“Marketing a disease is the best way to market a drug,” notes the well-known breast cancer expert, Dr. Susan Love. When it comes to Osteopenia and Osteoporosis, this statement rings especially true.
If you’ve been diagnosed with Osteopenia, chances are your doctor prescribed Actonel, Boniva, or Fosamax. Surprisingly, these are the exact same drugs used to “cure” Osteoporosis. You might rightly ask how come there is no distinction with the medicine and dosage prescribed for Osteopenia and for Osteoporosis. So let’s explore this “modern medicine” mystery together to finally uncover the truth.
It is important to remember that the diagnostic criteria for Osteopenia (along with Osteoporosis) was imposed in the early 90’s by the World Health Organization and quickly adopted by doctors. Using the T-Score as the ultimate ‘guiding light’, anybody with a standard deviation of -1 up to -2.50 is deemed to have Osteopenia and is hastily prescribed a drug.
Here’s how The Merck Manual, (the best-selling medical encyclopedia) defines Osteopenia: “In millions of women and men over 50, bone density (mass) is low but not low enough to be considered Osteoporosis. These people have Osteopenia (which means deficient bone). They are at risk of developing Osteoporosis as they grow older.” (The Merck Manual of Health and Aging, Section 3, Chapter 22).
By the way, Merck & Co. is the maker of the number one best-selling bone treatment drug Fosamax. Very conveniently (for Merck and other bone drug makers), patients “diagnosed” with Osteopenia are given the same treatment as those who have the full-fledged Osteoporosis verdict. This translates into billions of dollars in sales…and yet, there are no signs of an actual “disease”; only a potential for this condition to develop into Osteoporosis.
I am surprised that well-meaning health practitioners apply this concept because it simply makes no sense. Luckily, a few prominent doctors are aware of this and are trying to spread the truth.
For example, bone health expert Steve Cummings, MD, a professor at the San Francisco School of Medicine (University of California), says that there was neither real medical basis for developing a unique term such as “Osteopenia” nor to choosing the arbitrary T-score number for its diagnosis. He comments that “Osteopenia is not a disease, does not indicate a high risk of fracture in the next five to ten years, and is really almost a variant of normal. What I tell women in their 50s is that having Osteopenia means their bones are different than those of a 25-year-old and I note that there are probably many things about them that differ from when they were 25”. This is truly a breath of fresh air and gives me hope for the future!
I’d like to go one step further and present you with an analogy. For example, a slightly overweight person has a greater chance of developing diabetes than if he or she is at the ideal weight. So there is a newly defined condition you might have heard of called pre-diabetes, which is determined by a couple of blood glucose tests.
But here’s the difference between Osteopenia and pre-diabetes: there is no prescription drug treatment for a pre-diabetic. Instead, the American Diabetes Association writes as follows (http://www.diabetes.org/pre-diabetes/faq.jsp):
“Treatment consists of losing a modest amount of weight (5-10 percent of total body weight) through diet and moderate exercise, such as walking, 30 minutes a day, 5 days a week. Don’t worry if you can’t get to your ideal body weight. A loss of just 10 to 15 pounds can make a huge difference.”
You see, mainstream medicine could not come up with a newly invented disease in this case (such as diabetenia) because it would be life-threatening to excessively lower a patient’s blood sugar with diabetes drugs. Otherwise – trust me on this – all pre-diabetics would be prescribed diabetes medicines.
Clearly, doctors should educate their patients on how to PREVENT osteoporosis instead of prescribing potentially toxic osteoporosis drugs. But unfortunately, most doctors have been indoctrinated to think that the best way to solve a health problem is with a “magic pill”, and often don’t bother with natural solutions. Of course there will be the obligatory calcium recommendation (typically by incorrectly suggesting an INCREASE in dairy consumption), but that’s where it all ends…
Don’t get me wrong, doctors mean well and may not be aware that they end up killing an ant with an elephant. And last but not least, doctors don’t learn about Nutrition and are completely ignorant of this extremely important aspect of natural health maintenance and healing.
Thankfully, there is a natural and drug-free way to have strong and healthy bones. I hope that you will use your knowledge and your freedom to choose wisely… and when in doubt, don’t hesitate to contact me by phone or by sending me an email. I’m here to answer your questions and to listen to your comments.
Here’s to your educated decisions,
Vivian
Related Posts
Exposed: The Osteoporosis Trick AND Treat
Osteoporosis Scare Tactics: Has a Doctor Ever Done This to You?
