Latest Osteoporosis News: The International Osteoporosis Foundation Agrees With Save Our Bones, Drug Companies Get Desperate, Another Jaw Lawsuit Won Against Big Pharma, And More! - Save Our Bones

This week’s news involves some interesting insights into Big Pharma. In spite of recognizing that a pH imbalance caused by the wrong dietary choices leads to bone loss, the International Osteoporosis Foundation is still pushing toxic prescription drugs as the only way to manage osteoporosis.

Also, once again Big Pharma is selectively choosing data that falsely depicts their osteoporosis drugs as safe. But as pharmaceutical companies continue to develop highly profitable new osteoporosis drugs, they are starting to lose in court.

No doubt, it’s been an interesting week in osteoporosis news! So let’s get started…

The International Osteoporosis Foundation Admits That an Acid pH Causes Bone Loss, But Still Recommends Dangerous Osteoporosis Drugs

The latest report from the International Osteoporosis Foundation is full of scary statistics about the prevalence of osteoporosis worldwide. In fact, the IOF labels osteoporosis as a “growing public health problem”. What’s their proposed solution? Not surprisingly, more drugs. And while they briefly explain the damaging effects on bone density of diet-induced metabolic acidosis, they ignore it as a solution, and continue to unabashedly support Big Pharma by pushing osteoporosis drugs.

News Excerpt:

“Osteoporosis is the most common bone disease and is manifest in the form of fragility fractures, also referred to as low or minimal trauma fractures. … Worldwide, during the year 2000, there were an estimated 9 million new fragility fractures, of which 1.6 million were at the hip, 1.7 million at the wrist, 0.7 million at the humerus and 1.4 million symptomatic vertebral fractures18. Overall, 61% of fractures occurred in women, including 70% of hip fractures.

“…it is essential that preventive measures be taken at menopause to optimize bone health. This includes specific recommendations for calcium and vitamin D supplementation, other supplements, exercise, need for bone density measurements, fracture risk assessment, and potential need for pharmacologic intervention and follow-up. Good nutrition and an active lifestyle are essential to optimizing health in general, and musculoskeletal health in particular. They are the key foundations for osteoporosis prevention strategies in both genders…”1

For the first time ever, the IOF fully supports the information in the Osteoporosis Reversal Program, as it briefly mentions the value of maintaining the pH balance to preserve bone density:

“The impact of acid-base balance on bone is a comparatively new area of research. Investigation of the effect of aging on blood acid-base composition suggests that reduced renal function in older people diminishes the kidney’s ability to excrete hydrogen ions in response to changes in blood pH. Accordingly, healthy adults manifest a low-grade diet-dependent metabolic acidosis which increases with age. Diet can contribute to acidosis when alkali-producing fruits and vegetables are consumed in insufficient amounts to balance the intake of acid-producing foods such as cereal grains and protein. The organic acids in fruits and vegetables are metabolized to alkaline bicarbonate; cereal grains contribute phytic and other acids and protein adds acid in proportion to its content of sulphur-containing amino acids (which are metabolized to sulphuric acid). An acidic environment has negative effects on preservation of bone in that it can impair bone forming cells.” 1

When you’re reading the above paragraph you could think you’re reading a summary of Chapter 7 in the Osteoporosis Reversal Program. Of course, the predictable difference is that the IOF bypasses this valuable information and continues to recommend osteoporosis drugs as the ultimate solution to bone loss.

Fear Mongering Disguised as Information

The IOF further supports Big Pharma's agenda by describing osteoporosis as a “bone disease”. Fortunately, Savers are well aware that osteoporosis is not a disease. Osteoporosis is simply the body’s way of manifesting an imbalance in the system.

You see, our nutritional and lifestyle needs change as we age. The simple solution is, make the necessary changes to bring your body into balance. That’s exactly what the Osteoporosis Reversal Program is designed to do.

