One of my top priorities is to keep the Save Our Bones community up-to-date with the latest information. Not surprisingly, what I find often shocks me and sometimes amazes me. But one thing remains constant: I always dig deeper into the real meaning of the latest osteoporosis news and I’m always thrilled to share it with you.
This month has seen many interesting new developments in the osteoporosis arena. Recent research reveals an until-now unknown and peculiar pathway that builds bone.
You’ll also read about a recent and truly disturbing FDA drug approval. And we’re going to look (yet again!) at the triumph of Big Pharma over government regulators that may sadly claim many, many innocent lives…
Bone Growth Stimulator Discovered…Get Ready For New Osteoporosis Drugs!
A Washington University School of Medicine research team has delved more deeply into the mechanism of bone growth. Their findings are really interesting, pointing to the role of a certain protein in activating bone formation. Unfortunately, as usual, this breakthrough information will be most likely used to develop new osteoporosis drugs.
News Excerpt:
“Studying mice, Long (the lead study researcher) focused on a pathway involved in bone formation. The so-called WNT proteins carry messages into cells and regulate embryonic and adult tissue in mammals, including humans. The WNT proteins enter cells from the outside and then can activate multiple pathways inside those cells.
…
Long and his colleagues studied mice that made either normal levels or an extra amount of WNT proteins. They found that a particular WNT protein, WNT7B, is a potent stimulator of bone formation in mice. Mice engineered to make additional WNT7B manufactured new bone at much higher rates than normal mice.
The researchers also found that the protein created more bone by greatly increasing the number of bone-manufacturing cells in the mice. Our bones are in a constant state of flux as the number of bone-making (osteoblast) cells fluctuates, while the number of bone-degrading (osteoclast) cells also adjusts.
The WNT7B protein had no effect on the total activity of bone-degrading osteoclasts but substantially increased the number of bone-building osteoblast cells. And it did so by stimulating the mTOR pathway.
‘It’s still early, but our finding seems to point out that activating the mTOR pathway may be a good way to stimulate bone growth,” said Long, also a professor of medicine and of developmental biology.” 1
This sounds exciting at first – what’s wrong with stimulating the body’s natural bone-building process using its own protein? There’s actually quite a bit wrong with it. I'll explain.
Stimulating the mTOR pathway had no effect on osteoclasts, the cells that break down bone. As Savers know, losing bone is as important as building new bone in the remodeling cycle, since that is how bone cells renew themselves. This is the first red flag.
The second warning has to do with how medications are patented. While the protein referred to (WNT7B) is “natural,” it will have to have a synthetic chemical added to it to make it a patentable drug. Drug companies know they can’t patent a natural substance.
You see, the Osteoporosis Reversal Program advocates working with the body’s natural bone-building process, but it’s not through artificial stimulation that emphasizes only one aspect of the bone remodeling cycle. Your body knows how to build bone; it doesn’t need to be “told” how with dangerous drugs. The key is giving it the nutrients and terrain it needs to do what it’s designed to do: build strong and healthy bones.
FDA Approves Drug So Dangerously Addictive That Drug Addiction Specialists Are Up In Arms!
This is a very disturbing piece of news.
Today’s “conventional wisdom” supports the concept that the FDA’s approval of a drug is a “safety badge.” In other words, if the FDA approved a prescription drug, it must be safe, right? Wrong.
For one thing, there’s no such thing as a 100% safe drug. More importantly, the FDA’s approval of a particular drug seems to not be related to “safety”… Unfortunately, as you’ll read, there’s more involved in the drug approval process than meets the eye…
News Excerpt:
“A coalition of more than 40 health care, consumer and addiction treatment groups is urging the Food and Drug Administration to revoke approval of the prescription drug Zohydro.
The hydrocodone-based drug is the latest in a long line of painkillers called opioid analgesics. The FDA approved the medication last fall to treat chronic pain, and it is set to become available to patients in March.
‘In the midst of a severe drug epidemic fueled by overprescribing of opioids, the very last thing the country needs is a new, dangerous, high-dose opioid,’ the coalition wrote in a letter to FDA Commissioner Dr. Margaret Hamburg.
