Summer is in full swing, and we’re seeing the longest days of the year here in the Northern Hemisphere. That means more time to enjoy the warm weather, soak up some vitamin D- producing sunlight while you go for a walk or enjoy a refreshing swim.
These are some of the lifestyle joys that not only enrich your days, but also build your bones without the risky osteoporosis drugs. This month’s Bulletin approaches the world of bone health from all angles, starting with a just-published study that reaffirms what Savers already know: bisphosphonates actually worsen bone quality, increasing fracture risk.
Then we’ll have a look at the ongoing relationship between the science of bone formation and space travel, before coming back to Earth to learn about the latest shocking controversy at the World Health Organization.
Study Shows Bisphosphonate Use Weakens Bone
A just-published study in the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society shows that long-term bisphosphonate users are more likely to have a fracture than short term users.1
The researchers examined data from 5,120 participants in the Women’s Health Initiative study, and followed up with them over the course of 4 years. All of the women were bisphosphonate users with a high fracture risk.
The study cross-examined fracture rates among women who had been taking bisphosphonates for different lengths of time: 2 years, 3-5 years, 6-9 years and 10-12 years.
While those who were on bisphosphonates between 3 and 9 years showed a similar rate of fracture, those who took the drugs for 10-12 years suffered more breaks than those in the 2 year bracket.1
Relevant Excerpt:
“Our study and several others have found higher risk of fractures among very long-term bisphosphonate users, compared with short-term users. However, the ideal length of bisphosphonate use has not yet been studied in randomized clinical trials, which are considered the gold standard of research studies.
Therefore, long-term bisphosphonate users should see their healthcare providers regularly to decide how long to continue bisphosphonate therapy in their individual cases.”2
It is shocking, but sadly not surprising, that doctors continue to prescribe bisphosphonates to unsuspecting patients while ignoring their dangerous side effects. This study clearly shows that it is of vital importance to get involved in your bone health and overall health as well.
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Bisphosphonates cause your body to stop removing old, brittle bone. Meaning that new bone just gets piled up on top of the old bone that your body would normally remove. This isn't a healthy or effective solution for any amount of time. Imagine building a house on a cracked foundation, and then every year you add on another floor to the house. Eventually that cracked foundation will crumble. Piling new bone matter onto brittle bone has the same result: collapse.
Your bones need to be flexible to be strong. Your body knows this. That's why the remodeling process involves both resorption and deposition of bone. Fortunately, Savers have adopted a whole health approach that supports this process instead of attempting to alter it with acidifying osteoporosis drugs.
New Bone Drugs Tested On Rats In Space
A fascinating amount of research on bone and the process of bone formation has emerged from the science of space travel. As Savers know, an effective motivator of bone growth is the stress that muscles place on bone. That's one of the main reasons why exercise is an essential component of a bone-healthy lifestyle.
But even during everyday activities like walking, climbing stairs, or simply standing still, the tension that muscles applies to bones and the pull of gravity results in new bone formation. In a zero gravity environment, this ongoing stress is absent, and the result is bone mass deterioration.
Research to understand this phenomenon and to find ways to combat bone loss has accompanied the history of the Space Age. The most recent link in the outer-space/bone-health nexus is being forged by scientists at UCLA who are experimenting with a bone-building protein named NELL-1.
This laboratory-produced protein is engineered with a special molecule that binds to bone, forcing stem cells to produce the bone-building cells called osteoblasts, while slowing down the function of the osteoclasts that remove old bone.3
If this sounds familiar, it’s because you already know that osteoporosis drugs such as bisphosphonates, attempt to do the exact same thing, reversing bone loss at the expense of bone quality and with dangerous side effects.
Relevant Excerpt:
“UCLA researchers have been testing NELL-1 for more than 18 years and are now expanding the NELL-1 research into space. NELL-1 was discovered in 1996 to have a powerful effect on tissue-specific stem cells that create bone-building cells known as osteoblasts.
Stem cells exposed to NELL-1 create osteoblasts that are more effective at building bone, and reduces the function of osteoclasts that break down bone.
The drug may help people with bone damage or loss from a traumatic bone injury such as injured military service members and astronauts who lose bone density while in space.”3
Be on the lookout for a drug containing NELL-1 to receive further testing on it’s way to the FDA for approval. Like bisphosphonates and other osteoporosis medication, any drug that piles on new bone while preventing resorption makes bones thick and brittle, instead of flexible and healthy.
World Health Organization Wasting Millions Of Dollars On Travel
The World Health Organization (WHO) has come under fire recently for its outlandish travel budgets, often around $200 million a year. WHO is a United Nations (UN) health agency that is an international regulatory body, issuing advisories and responding to health crises like outbreaks of infectious diseases. It’s also an organization that is perennially strapped for cash, and continually requests additional funding.