It’s interesting that the “preventative measures” are described as “essential” in the report, such as vitamin and mineral supplementation, exercise, and good nutrition. But the IOF’s report goes on to discuss, in detail, the World Health Organization’s (WHO) fracture risk tests and guidelines…and what to do if you fall into the “at risk for fractures” category: “Consider initiating pharmacologic treatment.”1

This same advice is repeated over and over at the end of the report, as numbers are crunched and data is presented. Every segment ends or begins with the recommendation to “consider pharmacologic treatment” (in other words, drugs) if you score low on the WHO’s test.

Drug Companies Protect Their Products…and Profits

Tarsa Therapeutics, Inc. is boasting a meta-analysis attempting to prove that their drug, salmon calcitonin, does not increase the risk of cancer. And Amgen is proud to present various “selected” abstracts showing how Prolia (denosumab) increases bone density, while they prepare to release a new drug, Romosozumab.

News Excerpt:

“Tarsa Therapeutics Inc. announced that it presented a new meta-analysis showing that salmon calcitonin does not appear to be associated with an increased risk of cancer in postmenopausal women. The meta-analysis was conducted using data derived from approximately 11,000 women in 24 randomized, controlled calcitonin trials that included reporting of adverse events. The meta-analysis yielded an odds ratio close to unity with a narrow bound on the error of estimation, suggesting that calcitonin does not appear to be associated with an increased risk of cancer. 

The data were presented in a plenary poster session at the 2013 ASBMR Annual Meeting. Tarsa is developing an oral calcitonin tablet for the treatment and prevention of post-menopausal osteoporosis.” 2

Conveniently, Tarsa is ignoring all the data showing that salmon calcitonin does not even work. Instead, it has selected to focus mainly on the recently revealed cancer scare while ignoring other alarming side effects of salmon calcitonin (or calcitonin salmon – even the name vacillates). These side effects range from unpleasant (headaches, sinus pain, joint pain, and nasal crusts) to debilitating (bladder infections, swollen tongue, difficulty breathing, and muscle pain).

Although this “fishy” drug has been around since the 1970s, it was in March of 2013 that the FDA admitted its big mistake regarding calcitonin salmon. You see, the FDA approved this drug decades ago, but when the FDA panel met in 2013, they changed their minds and declared that the risks outweigh the benefits.

The fact is, there are no benefits to taking this drug! It was shown to be ineffective at increasing bone density, and the potential cancer risk as well as the side effects simply render this drug useless at best and harmful at worst.

Now On to the Latest Drug From Amgen…

The pharmaceutical giant has just presented some “abstracts of interest” (i.e., carefully selected data) on its drug Prolia (Denosumab) at the American Society for Bone and Mineral Research (ASBMR) annual conference. Amgen also announced a new drug, Romosozumab.

News Excerpt:

“Romosozumab data include results from the Phase 2 study that demonstrate significant increases in volumetric bone mineral density. Romosozumab is being developed in collaboration with UCB. Prolia data include 19 abstracts, featuring several on long-term safety and efficacy data from the open-label extension study of the pivotal Phase 3 fracture trial for up to eight years.

Romosozumab is a bone-forming agent that inhibits sclerostin. It is currently being studied for its potential to reduce fracture risk in an extensive global Phase 3 program. This program includes two pivotal studies evaluating romosozumab against both placebo and active comparator in more than 10,000 women with postmenopausal osteoporosis. Romosozumab is being developed in collaboration with UCB.”3

Amgen is talking out of both sides of its corporate mouth here. If Prolia is so “wonderful,” then why are they developing a new drug? If you’re a regular reader, you’ll know that Prolia is anything but wonderful.

Romosozumab apparently inhibits sclerostin, a protein with which Savers are familiar. Sclerostin is produced by cells in mature bone, and is essential in the bone remodeling process. Among other roles, sclerostin stops new bone formation when the body deems it necessary, such as when it’s time for old bone cells to be shed before new ones can be formed.