…
‘It's a whopping dose of hydrocodone packed in an easy-to-crush capsule,’ said Dr. Andrew Kolodny, president of the advocacy group Physicians for Responsible Opioid Prescribing. ‘It will kill people as soon as it's released.’” 2
And take a look at this ironic twist, clearly showing how the “concerns” voiced by the FDA are just shallow rhetoric:
“Bigger, stronger opioids — especially those containing hydrocodone — are a concern. Hydrocodone (Zohydro's sole ingredient) is one of the most frequently prescribed — and abused — opioids.
For that reason, in October, the FDA said it intended to shift hydrocodone-containing drugs from Schedulle III to Schedule II. That rescheduling (still pending approval by the Drug Enforcement Administration) would mean much stricter dispensing and prescribing rules for hydrocodone-containing products.
At the time of that recommendation, the FDA posted a statement on its website that it “… has become increasingly concerned about the abuse and misuse of opioid products, which have sadly reached epidemic proportions in certain parts of the United States.”
A day after announcing the proposed drug schedule change for hydrocodone, the FDA announced Zohydro's approval. It was a confusing juxtaposition, some say.
“Shocking, outrageous and genuinely frightening,” said Kolodny of the Physicians for Responsible Opioid Prescribing.”” 2
Also, prosecutors from 28 different states are mobilizing to get this approval revoked.
“The letter from 28 states attorneys general asks the FDA to revoke the drug's approval or require manufacturer Zogenix to quickly reformulate the drug so it is more difficult to abuse.” 3
It makes no difference how the drug is “reformulated”; the message is clear: FDA approval means nothing. The same approval process occurs with osteoporosis drugs, and this just goes to show that you can never trust the FDA’s assurances.
European Drug Regulators Surrender to Big Pharma: Protelos Can Be Prescribed, But With A “Warning”
Back in April 2013, the European Medicines Agency (EMA) recommended that the use of Protelos and Osseor (strontium ranelate) be restricted to reduce the risk of heart problems. And the Pharmacovigilance Risk Assessment Committee (PRAC) actually recommended that these drugs no longer be used to treat osteoporosis.
During the months following April 2013, PRAC conducted an in-depth review of the study data that suggested heart problems could be connected to Protelos. After looking closely at the “benefits” and risks of these drugs, they drew the conclusion that the risks are simply too great to balance any benefits.
News Excerpt:
“The PRAC has now conducted an in-depth review on the benefits and risk of the medicine. It was noted that for every 1,000 patient-years there were 4 more cases of serious heart problems (including heart attacks) and 4 more cases of blood clots or blockages of blood vessels with Protelos and Osseor than with placebo. In addition, Protelos and Osseor are associated with a number of other risks, such as serious skin reactions, disturbances in consciousness, seizures, hepatitis (liver inflammation) and reduced number of blood cells.
…
With regard to its benefits, Protelos and Osseor have been shown to have a modest effect in osteoporosis, preventing about 5 non-spinal fractures, 15 new spinal fractures and 0,4 hip fractures for every 1,000 patient-years.
The PRAC weighed the benefits of the medicinal products against the known risks and concluded that the balance was no longer favourable and recommended Protelos and Osseor be suspended…” 4
However, the Regulatory Agency has refused to follow the Committee’s advice, in essence caving in to Big Pharma…
News Excerpt:
“Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) says it will be issuing updated advice to healthcare professionals that Protelos, used to treat severe osteoporosis in post-menopausal women and men with a high risk of fracture, should only be prescribed to patients who do not have a history of heart problems and if the patient is unable to take other medicines for this condition.
…
The EMA will be updating the patient information leaflet for Protelos to reflect the prescribing guidelines and small risk of heart problems and blood clots.” 5
Because osteoporosis is not a disease, there’s no need to take any osteoporosis drug. In fact, in the Osteoporosis Reversal Program, I point out that no osteoporosis drug is worth the risk of dangerous side effects, and issue my own warning urging everyone to suspend the use of all osteoporosis drugs.
