About that bone scan and the meds that follow…

Wednesday, August 15, 2012 by: Craig Stellpflug
Tags: bone scans, medication, bone density

(NaturalNews) Bone scans can be useful to find out bone density status, but most MD's use bone scans to sell more bone scans and bone meds. Oh sure, they can tell you that your bones are thin with their technology, but what happens after the diagnosis is a real problem: prescriptions, procedures, worsening bone brittleness and more cancer. If we just assume that we need to be concerned about bone health and treat our bones naturally, there would be no need for bone scans.

The scoop on bone meds

Long-term use of bone meds like Actonel, Boniva, Fosamax and Reclast have been linked to femur fractures. One study found bones on these meds turning brittle at four years. Two studies found an increased risk of fracture at five years on these meds in healthy, active women. These bad drugs are linked to esophageal cancer, necrosis of the jaw, heartburn, abdominal pain, fever, bone and muscle pain, low energy and low levels of calcium in the blood.

The treatment with the drug Infuse for bone growth, causes the overall cancer risk (including pancreatic) to shoot up by more than 250 percent in one year and 500 percent by three years. Infuse also gives about 50 percent of patients the "side effects" of infection, male sterility, pain, bone loss, and unwanted bone growth.

Five things that are critical to bone health

• Exercise: Bones are living, flexing tissues that grow stronger with exercise. Exercise is critical for bone health and rebuilding, and is very important for treating and preventing osteoporosis. People who exercise regularly generally have maximum bone density and strength compared to non-exercisers.

• Vitamin D is essential for bone health and without it, you cannot use your available calcium. A person deficient in vitamin D absorbs very little calcium, even if the dietary intake of calcium is high. Sun exposure is the best way to get Vitamin D, as the body automatically regulates how much vitamin D it makes from sunlight.

• Zinc helps bone growth and inhibits bone loss. Zinc has been shown to increase osteoblast activity (which is how the body manufactures bone), while inhibiting the osteoclast process (which breaks down bones). There is a significant correlation between the amount of zinc in bones and bone strength and quality.

• Magnesium is in every cell and regulates the calcium channels of the cell to allow the proper amounts of calcium in and out. Magnesium cannot work alone though and partners with vitamins B6, D and K to regulate the absorption of calcium into bone.

• Vitamin K is last up, but not least important. Some of the latest science shows that high dietary intakes of vitamin K are associated with higher bone mineral density and higher density test scores.

So where's the calcium supplement in this?

Too much calcium is just as bad as too little! Calcium overload problems include stroke, pain, fatigue, cancer and -- brittle bones. The benefits of calcium max out at 750 mg a day. People with diets low in calcium actually have higher absorption of calcium than those on high-calcium diets or supplements. The Institute of Medicine recommended daily allowance for calcium from a combination of diet plus supplements was set at 1000 mg a day for women until age 50 years and 1200 mg a day for women over 50 years old. Many women get around 700 mg a day from dietary sources alone and require no more than an additional 500-600 mg a day from calcium supplements.

We need bone quality, not bone density.

Bottom line, it is your health and your bones and a little common sense goes a long way. If you are concerned about your bone health, avoid the pharmaceutical solutions and do the natural thing. Treat your bones to what they really need: exercise, sunshine, magnesium, zinc and vitamin K.

Sources:

http://www.bjjprocs.boneandjoint.org.uk
http://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMp1202619
http://www.niams.nih.gov

About the author:
Craig Stellpflug is a Cancer Nutrition Specialist, Lifestyle Coach and Neuro Development Consultant at Healing Pathways Medical Clinic, Scottsdale, AZ. http://www.healingpathwayscancerclinic.com/ With 17 years of clinical experience working with both brain disorders and cancer, Craig has seen first-hand the devastating effects of vaccines and pharmaceuticals on the human body and has come to the conclusion that a natural lifestyle and natural remedies are the true answers to health and vibrant living. You can find his daily health blog at www.blog.realhealthtalk.com and his articles and radio show archives at www.realhealthtalk.com