Ironically, drugs like Reclast act as sclerostin stimulators, thereby preventing the formation of new bone. This latest drug by Amgen does just the opposite by inhibiting sclerostin. To call it a “bone-forming agent” is simply wrong.

The delicate interplay between minerals, vitamins, hormones, proteins, antioxidants, and host of other substances simply cannot be replicated by the artificial stop-start effect of drugs. When it’s nourished with proper exercise and nutrients, your body does just fine stopping and starting bone formation on its own.

The bottom line is, no drug can do what your body does.

Novartis to Pay Over One Million Dollars to Zometa Lawsuit Winner

For the second time this year, a victim of osteoporosis drugs receives justice…but sadly, there’s no way to undo the damage the drugs have done. After 4 years on Zometa (the same drug as Reclast), Nancy Guenther lost her jaw bone.

News Excerpt:

“A Florida woman who took Zometa to prevent the risk of osteoporosis has won a $1.3 million jury award against drug maker Novartis for causing destruction of her jawbone.

Nancy Guenther was diagnosed with breast cancer in 1999. When her doctors discovered that the cancer had metastasized to her bones, they prescribed Zometa to reduce her risk of bone fractures. Guenther received 46 injections of the drug over four years between 2002 and 2006.
During that time, she claimed she developed a condition in which the jawbone dies, called biphosphonate-related osteonecrosis of the jaw.

Guenther had to have her jaw bone removed and replaced with a metal chain, according to her attorneys…

Jurors found that the drug company was negligent in failing to warn by not providing an adequate warning about the risks of Zometa.”4

My heart aches for this woman, who is only 61 years old. While the Florida jury awarded her $300,000 for medical bills and $1 million for “physical and emotional pain and anguish,” she is still facing life with a metal chain in place of her jaw bone.

Osteonecrosis of the jaw, or ONJ, is a once-rare disorder that has resurfaced with the widespread use of bisphosphonates. In fact, the above news excerpt notes that “bisphosphonate-related osteonecrosis of the jaw” is recognized as a specific form of this disease.

This is not the first lawsuit involving ONJ. Rhoda Scheinberg sued Merck, the makers of Fosamax, when a tooth extraction developed into ONJ after 6 years on the drug. Once again, the jury ruled that Merck did not provide adequate warning.

Let’s hope this trend of legal victories continues. How many tragedies, lawsuits, and “wins” on the part of victims will it take for Big Pharma to stop marketing these toxic drugs? Unfortunately, the wins don’t make a dent in Big Pharma’s huge profits. Perhaps, if there are enough lawsuits, the drug companies will actually “feel the pain” in their collective wallet. Sadly, that’s the only language they might understand.

The really good news is that there’s just no need to take the kind of risks that could land you in the Emergency Room or court room. As I pointed out above, if you give your body what it needs, your bones know just what to do to replenish themselves.

The Osteoporosis Reversal Program, with its comprehensive lifestyle, nutrition, and exercise guidelines, will show you how you can achieve strong, healthy bones without ever taking dangerous drugs.

I always like to end on a good note, and I’ve found…

The Perfect Halloween Video

This video features a Halloween light display set to the music of the classic holiday favorite Monster Mash. Enjoy the show and smile, because you won't get spooked by your electric bill this month (but the house owners probably will!)

Till next time,

References

1 International Osteoporosis Foundation. “Bone Care for the PostMenopausal Woman.” 2013. PDF. https://share.iofbonehealth.org/WOD/2013/thematic-report/WOD13-Report.pdf
2 “Tarsa Study Debunks Calcitonin, Cancer Link.” Drug Discovery & Development. October 7, 2013. Web. https://www.dddmag.com/news/2013/10/tarsa-study-debunks-calcitonin-cancer-link
3 “Amgen Presents Nearly Two Dozen Avstracts From Romosozumab And Prolia ® (Denosumab) At ASBMR.” The Wall Street Journal. October 4, 2013. Web. https://online.wsj.com/article/PR-CO-20131004-904851.html
4 Hsieh, Sylvia. “Jawbone Death from Osteoporosis Drug Costs Novartis $1.3M.” Lawyers.com. October 4, 2013. Web. https://blogs.lawyers.com/2013/10/novartis-pays-1m-for-bone-death/

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Comments on this article are closed.