Till next time,
References
1 Dryden, Jim. “Discovery may lead to new drugs for osteoporosis.” January 30, 2014. Washington University in St. Louis Newsroom. Web. https://news.wustl.edu/news/Pages/26429.aspx
2 Smith, Stephanie. “New pain pill’s approval: ‘Genuinely frightening.’” February 26, 2014. CNNHealth. Web. https://www.cnn.com/2014/02/26/health/zohydro-approval/index.html?hpt=hp_t2
3 “28 states ask FDA to rethink approval of new painkiller drug Zohydro.” December 12, 2013. NY Daily News. Web. https://www.nydailynews.com/life-style/health/28-states-fda-rethink-approval-new-painkiller-article-1.1545864
4 “PRAC recommends suspending use of Protelos and Osseor (strontium ranelate).” January 13, 2014. HALMED: Agency for Medicinal Products and Medical Devices of Croatia. Web. https://www.almp.hr/?ln=en&w=novosti&d=2014&id=998&p=1
5 Gould, Mark. “Osteoporosis Drug Warning.” February 24, 2014. OnMedica. Web. https://www.onmedica.com/NewsArticle.aspx?id=5e4669e2-3caa-410b-be01-2b2c0c197406
I would like to warn any one that is offered the drug Prolia for osteopenia or osteoperosis , do not take it. I, unfortunately trusted my doctor when offered this drug for a very light case of osteopenia . It has horrible side effects, some very serious. I did not research this prior to my injection, and was not told about the horrible side effects that can occur, big mistake, I trusted my doctor. Now I am living with severe aches and pains all over my body, digestive problems, skin issues, ear infections and more. I will never take another shot of Prolia and again want to warn everyone I can about this horrible drug for bone loss. Look up the patient reviews on WebMd, and rxlist, the reviews tell just how bad Prolia is on your body. I have reported it to the FDA and emailed the drug maker, Amgen, & my doctor. Beware of Prolia, it is awful.
I am 70 years old women iam suffering from osteoporosis. Last year I have taken racist injection. I used to see health care web cites . In this I found all injections are dangerous hence this year I am not going to take any injections for calcium deficiency. I am daily taking supra cal in morning at 5am at 6am I am taking a health juice prepared at home consisting of watermelon,orange, grapes, jamun,. At 11 am taking papaya and mango fruites at the time of breakfast. Breakfast consisting of brown rice, green Beens, brocoly,etc. At 11 am after breakfast aim taking cal mag, samon omega3. Evening at 4pm am taking almonds, fig, penutes walnuts.morning 6am and evening 5pm going for walk to get D3 in the sunshine iam also taking D3 tablets for D3 defiency.fortunately god grace I am not having any pain in this condition what is your advise to cure osteoporosis every year I am taking Dexsa scan.
I also have osteoporosis. I was wondering where you got your diet information from. Please let me know. I have been on Fosomax and am now off and taking a break from it. i would love to learn more about how you learned your nutrition information. Thank you.
Dear Vivian, thank you for all the info you provide. I do wish British doctors would read it. I recommended your site to the person who did my dexa scan I hope she had time to take a look at it. Keep up the good work, x
I have been diagnosed with asthma and am on Advair which is a steroid and on thyroid med. If I follow Save our Bones and Densercise is there any way possible that these programs can work for me in avoiding osteoporosis?
My latest bone exam taken by MRI in my hip area (is that bone density or another bone test?) gave a reading of 7.3.
Vivian or others – is this a good score?
If you eat 600mgs of rich calcium foods daily, by keeping track, talking about greens, almonds, etc do we need to take 1200 mgs of calcium a day. Can we subtract our intake from foods and take 600 a day. I take True Osteo and it is expensive and I am waisting money by taking much more than I need, it seems foolish.
Also is it ok to take one of my tabs at nite before bed.
Please let me know and where do
You might want to try taking Bone Maximizer III and Osteria if you can locate it in your town or state. I get mine here in Lake Charles, LA at Boudreaux’s New Drug Pharmacy and I had better results with it than when I was taking Actonel or Boneiva which was starting to affect my muscles and bones. I am so glad that I only take vitamins and no types of medicines.
