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Osteopenia3 - Interesting studies
April 02, 2013
Hello,

April already. I want to give a warm welcome to all new subscribers AND to those who have been reading the newsletter for awhile.

Remember - if you ever feel you are getting too much email to read the newsletter, PLEASE go to the end of a monthly newsletter and click n UNSUBSCRIBE. I pay to send these out - which I do NOT mind doing (It is a service) but I do not wan to be paying for letters not read. Thanks.

Now this month I offer you research information. First there are 3 abstracts about non-pharmeceutical treatments. All involve herbs. Second there are 3 studies about pharmaceutical treatments of Osteopenia and Osteoporosis.

Herbal studies

The first research study with Green Tea applies to both men and women. The second study with CAE was done with OVX rats aND so would apply to postmenopausal women. (We do not know from this study if it would be useful for men.) The third herb study was done on men. So there should be something of interest to everyone. .

Green tea. There have been so many studies about green tea and its use for many conditions. Now here is one about its use in preventing bone loss. .

The study states: "Epidemiological evidence has shown an association between tea consumption and the prevention of age-related bone loss in elderly women and men. Ingestion of green tea and green tea bioactive compounds may be beneficial in mitigating bone loss of this population and decreasing their risk of osteoporotic fractures. . . . In general, tea and its bioactive components might decrease the risk of fracture by improving bone mineral density (BMD) and supporting osteoblastic activities while suppressing osteoclastic activities." NOTE; Green tea is now avialible in most grocery stores. It is worth paying a few cents extra for ORGANIC GREEN TEA since tea is one of the most pesticide contaminated products on the market.

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Our next study is an animal study on rats with their ovaries removed - the usually subjects of studies to see if something might be of use to postmenopausal women. . CAE Treatment with CAE (Cortex acanthopanacis Aqueous Extract), which is a herbal mixture of Rehmanniae Radix Preparata and an extract of Acanthopanacis Cortex. increased bone mass remarkably and showed a significant inhibitory effect on bone resorption by downregulating significantly the expression of RANKL in tibia of OVX rats. (Note: I do not have a supplier I can recommend for this herb.)

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Eurycoma longifolia jack. Osteoporosis in elderly men is now becoming an alarming health issue due to its relation with a higher mortality rate compared to osteoporosis in women. Androgen deficiency (hypogonadism) is one of the major factors of male osteoporosis and it can be treated with testosterone replacement therapy (TRT). However, one medicinal plant, Eurycoma longifolia Jack (EL), can be used as an alternative treatment to prevent and treat male osteoporosis without causing the side effects associated with TRT. EL exerts proandrogenic effects that enhance testosterone level, as well as stimulate osteoblast proliferation and osteoclast apoptosis. This will maintain bone remodelling activity and reduce bone loss. Phytochemical components of EL may also prevent osteoporosis via its antioxidative property. z Hence, EL has the potential as a complementary treatment for male osteoporosis.

This herb is available from Chinese Herbs Direct on the Products page of the web site.

Link: https://www.osteopenia3.com/Osteopenia-products.html

Studies of pharmeceutial drugs

The first study is an update about strontium Ranelate (available by presecription in the EU.)

. Strontium Ranelate published in Osteoporosis International Journal. .

In an open-label extension study, BMD increased continuously with strontium ranelate over 10 years in osteoporotic women (P < 0.01). Vertebral and nonvertebral fracture incidence was lower between 5 and 10 years than in a matched placebo group over 5 years (P < 0.05). Strontium ranelate's antifracture efficacy appears to be maintained long term.

. The next study involved administering Risendronate only twice a a month as compared with daily dosage. The study showed little difference in results. Title: Novel use of Risedronate Published in Clcif. Tissue Int, Jan 2013 .

This 2-year trial evaluated the efficacy and tolerability of a monthly oral regimen of risedronate. Postmenopausal women with osteoporosis were randomly assigned to double-blind treatment with risedronate 75 mg on 2 consecutive days each month (2CDM) or 5 mg daily. The primary end point was the percentage change from baseline in lumbar spine bone mineral density (BMD) at 12 months. Secondary end points included the change in BMD of the lumbar spine and proximal femur and in bone turnover markers as well as the number of subjects with at least one new vertebral fracture over 24 months. Among 1,229 patients who were randomized and received at least one dose of risedronate, lumbar spine BMD was increased in both treatment groups: mean percentage change from baseline was 4.2 ± 0.19 and 4.3 ± 0.19 % in the 75 mg 2CDM and 5 mg daily groups, respectively, at month 24. The treatment difference was 0.17 (95 % confidence interval -0.35 to 0.68).

There were NO STATISTICALLY SIGNIFICANT DIFFERENCES between treatment groups on any secondary efficacy parameters. Both treatment regimens were well tolerated. Risedronate 75 mg 2CDM was noninferior in BMD efficacy and did not show a difference in tolerability compared to 5 mg daily after 24 months of treatment in women with postmenopausal osteoporosis. This monthly regime

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3. Lasofoxifene for the prevention and treatment of postmenopausal osteoporosis by E Michael Lewiecki

Lasofoxifene is a selective estrogen receptor modulator (estrogen agonist/antagonist) that has completed phase III trials to evaluate safety and efficacy for the prevention and treatment of osteoporosis and for the treatment of vaginal atrophy in postmenopausal women. In postmenopausal women with low or normal bone mineral density (BMD), lasofoxifene increased BMD at the lumbar spine and hip and reduced bone turnover markers compared with placebo. In women with postmenopausal osteoporosis, lasofoxifene increased BMD, reduced bone turnover markers, reduced the risk of vertebral and nonvertebral fractures, and decreased the risk of estrogen receptor-positive breast cancer. In postmenopausal women with low bone mass, lasofoxifene improved the signs and symptoms of vulvovaginal atrophy.

Clinical trials show that lasofoxifene is generally well tolerated with mild to moderate adverse events that commonly resolve even with drug continuation. Lasofoxifene has been associated with an increase in the incidence of venous thromboembolic events, hot flushes, muscle spasm, and vaginal bleeding. It is approved for the treatment of postmenopausal women at increased risk for fracture in some countries and is in the regulatory review process in others.

SUGGESTIONS

One of the things I find helpful is to go back to the Osteopenia3.com web site and browse around, even reread some of the Natural treatments. Why?

. As the years pass I find that something I once thought was NOT FOR ME AT ALL now seems worth trying. For example, most of the ads for resveratrol talk about its longevity benefits. But it also has some positive effects on bone density. Have you looked at the studies? Same with green tea (as the study above shows) and with foods, it is so easy to build a few into our ordinary meals or between meal snacks. .. And finally, remember that drinking enough water....pure water...PREVENTS bone loss. Recently I was surprised to get the results of a medical test that said, in part, that my vertebrae showed the effects of dehydration! I was surprised.

But when I researched it, I realized that I had taken up some eating habits that act as diuretics. Since dehydration can lead to thin bones, I am now drinking more water - plain water and eating more celery. .

Finally - Much joy to you as we wend into April and May.

Kate

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