Osteopenia FAQ

Osteopenia FAQ has answers to questions Subscribers to the Osteopenia3 newsletter are able to ask questions. This page has been created from those queries

Osteopenia FAQ

1. What ever happened to Strontium? S. D. from USA.
   Strontium in its natural form is available to those in the United States. Those in the EU can either use natural Strontium or get a prescription for the synthetic form created by Servier and marketed under the name, Protelos.

   To read the research concerning natural strontium or to purchase some, go to Natural Strontium for Osteopenia or Osteoporosis

   To read about the synethetic, go to Protelos for Osteopenia or Osteoporosis
   

2. “Do the natural strontium tablets work as well in increasing bone density as the new Protelos (strontium ranelate)? Also, is Protelos available to order online and which site? Thanks....” L. K. from USA.

   I have found no studies comparing natural and synthetic strontium. And I assume that there will be none since no drug company would risk proving that their synthetic form is no more effective than the natural mineral. What you can do is look at the research on each form (research is found on the web pages noted in answer to question #1 . Since the FDA has not approved Protelos as a drug to be sold in the USA, there are no USA sites that offer it. You might find it on an European web site – but then you would need a prescription.

Osteopenia FAQ continued:

3. Why is a prescription drug such as Fosamax generally prescribed for osteoporosis but not for osteopenia? A. P. from USA.Fosamax has been approved for the prevention as well as the treatment of Osteoporosis and so it can be prescribed for the treatment of Osteopenia [treating Osteopenia is a way to prevent Osteoporosis]. To read more about Fosamax, go to Fosamax (alendronate )
4. I would like info re dried plums & bones. A. H.from Canada.

   Thanks for asking. I had not put the url in the Index or the Natural treatments page so I shall do that this week. Meantime here is the page that gives information about Dried plums for Osteopenia

5. I have been intrigued by the information about 'whole body vibration' therapy. Soloflex recently introduced a home unit . . ., which I purchased. I would be interested to hear of any research you have done on vibration therapy for bone density improvement. Thanks for all your work in this field. B. D. from USA.

   Thanks so much for this question. I had not known of these machines but did some research for you. An answer to yourquestion would take too much space here so I created a new page on this topic. Go to: whole body vibration and Osteoporosis or Osteopenia to read it.

Material will be added to this Osteopenia FAQ page in the future so do stop back again for more questions and answers.

1. I was told I have osteopenia and when I went to talk to the Dr. he told me I was not the typical type of person to have it. I am stocky built and am fairly active. He told me to just double up on calcium and have bone density test done in 2 years again. I had a hysterectomy 5 years ago and I also smoke. He told me that estrogen would not do my any good at this stage. I really do not want to take any of the other drugs because of the side effects. My question is do I find another Dr. for a second opion? I am very upset about this because I do not want my bones to get any worse. C. P. from USA.

   I am not a physician, I can not give you any medical advice. But it sounds like you have considered getting a second opinon.

   I have found that following my intution usually works out - especially when I am thinking that I need more information.The only thing you can lose in getting a second opinion is some money. You need to ask, "Is it worth the cost?".

   For your own information you might was to look at Causes of Osteopenia: an overview to see if you have any other risk factors and if these are things that you can change.

2. Hi, Kate! I've always been a good hula-hooper and recently learned about the weighted hoops. I've bought one hoping that this will help me build some bone in the pelvic region, where I'm weakest. I do upper body weight work and that reading was pretty good on my bone density test. Do you think this is an effective exercise for the bones of the lower body. (I bought a 5 lb. hoop, about the heaviest they make for my weight range.) Thanks! S. G. from USA.

   Well, I admire your ability to use a hula hoop. I never learned how!

   I have spent some time looking for scientific studies about heavy hula hoop usage but most of the articles are about "hula hoop syndrome' which is about back problem(s). I did find one reference to an article in Consumer Reports but since I do not subscribe, I could not read it. Here is the reference though. You might find a copy in your local library. If you find out anything, do let me know and I will update this entry."Heavy hula hoop for your health?" [no authors listed] Consum Rep. 2005 May;70(5):43.

3. I have heard that your body can only absorb so much calcium at one time so I try to space out my consumption of milk, yogurt, calcium supplements etc. How much calcium can be absorbed at once and how long should you wait before taking more for maximum absorption? G. W. from USA.

   You have raised some important questions:
   How much calcium can be absorbed at once? The answer is ...'It depends..." I know, that is probably a frustrating answer to read but there are many factors that influence absorption. I suggest that you read the whole page at: Calcium since it includes a number of paragraphs about absorption from both food and supplements. Research shows that best case scenario is that we absorb about 1/3 the calcium in a supplement of Calcium Carbonate. And that without Vitamin D little calcium will be used and that you need Vitamin K , Magnesium and other trace minerals for yourcalcium to 'work'. Some calcium supplement now include these in the capsule.

   Yes, it is best to divide dosages of any calcium supplements. As for how long to wait between supplements, I have read 4 hours. but I do not have the source in front of me right now.

   Suggestions. If you are taking natural strontium or its synthetic form, Protelos , do not take it at the sametime as calcium. They interfere with each other's absorption.

   Because PTH is active while we sleep (bone resporption) it is good to take either your daily strontium capsule OR your calcium supplement just before bed. Strontium should be taken without food. Calcium with food. (see the list on the Calcium link above for foods to avoid when taking calcium supplements). A study published in 2005 showed that taking calcium before sleep appeared to be more effective than at meals...but that calcium dosages SHOULD be divided and not taken all at once.

   I hope that information helps.

4. My question concerns yoga and osteopena of the spine. Where, apart from your article, can I get good information on this as I enjoy yoga and would like to use it despite having osteopena of the spine. I tried checking the web for info and it seems very little is available. Thank you. A. G. from Ireland

   I keep checking the medical and scientific literature for studies about yoga and Osteopenia but find NOTHING.This concerns me since yoga is an important and popular health practice. What I would do would be 2 things:

   First, I would bring some pictures of the sorts of yoga poses I want to do to my health care provider. I would tellher that I have concerns about yoga since I know that at some levels of bone loss, there can be crush fractures or stress fractures when stretching or bending. I would ask my health care provider to review my dexa scan and get advice what which poses could be problematical.

   Second, I would look for a VERY experienced yoga teacher. I would state my health condition and would probably bringthe recommendations from my health care provider. Then I would say, you have much experience in yoga. I trust that youwould not want to see me experience a spontaneous crush fracture etc. What advice would you offer. And then, in the end,I would tend to take the most conservative path - until such time as my other actions to reverse bone loss were successfuland my bone loss was reversed as shown by my dexa scan.

   Yoga is an excellent way to reduce stress and since stress is a potential cause of bone loss, yoga can be helpful. There are alsosome yoga poses that really help improve balance. BUT there I would do all the things listed above because I wouldwant to prevent spontaneous fractures as a result of my yoga practice..

   If you find any studies that address the issue of yoga for those who already have Osteopenia or Osteoporosis, know that I wouldreally appreciate your sharing the information.

That is it for now. Newsletter readers can ask questions from the special password protected page.

Kate