did slow down to 6-8 week cycles, but it sure didn't help my bones.

Best to you and all.