Hi! Vivian,
I Too, Thank You For All You Do; To Help Us SAVE OUR BONES.
I Hope You Are Doing Well. Take Care, And Stay Well.
LOVE, LESLIE C.
Dear Vivian,
I have been receiving your emails for some time. I am our Sr.Ctr.rep to the Osteoporosis Council for the state of NJ. I just received an email from the National Osteoporosis Foundation and their information includes a list of medicines to take for Osteo. which includes all of the medicines that you say not to take, I am confused by this since I have been trying to follow your routine. Please advise.
Jean
I’m 88 going on 89 in May. About three years ago diagnosed with osteoporosis in the neck of my hip. When I was diagnosed with osteoporosis I found you. I Just take 12-l/2 mg of Losartan for blood pressure. No other drugs. All my life I drank milk and in my seventies and eighties drank about 3 glasses per day. Also in Milwaukee we have fluoridated water and drank it all the time. Never had problems with osteoporosis until 3 years ago. However, now I drink almond milk and get water from my daughter which is not fluoridated. I had been exercising at the YWCA for at least eight years–walking on the track, bicycling and doing some weights. I was surprised that my numbers went up. Now I am even more dedicated. I do the treadmill at a good speed for approximately two miles at the YWCA and 3 days per week at home at the same speed for two miles. I am anxious to find out in January if this will change my reading–what do you think? I’m about 5″ tall-lost l-l/2 in- and weigh about 104 lbs. I intend to walk outside instead of the treadmill at home when the weather changes. Last year I fell when walking because of the sidewalk. I was able to brace myself when I fell and I was okay. Do you think that I will increase my bone density ? I am not a drug taker and will always take my chances finding another way out!
Forgot to tell you I purchased your book “Saveourbones.” I am learning a lot. I always try to eat healthy. Thank you very much for all your work and information. Don’t know where I would be without you!
I gave up on almond milk when I read the small print and found out they were enhancing the milk with calcium carbonate. Which is probably the worst kind of calcium out there.
Before drinking it, one has to take all the necessary pre-vitamins to get it absorbed in the bones and not clogging our arteries. D3, K2, magnesium and then wait to drink the milk.
Almond milk is so easy to make at home. And you know it’s fresh, and chock full of real almond nutrition. They are pasteurizing our almonds which takes out a lot of that nutrition. The almond milk sold in stores is just another empty promise of good health. You can find a recipe for almond milk on-line and also find places that sell unpasteurized almonds too.
What we have to go through.
Hi Vivian
I just want to thank you for your books and the reports on all these new drugs coming on line. I used to work at the University in Pharmacy and was alerted to the dangers of all drugs. I worked with a academic who wrote a book, on the drug abuse in seniors and I worked for him for many years. His research was absolutely correct and consequently was not popular in Pharmacy. Thank you for all the hard work you do. I have been blessed to have encountered all these reports and do not take anything other than Thyroid pill.
3 years ago I had a bone density and I was told that I have osteoporosis and I refused to take any osteoporosis drugs, I just had another bone density and it has gotten worse so I know my Dr will want me to take one of these drugs, but I also have crohns disease and I don’t know what to do, I don’t want to take any of these drugs. People have told me that prolia is the best but I also read that you shouldn’t take prolia with any autoimmune disease, what should I do?
The information about the WNT7B protein is very promising. The question is – can we absorb more of this type of protein, in such a way that it’ll stimulate bone-building, in a natural way? Where does this protein-type exist?
I like your line of thinking, Shula! It’s also worth examining if there’s something we may be doing that inhibits that particular protein…
Thanks again Vivian, on keeping us updated about these dangerous and harmful drugs. It is shocking how such things are permitted to be prescribed! I personally experienced bad side effects from Fosamax. No one took me seriously! But I refused to carry on taking it. I was so relieved to find out that I made the right decision – after I discovered your “bone savers” research and your book. You are a God send!