  1. Jan Herndon

    Hello, I have been on an aromatase inhibitor drug for almost five years now (as followup treatment after chemo and radiation for breast cancer) and although I am cancer free…my doctor recommends that I stay on this ai (arimidex/anastrosole) for additional 5 years..I’ve been told that it can cause bone loss….but just had my first dexa scan which came out in osteopenia range. So my question to you is….can I still increase my bone density while on this drug? I’m afraid to go off of it because as I said my cancer has not returned and I am grateful for that….however it’s been recommended that I go on one of the biphosphates to prevent further bone loss and I don’t want to deal with the side effects of a new drug just as I’ve learned to balance the side effects of the aromatase inhibiter…Can this bone building routine help me even though I’ll be taking the one aromatase inhibiter for the next 5 years? Thanks so much , Jan

  2. Osteo88

    Thanks for developing this material on adverse osteoporosis drug effects. I am currently recovering from severe adverse effects of Forteo (severe lethargy, brain fog, inflammatory skin rash and lesions, etc.). Some of the side effects I experienced were not listed in the Eli Lily literature. For example, I developed thrush and candida after 2 months on the drug and this cascaded into inflammatory rash with lesions. My endocrinologist did not know how to treat and wound up seeking OB/GYN specialist to sort through cascading complications. I stopped drug after 4 months (against advise of my physician) and am into my 6th month of recovery. Finally starting to feel like myself again.

    Started your program this past week and appreciate your quest to advise the world on the value of natural solutions (e.g. thoughtful nutrition w/80/20 approach, bone building exercise routines that are carefully thought out, supplements based on your own body’s needs, etc.). I wish I had found your site sooner but hopefully I will start to see BMD improvement soon. Currently have T-Score of -3.9 in my lower spine.

    Re: calcium supplements, what are your thoughts on obtaining calcium needs from dietary intake vs. supplements? Since I suffered from calcium deposits in soft tissue (w/ healthcare practitioner suggesting that this may have been caused by Forteo and/or too high intake of calcium supplements), do you recommend focusing on the dietary angle to be safe?

    Thanks for your guidance.

  3. yvonne

    I have a question … I’m having aclasta treatment for three years now
    is it as damaging as the other drug you are mentionning above ?
    thank you

    • Vivian Goldschmidt, MA

      Yvonne, Aclasta is Reclast – and I’ve written several articles about Reclast and addressed it in some Q&A posts! 🙂 Here is a list of the posts I’ve written on this topic:

      https://saveourbones.com/?s=aclasta

      That should help answer your question!

  4. Leslie (Ms. L. Carmel)

    Hi! Vivian,

    You Are Right! Drug Companies Will Tell You Anything, Just To Get Your Money.

    I’m Going To Try Eating All Or At Least Most Of The Things You’ve Talked About In Your Save Our Bones Articles.
    And I Hope To Try Your Densercise Exercises. So I Can Get In Good Physical Shape!

    Thanks Again For Everything!

    LOVE, LESLIE (MS. L. CARMEL)

    • Vivian Goldschmidt, MA

      I am sure you will enjoy the wonderful foods that help your bones, Leslie! And good for you for including exercise in your bone-building routine. 🙂

  5. Helen Sears

    Thank you for this, and for all the wonderful work you do. It’s taking eons, but the media and a few MDs are catching up with you, one hair-thin element at a time. You are a true pioneer. Please know you are honored for all you do for us. This spooky season, sign me, Rattling Bones (as in dancing) with No Fear, thanks to you and following your sound advice. And thank you for the Monster Mash!

