Osteosarcopenia is a recently recognized condition that describes the combined effects of osteoporosis (bone loss) and sarcopenia (muscle loss). Both of these changes are normal results of aging and both can be prevented and reversed naturally, but unfortunately, the Medical Establishment will probably use this new diagnosis to justify prescribing dangerous drugs.
Today we're going to look at the short history of osteosarcopenia and you'll learn what causes it and how to avoid it.
What Is Osteosarcopenia?
Osteosarcopenia combines both osteoporosis and sarcopenia. In 2017 a group of researchers examining those two conditions coined the new term.
Osteoporosis is characterised by low bone mass and the deterioration of the microarchitecture of bone tissue. This leads to increased bone fragility and a higher risk of fracture.1
Sarcopenia is defined by the loss of muscle mass and a resulting loss of strength and functionality. Outcomes of sarcopenia include frailty, disability, reduced quality of life, and increased risk of premature death.2
An article published in 2018 in the British Journal of Hospital Medicine described the impact of the combined conditions:
“As such, “sarco-osteopenia”, now more commonly known as “osteosarcopenia”, has been proposed as a new term to represent a frail subset of the elderly population with concomitant osteoporosis and sarcopenia. These patients are at significantly higher risk of falls, fractures and institutionalisation, and have a significantly higher mortality rate than osteoporotic or sarcopenic patients alone.”3
Synopsis
Osteosarcopenia is a diagnosis that combines osteoporosis (bone loss) and sarcopenia (muscle loss). Patients who fit this designation have a significantly higher risk of falls and fractures, as well as higher mortality rates than patients with only one of the two conditions.
Osteosarcopenia Isn't Really New
It is well established that muscles and bones are closely related. The health of one is linked to the health of the other. More than a century ago, Wolff's Law first described how bone is formed in reaction to the mechanical load that muscles exert. However, until now, the Medical Establishment has chosen to define and treat each condition separately, even when they coincided.
The Only Workout Program Your Bones Will Ever Need
Your bones need the right kind of movement to stay strong. SaveTrainer gives you safe, science-backed on-demand video workout classes designed specifically to improve bone health, prevent fractures, enhance posture, improve posture, and boost mobility—all from home.
That choice is part of Western Medicine's failure to consider the interconnectedness of the systems that make up our biology. The invention of osteosarcopenia is a step toward a more holistic consideration of those systems. But it will most likely be used to justify the development and prescription of ineffectual and dangerous drugs.
This is another example of disease mongering— the practice of inventing new diseases to create markets for unnecessary drugs.
Synopsis
Wolff's Law described how muscle and bone are dependent on each other more than a century ago. Osteosarcopenia is a newly invented condition that acknowledges this connection, but it will likely be used as an excuse for creating new prescription drugs.
What Causes Osteosarcopenia?
Osteosarcopenia is caused by a combination of factors linked to aging and behavioral choices.
As we age, many of our physical systems slow down and change. The cellular processes that maintain bone and muscle mass become less efficient. Poor nutrition and a sedentary lifestyle can make it worse.
The main nutritional causes include an acidifying diet and micronutrient deficiencies, such as Vitamin D and other crucial bone-healthy vitamins and minerals.4 Oxidative stress and decreased caloric intake also plays a role in the pathophysiology of osteosarcopenia.4
Lack of exercise causes muscle loss and simultaneously leads to bone loss. Without exercise, inflammation increases, health declines, and both muscle and bone mass deteriorate.4
Synopsis
Osteosarcopenia is caused by a combination of aging, poor diet, and a sedentary lifestyle.
The Effects Of Osteosarcopenia
Studies have linked a diagnosis of osteosarcopenia to severe negative health outcomes.
One study of 680 elderly adults with a history of falls found that 37% of participants met the criteria for osteosarcopenia. Those participants were more likely to experience imparied mobility and depression.5
Another study found a link between osteosarcopenia and significantly increased mortality. This study followed 324 elderly Korean patients who had fractured their hip. Fifteen percent of participants with osteosarcopenia died within a year of their fracture. That was a higher percentage of deaths than occurred among those with only osteoporosis (5.1%) or sarcopenia (10.3%).6
A study of Chinese adults over the age of 64 found that 10.4% of men and 15.1% of women could be considered osteosarcopenic. The chance of frailty was significantly higher in those patients than in those with only osteoporosis or sarcopenia.7
Unsurprisingly, an increased risk of falls and fractures is one of the most likely results of osteosarcopenia.8
Synopsis
Studies have found that osteosarcopenia increases the risk of falls, fractures, frailty, impaired mobility, depression, and premature death.
How To Prevent And Reverse Osteosarcopenia
Clearly, the combination of a bone-healthy diet and regular exercise is key to preventing and reversing osteosarcopenia.