Bone Health Myth: Doctors Always Know What’s Best for You and Your Bone Health
New Year Off To A Bad Start For Osteoporosis Drugs
Osteoporosis drugs may produce healthy statistics, but not healthy people
Not All Doctors Are Created Equal
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February 20, 2010
vivian what is the vertical lines about on the fingernails and what is the connection with calcium absorbtion. also,can you send me information on ph alkaline and acid balance and how i can do this technique
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February 6, 2010
If SALBA can benefit my ostoporosis?
I am just adding 2 tablespoon of SALBA to
mymorning food.
Thank you.
Alla.
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January 31, 2010
Hi Vivian
Can you please help me on letting me know the brand of calcium that you take. I am now taking citracal plus bone density builder but I think from your articles that I should be taking amino acid chelated. I went on line & all I did was confused myself. I took your advice & starting taking vit k-2 & Ubiquinol. I have your book & really am learning. I am a breast cancer survivor, have osteopenia in the hip & osteoporosis in the spine. I really want to take charge of my body (which your book is helping with my health) & be taking the proper calcuim.
Thank you for your time
Darlene
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December 8, 2009
I was injected with reclast,my doctor moved and my new doctor gave me fosomax for 3 month now I have stomach problems,I will see a specialist next week,Heidi.
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December 2, 2009
really like this website and yesterday received my ebook and read it. i am a believer of alkaline diets and will work from now on to et80-20 alkaline acid.
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November 23, 2009
Thanks for making your information available to osteoperosis suffers. As an African-american women, I was shocked to find out that I have Osteoperosis in my spine (L1-L4)T Score = -3.9, and Osteopenia in my hip T Score = -2.0. This was discovered through an examination performed by a disability doctor. When I sent my Rheumotologist the results, the first thing she wanted to do was to call in a prescription to my pharmacist for Fosamax. I suffer from a number of disabilities and am already taking 13 different medications for these other disabilities. I did not wish to add to my list of required medications; especially one that is strongly suspected to cause serious jaw problems. So, I really appreciate you providing a safe alternative to prescribed medication!
I am a little disappointed that your book is not sold in bookstores. I wanted to immediately go out and buy a copy, but couldn’t find it in typical bookstores. Will you be making this book available through bookstores in the future?
WE
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November 23, 2009
I have got oteopenia with Tscore of spine -1.9 and have pains all over my body including my hand and leg fingers.
I was not aware about such osteopenia untill I took test on BMD, I understand that I would need calcium and planning to take calcium content in my diet atleast 1000mg every day.
Will this work and get back to me to normal state atleast for few months or do I need to take medicines. I haven’t been to doctor as I have just received my reports.
Please suggest me and also the time that takes to be normal. Waiting for your reply eagerly.
Thanks & Regard,
Bharadwaj.
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November 16, 2009
I have just been prescribed Actonel for osteopenia, but have not purchased any yet. I am interested in your program, but have a question: is it compatible with a vegetarian diet (incl. dairy – lactose free – and eggs in modest quantity)? I have been a vegetarian for decades and wish to remain so.
Also are the foods recommended natural foods (as in your Caribbean Adventure Salad) as I live in Australia and cannot get typically American preparations?
Looking forward to and greatly appreciating your response.
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November 3, 2009
I have tried quite a few times to receive “The Natural Bone Building Guide”, but have not received it in my e-mail. I was diagnosed with osteopenia two years ago. My doctor prescribed Fosamax for me. I am looking for natural treatment instead.
Thank you.
Netty.
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October 19, 2009
My Dr. is really pushing drugs for my osteopenia
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October 18, 2009
I broke my femur bone 18 months ago. I had been on fosamax for 4 years. Actually where I broke my bone already had a fracture in that area. It was having a hard healing and the doctor told me to get off of fosamax because it interfered with the healing of the bone. I am still off of it. I have been one the diet from the book “Save My Bones”. I would like to know where I can buy a PH balance kit. I stil have a rod in my leg and because it was broken so high I had to have a rod put in my in my hip to stabilize the bone. Also, I still have 2 screws in my knee.
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October 11, 2009
My doctor also told me I have the beginnings of osteoporosis and put me a generic medication called Alendronate Sodium tablets. I had talked with my Aunt and others and was told to read up on it. I did look it up and when I read the article I decided that I was not going to use this medication. This was about a month ago and my back has not hurt at all so far. The effects that it could cause blew me away. It sounded like a death sentence.
I am really happy that I found your e-mail and now I know others are doing the same thing. I will start taking more B12. What is the amount of B12 that should be taken?
Thank you and I look forward to going forward without the medication I was put on.
Thank you so much for the information.