  6. Jane Conibear

    Hello
    I just wanted to post some positive news. I had some medical treatment in my twenties, which indicated an early menopause and found by chance that I had arrived at osteopenia by my late 40s.
    Recently I have had a lot of external life stress, leaving little time for exercise. However, I walked whenever the chance came up and tried to keep to a more alkaline diet (can recommend uk book ‘Honestly Healthy’ offering recipes for alkaline diet and scrummy desserts) and have just got results from GP. From finding your webiste, buying your book and following advice Vivian, my spine bone density has remained the same as two years ago and my hip density has gone up!
    I couldn’t believe it, but Do believe this is down to finding an alternative way to address this condition,
    Many thanks and I Hope this offers other women some positive energy to continue!
    Jane Xx

  7. Mary Kay Rudeen

    Dear Vivian, on Friday of last week, Dr. Oz said on his program to throw away all calcium supplements!! He said they are now finding out that we are getting too much in our body and it is destroying other things. He said we only should get our 1200 from foods. I only take the TrueOsteo that you recommend but now wonder if I should take any? He said he is doing a 180 on his previous recommendations because of this study. Wow…should we stop taking the extra calcium now..PLEASE ADDRESS THIS…thanks…

  8. Linda

    I have had good results with Vitamin D and Strontium Citrate. I test my urine often to check for acid balance and exercise daily. I also pray for God’s best for my body at age 72 and I trust God.

    • Marilyn

      Hi thank you for your post I was wondering what you thought of Strontinum Citrate do you have any side effects at all. What do you use to test the acid balance in your urine. Vivian Goldsmith from the save our bones programme which I am a member is not an advocate of strontinum what are your thoughts?

  9. Ellen Vontillius

    I am 63 years old and was diagnosed with osteoporosis about 10 years ago. I do not take any medications for it, but instead use supplements and exercise. For the last 3 years, I have had problems with constant urinary tract infections. My urologist has put me on a medication called Methenamine. It is not an antibiotic. It is a drug that has been around for a long time and is supposedly safe. It provides an acid environment in the bladder, which prevents bacteria from growing. Bacteria like alkaline environments. My concern is that it may be creating an acid environment in my whole body. How can I find out or does anyone know? Also, is osteoporosis dependent on blood ph or urine ph?

    • Ann

      Cranberries (u can buy bags of frozen cranberries and add to smoothie or fruit compote) or UNSWEETENED cranberry juice will help u as much as the drug you’re taking! Try them, you’ll like them.

      • Diana

        Cranberries are acid though so Ellen needs to be aware of that for when the infection is over. I love cranberries and was eating lots of them in salads but have stopped hoping to not be so acid.

    • Customer Support

      Ellen, please send us an e-mail at Customer Support and we will be glad to help answer your question! Customer Support can be reached at: support@saveourbones.com or simply click on the smiley face icon at the bottom of the page. Thanks!

      • Diana

        Customer Support, is there any reason why all of us can’t have the answer to that last question about urine pH or blood pH. I think I’ve read that blood pH can’t be changed by us, only by the body? But the urine pH helps us to know we’re on the right track by what we’re eating and drinking? And does following the 80/20 rule of Alkaline/Acid raise the pH of urine to 11 or thereabouts? Or is one still stuck at 7 or 7.5? I’ve not been able to raise mine above that even putting ‘Vit. C powder buffered w/Calcium’ (1 tspn 2 x day) in alkaline water drunk throughout the day, adding Alkaline drops to every glass I drink throughout the day/night; and taking loads of supplements and eating fruits & veggies, seeds, nuts, cottage cheese/fruit; and cheating a bit with raisin bread and butter. No coffee, tea, milk, meat, processed foods. And dessert only very occasionally like when we are at someone’s house. I hope you will answer this for me as it’s a puzzle to me and I’ve gone thru 4 boxes of pH strips over the months/years.

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