I have been a member of the Save Our Bones community since 2008 when my Bone Density Test showed osteopenic change and my doctor wanted to prescribe medication. After some research, I found Save Our Bones and have benefited these past six years from your natural approach. Thank you, Vivian.
One area that you address is personal care products. In 44 Bone Health DO’S and DON’TS #22 you state: “Don’t use skin or hair care products, soaps and deodorants with synthetic chemicals …sodium lauryl sulfate, PEG-100 stearate, methylparaben, etc.” Unfortunately, many of the products that claim to be organic and healthy also include some ingredients (sometimes hidden) which are toxic and harmful. I didn’t realize how extensive this deception is until I found a company that actually produces personal care and home care products totally without harmful chemicals. I am delighted to introduce you and your readers to Ava Anderson Non-Toxic. I hope you will be as enthralled with this company, its products, and its story as my family and I are. As this is a direct sales company, two of my daughters have signed on as consultants, so they are directly involved with spreading this non-toxic message and promoting these revolutionary products. Take some time to familiarize yourself with all this company has to offer by linking to http://www.avaandersonnontoxic.com/racheldonnelly
Hello Vivian and all;
Just had to say a big thankyou again for this email. So helpful for
ones who want to do the best we can for our bones and overall health.
Louise
Is 50,000 units of Vitamin D once a week for 12 weeks appropriate to treat low Vitamin D levels in addition to 4,000 units daily? I have significant osteoporosis as confirmed by my latest Bone density test. I have taken both Fosimax and Boniva in the past and refuse to take osteoporosis meds again.
Linda, there is no cookie-cutter recommendation for everyone regarding Vitamin D. 🙂 That’s because each of us spends time in the sun for varying times (or no time at all). Hence, and with the knowledge that you can always safely take the RDA of 400 IUs (as per the Osteoporosis Reversal Program), you can build from there depending on the seasons and your exposure to the sun. 🙂
For more on Vitamin D, you might enjoy reading my post on this topic: https://saveourbones.com/the-latest-news-on-vitamin-d/
Thank you for your constant sound information on research and development of drugs and giving us all the reasons why we cannot believe what is written in the reports. I stopped taking Bisphosphonates about three years ago after reading your emails for about a year. I now realise that my bouts of episcleritis (Blood shot eyes) was a side effect of the drug. After I stopped the drug it took a while to gradually decrease in frequency and now it has disappeared! No doctor has ever suggested that there was a link, but I am convinced. We would all be a lot worse off without your information.
I am still wondering…… now at 62 I am trying to eat everything right… kale, broccoli, cabbage, salads…… all the time ..
actually always have
but my back is killing me …….. what do I take for the pain if everything is so bad….??
I am so sorry to hear that you are in pain, Joyce! Do you have a naturally-minded physician, therapist, or chiropractor you can talk to about your pain? Many medical professionals offer pain relief and management techniques that do not involve drugs. 🙂
After taking bisphosphonates for 4 years, starting in 2007 I find my GP offers them to me twice over the last year! Thanks to Viviian’s information, I will never take any bone building drug again! It’s far better to do it the natural way! Much appreciate the latest information because of my family history of heart deaths!
Good for you, Janet! It’s hard to go against your doctor’s “push” for you to take drugs, but you’ve obviously done so with grace. And I am sure your bones (and heart) are thanking you! 🙂
Is strontium citrate safe? I was on fosamax for many years but switched to strontium citrate for almost 2years now. Am due for my 2-year bone density test in June this year.
Hi Shirley,
I know there is a lot of conflicting information out there about strontium! Strontium citrate is simply strontium that is bonded to a different molecule. If you’d like to read about this more in-depth, here’s a link to a post on this subject that you might enjoy:
https://saveourbones.com/strontium-demistyfied/
Protelos was prescribed for me as being a medication that did not attack the liver, which had been a previous problem in taking osteoporosis medication. My head enlarged, for months after stopping the treatment I had what looked like grains of sea-salt coming out of the soles of my feet and my head, constant stomach problems and short-term memory was affected. All in all, an overall feeling of ‘something is not right here’.
What a frightening experience, Cosijn!