Sincerely,
Janice Bunch
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October 6, 2009
Is it true that when starting off with a natural healing process for osteoporosis, that you stay clear of any calcium supplements and just take magnesium. This is supposedly to balance system and take unwanted calcium from arteries, stones etc and place it into bones.
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April 18, 2009
after seeing a dr for burning and pain around joints neck and shoulder blades a nerve test was done no damage now x-ray on hand result were osteopenia dr say usaully found in people sixty and i am thirty three she then did blood test for arthitis no results meantime ino longer run a mile three times a week no do martial arts twice a week given tramodul still major burning and pain now given norco any suggestion now she askes if am depressed
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March 25, 2009
Well said, finally a good report on this stuff
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March 8, 2009
gr8 resrch bro
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January 15, 2009
I have been taking actonel for a while but have stopped after reading your articles. I know my Dr won’t agree with me but I am worried as I have had jaw problems (not serious but kind of disconnected) and aches in my left arm which I cannot explain. Do you think these could be connected?
I am 83 years old and have never taken medications till recently.
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January 12, 2009
hi,
i am 48 years old man . i discovered that i have osteoporosis 3 years ago i had an acceptable level of pain in my back. i did MRI and discovered fractures in my spine. my doctor gave me ACTONEL one tablet per week and took also one alpha calcidol one tablet per day plus Orocal D4 calcium.
i changed doctor he is asking me to stop ACTONEL and replace it by FORSTEO injection.
Frankly speaking i am really lost dont know what to do especially if you do some research on the web telling us that all medications have really very bad side effects such as cancer etc…
regards
Ralph BASHA
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January 5, 2009
Hi Vivian, I just received my diagnosis of severe bone loss of hip and mild bone loss of spine and my Doctor prescribed Fosamax. I have taken Fosamax, Miacalcin, Fortical, and Boniva with serious side effects from all of these medications. I went online to research Fosamax and came across your information. I have ordered your book and am looking forward to reading it and following your recommendations and hopefully I can overcome this without taking the prescribed medication.
Ann
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December 30, 2008
I have just come across your website and I am intrigued. My husband at 49 has been diagnosed with osteopenia as a result of a fracture, 6 months later with non healing, more surgery,bone stimulator, endocrinologists visits, rehab, and nothing seems to be making any difference with bone deposition. He has now had an auto graft from his hip. My concern is that there is clearly a bigger problem of calcium absorption and deposition. The next step we are told is to take fosamax but I just do not think that is the answer.
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December 19, 2008
I was diagnosed with osteopenia last year and prescribed boniva.I began taking this drug in September of 2007 and experienced persistent chills blurred vision and a general feeling of just not being up to par.I also noticed my left wrist joints becoming mildly painful. then the right wrist and my leg muscles began to be bothersome after just very short walks of no more then 50 yards.01/30/08 after taking my monthly dose of Boniva at 7 am within 15 to 20 minutes I got a feeling of doom and being sick I layed back down on the couch for a few minutes when the itching of my hands then my head began and it then moved to my feet and ankles followed by an all over head to toe rash.Also my tongue and lips began to feel very strange and I knew I was in trouble. I was treated in a local hospital ER and placed on prednisone. The next problem occured within 2 days after taking my next dose.My right jaw began to hurt and pain became severe , I was certain I had an abcess festering.My Dentist was just as suprised as I was when Xrays revealed no infection or any other dental problem.This episode lasted about a week and vanished.By May 08 my left hand was so bothersome it was painful to just pick up my cup of coffee and opening a door or jar impossible the right was also affected but not as severe, (there is an old injury to my left wrist)and being a lefty it is my predominant hand in all I do. I finally came to the conclusion after doing a lot of research that it had to be side effects to the Boniva.I took no additional doses and by my next scheduled Checkup in September 08 most of the side effects to Boniva were resolving or have disappeared all together.My wrist joints are still a little bothersome but have returned to functional as before taking the Boniva.My Doctor concurred my findings but recommended another Medication Miacalcin.My research on this Medication raised red flags as joint pain, vision problems are also noted.I have decline taking any further Medication as I do not want to go through another experience as I have with Boniva.Dr. Edwards understood and recommended to stay on the 1200 mg of calcium+D and weight bearing exercises.
I came across your web site as I was researching the other day and I thank you for your efforts to give patients the knowledge to make an informed choice.
I will order your book by calling the given phone No. I read the sampler and want to find out more.
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December 12, 2008
I have slight osterpenia in my lower back, no other medical problems. The past few weeks, when I’m sitting and lean forward or sideways, the bones in my back pop. It doesn’t hunt, just annoying. Is it something to be concerned about? Thank you.