The Osteoporosis Reversal Program is based on a deep scientific understanding of the interconnectedness of our muscular and skeletal systems. The holistic approach of the Save Institute is years ahead of this baby step forward from the Medical Establishment.
However, Big Pharma is already using osteosarcopenia to create new drugs. Medical journals are predicting their development, even as they acknowledge that non-pharmaceutical treatments have already been proven essential and effective.
A study published in the Frontiers in Physiology journal in 2019 pointed to the proven benefits of exercise to combat osteosarcopenia. The researchers recommend progressive resistance and balance exercises at least two to three times a week. They based this recommendation on a study that found exercise and dietary protein to be an effective treatment for reversing skeletal muscle weakness.9
The same study advised ensuring adequate protein intake, calcium, Vitamin D, and creatine each day. The study recommended getting 1.2–1.5 g/kg per day of protein, and 3-5g per day of creatine.9. The latter is naturally found in muscle cells and is very similar to amino acids. In fact, our bodies produce it from the amino acids arginine and glycine.
The Save Institute recommends a minimum of 800 mg of calcium per day through a combination of food sources and supplements, and 2000 IUs of Vitamin D3 daily, plus the rest of the Foundation Supplements. No less important are the large variety of polyphenols abundantly found in plant foods.
Synopsis
Diet and exercise are the the key to preventing and reversing osteosarcopenia. Studies suggest regular resistance and balance exercises and a diet that includes bone and muscle-building nutrients like calcium, protein, Vitamin D, and creatine.
What This Means To You
No matter what name we call it by, osteosarcopenia has always been addressed by the Save Institute scientifically and holistically.
That's why we created SaveTrainer, an online workout platform that allows you to build an exercise routine with the guidance and care of professional trainers. From balance training to bone-building workouts to meditation, SaveTrainer has everything you need to stay healthy and strong.
A holistic approach won't ignore any part of what makes you feel your best. Savers know that bone loss and muscle loss are both preventable. And they know that we have the ability to rebuild both muscle and bone, without taking dangerous and ineffective drugs.
References
1 https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25886902
2 https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/14687319
3 https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5963675/
4 https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/28931495
5 https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25512216
6 https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/29318794
I enjoyed your conversation with folks who need advice on the best advice.especially on topic of the best vitamins to take for our ageing bones. Please let me know. Thanks. For you God given talent.
I appreciate your kind words! The Foundation Supplements listed in the ORP are the vitamins and minerals that help both your bone health and overall health (at any age, but also as we get older).
I’ve read that one must take Magnesium to get full benefit from vitamin D3. Is this correct?
Rachel, magnesium acts as a cofactor for the vitamin D–binding protein and is necessary for the conversion of Vitamin D into the active form of 1,25(OH)2D. Additionally, studies have shown that magnesium supplementation reduced the resistance to vitamin D treatment.
I would like to know how much Vit. K should be taken every day for a 79 yr. old woman who was just diagnosed from osteopenia to osteoporosis but is very healthy and active. Been taking Fosamax for 4 mos. and hate it. My joints hurt terribly. Want to go off of it. Take Vit. D 2500 mg. every day. Thank you.
I’m so sorry that you’ve taken Fosamax and you’re suffering its awful side effects, Phyllis! To answer your question, the recommended daily dose of Vitamin K2 dose is 180 mcg.
This previous article contains a lot of information on Vitamin K:
https://saveourbones.com/6-reasons-to-make-sure-youre-getting-enough-vitamin-k/
Vivian, this is an excellent article, as all of yours are. My nutritionist always said I need to take vitamin K along with vitamin D3 in order to make it work at its best. Do you also recommend this? My liquid vitamin D3 includes K in it also. It might be worth mentioning in your D3 articles, as many people are not aware of this.
Absolutely, Marilyn! As I wrote in a previous article:
“Without enough Vitamin K, Vitamin D can’t fulfill its potential as a bone-building nutrient. They work together to make calcium available to your body, so if you’re only getting one or the other, you’re not getting the full benefits of either.”
If you wish to read it, here’s the link:
https://saveourbones.com/6-reasons-to-make-sure-youre-getting-enough-vitamin-k/
Vivian is spot on about disease mongering! Big Pharma is big money and big business. Our medical system is lacking in preventative care and would benefit from the model of paying health care providers to keep us healthy. In some cultures, heath care providers are paid a retainer to make sure their patients stay healthy. Not in the US. As consumers, we have to make smart choicces to stay healthy and take preventative measures. Thank you, Vivian!
Thanks for chiming in, and you’re welcome!
Thank you , Ita.
It’s my pleasure, Ita!