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December 4, 2008
Hi Vivian,
I’ve enjoyed your comments and will buy your book The Bone Healty Revolution. This is my first time on your web site. I signed up Save our Bones Club. I have been diagnost with the beginings of Osterpenia. Five years ago I had good bone for my age (then I was 64) I spent a lot of time in the gym. I haven’t been in the gym for 5 years and I need to get back into the gym. I take calcium. My feeling is I need to be in the gym! I also go for natural means, but don’t have a good grasp on what to do. I use to juice fruits and veg. and am thinking to start up again. Do you have any advice for me.
I want to thank you for your web site. It is important for men and women to know about bone disease. My grandmother and mother had Osteoprosis (very painful)
Thank you for your time and effort.
Jill Miles
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November 6, 2008
Hi Zita,
The drug is Arimidex and it may cause a reduction in bone mineral because it reduces the amount of circulating estrogen.Your best and safest bet is to follow the bone health plan in my book, that you’ve already purchased. By maintaining a balanced pH you can protect your bones from calcium loss and greatly increase your chances of a successful therapy with Arimidex. Scientific studies have shown that cancer cells benefit from an acidic environment.
Wishing you all the best,
Vivian
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November 6, 2008
I recently had a bi-lateral mastsectomie. I do not have to have Chemo or radiation, but the oncologist wants me to take either tamoxafen or amidex (not sure this is the correct spelling). I am going to take the Amidex, which may cause bone loss. My Bone Density test showed Osteropenia, I am 63.
What can I do to stave off any further deterioration and even possibly build bone density.
Respectfully, Zita
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October 28, 2008
I had a bone density scan and it indicated that I was “at high risk for fracture”. I had been on Tamoxofin for almost 5 years. My doctor prescribed Fosomax and I got acid reflux. I went off the Fasomax with the knowledge of my doctor and she prescribed Actonel (once per week) which I was able to tolerate. I had been doing strength and resistance training 2 times a week and making sure that I included calcium in my diet supplemented with calcium medication. I have since gone off Actonel because my last bone density scan showed improvement in bone density. My doctor agreed that there was no need to keep taking medication as long as I kept up with the exercises and calcium intake. Unfortunately, I stilll have acid reflux.
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October 28, 2008
Hi Vivian I have been on fosamax for 11yrs came of it when my cousin in North Carolia told me about you so, I have been off it for 4 months I seem to be alright apart from this week i have developed toothache pluss a loose tooth will that have anything to do with Fosamax sue
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October 27, 2008
Hi Vivian,
I am so doing everything you mentioned in your book, butstill have a few questions.
What do you think of Tums as a way of getting calcium and also decreasing the acid in our digestive system?
Do you recommend Glucosomine with chrondritin? Are there studies that show it helps bones?
Do you have an opinion on ipriflavone, or papaya extract pills?
My nails still have vertical lines and I have been on your diet four months. When do you think they might show that I am absorbing calcium again?
Thank you so much for answering these.
Lynn
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October 29, 2008
Hi Lynn,
I’m glad to hear that you ‘re following the Bone Health Action Plan I explain in my book. Keep it up! Your question about Tums brings up a Catch 22 situation. Here’s why: without enough stomach acid we can’t absorb calcium. For example, taking proton pump inhibitors for an extended period of time (like Nexium or Prevacid) can cause excessive bone loss. Calcium is a great acid neutralizer,and that is why it’s the active ingredient in Tums.
Glucosamine and chondroitin may improve joint mobility. Ipriflavone has been shown to alter normal bone metabolism, something that in the long run may be a detriment rather than help . Moreover, there have been cases of lymphocytopenia in women taking ipriflavone .Papaya extract (papain) may act as a digestive aid but be careful with the dosage. A few cases of damage to the esophagus have been reported.
Any biochemical change typically takes at least 6 months to show…That explains why your nails still have the vertical lines.
Best regards,
Vivian
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October 31, 2008
Hi Sue,
Fosamax is “innocent” until proven “guilty”…(just a little joke here). But seriously now, your dentist will be able to give you the final “verdict”.
Take care,
Vivian
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October 31, 2008
Great news about your bone health (and your doctor), Pat. If you’re taking proton-pump inhibitors for the reflux, they might compromise your calcium absorption and pH balance. You see, we need an acidic environment in the stomach to properly absorb minerals and digest foods. I understand that reflux is very uncomfortable and that by now you might have identified the foods that cause you the most discomfort… Be patient and feel free to get back to me if your reflux does not improve in a month or so.
Regards,
Vivian
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