When that funding is being used to help people suffering from hepatitis, malaria, AIDS or ebola, then it seems like money well spent on humanitarian crises. But it would seem that the leaders of WHO are failing to make sure their resources are spent in the best ways possible, and instead too much of their budget is paying for first class travel and expensive hotel rooms.
Even after instituting rules to limit these abuses, senior officials have complained internally that staffers continue to waste money on unnecessary luxuries– money that should be saving lives.
Relevant Excerpt:
“When you spend the kind of money WHO is spending on travel, you have to be able to justify it,” said Dr. Ashish Jha, director of the Global Health Institute at Harvard University. “I can't think of any justification for ever flying first class.”
Jha warned that WHO's travel spending could have significant consequences for fundraising. Several weeks ago, WHO asked for about $100 million to save people in Somalia from an ongoing drought. In April, it requested $126 million to stop the humanitarian catastrophe in Yemen.
“If WHO is not being as lean as possible, it's going to be hard to remain credible when they make their next funding appeal,” Jha said.”4
This loss of trust in the World Health Organization is significant, not just because of the good they could be doing if they would get their act together, but because of the power this organization wields.
Savers have all been directly impacted by this group, because back in 1992, the WHO reclassified osteoporosis as a disease, shifting the definition to encompass far more people than ever before. The new and arbitrary diagnostic parameters are still being used to prescribe osteoporosis drugs. Indeed, giant pharmaceutical corporations, including Merck, the maker of Fosamax, have benefited enormously from the WHO’s reimagining of osteoporosis.
WHO also has a significant impact on the ways that we can get the nutrients we need to stay healthy and strong, by recognizing the Codex Alimentarius Commission, a group that maintains a collection of standards, guidelines and recommendations relating to foods, food production and food safety.
The Codex Alimentarius Commission was created by the UN’s Food and Agriculture Organization in 1961 before it was joined by the WHO in 1962. They are tasked with protecting consumer health and ensuring fair practices in the international trade of food, providing standards for food labelling, additives, contaminants, pesticide use, risk assessment, hygiene and analysis.
Not everyone agrees with this international body, rejecting the notion that a single group of bureaucrats ought to set the standards of food safety for the entire world, especially since their interests might be compromised by global agribusiness corporations or other large players.
For example, in the 90s, the German delegation proposed that no herb, vitamin or mineral should be sold for preventative or therapeutic reasons, and that supplements should be reclassified as drugs. This proposal was agreed upon, until protests fortunately halted its implementation.5
Such a reclassification of supplements would make them so expensive to produce and market that they might become unavailable entirely. This, in spite of the clear evidence that taking natural supplements like vitamin D3, vitamin C, or zinc helps people to stay healthy, and live longer, fuller lives.
This is yet another sobering example of the World Health Organization’s failures.
Our bodies need an abundance of resources to function at their optimal level. It’s simply not possible to consistently get the full amount of every vitamin and mineral your body can use through your daily diet. When paired with a healthy diet and regular exercise, supplements are an important part of a lifestyle that leads to improved bone health.
The Osteoporosis Reversal Program digs deep into the Foundation Supplements that support bone formation, and the Foundation Foods that contain those powerful natural compounds your body needs! In the Program you can read more about how these vitamins, minerals and antioxidants work to build your bones, and how to get them, both in your diet and in the form of supplements.
Stop Worrying About Your Bone Loss
Join thousands of Savers from around the world who have reversed or prevented their bone loss naturally and scientifically with the Osteoporosis Reversal Program.
You deserve access to the nutrients your body needs to thrive! You deserve to live your life to the fullest. Keep learning about bone health and making beneficial changes to improve your habits. It will all add up and pay off!
Till next time,
References:
1 Drieling, R. L., LaCroix, A. Z., Beresford, S. A. A., Boudreau, D. M., Kooperberg, C., Chlebowski, R. T., Ko, M. G. and Heckbert, S. R. “Long-Term Oral Bisphosphonate Therapy and Fractures in Older Women: The Women's Health Initiative.” J Am Geriatr Soc. 2017. Web: https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/jgs.14911rref/abstract;jsessionid=A42DDDCA5E18362F6547467E7FBD5760.f03t04
2 “Specific long-term therapy may not prevent fractures in older women.” EurekAlert!American Geriatrics Society. 2 Jun 2017. Web: https://eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2017-06/ags-slt060217.php
3 Amy Wallace. “Mice headed to International Space Station to test osteoporosis drug.” UPI. June 2, 2017. Web: https://www.upi.com/Health_News/2017/06/02/Mice-headed-to-International-Space-Station-to-test-osteoporosis-drug/1901496427259/
4 Maria Cheng. “AP Exclusive: Strapped UN health agency spends big on travel.” Associated Press. May 21, 2017. Web: https://www.yahoo.com/news/ap-exclusive-strapped-un-health-agency-spends-big-093315092.html
5 Joanna Blythman. “Health supplements: R.I.P. “ The Guardian. 14 September 2002. Web: https://www.theguardian.com/society/2002/sep/14/medicineandhealth.lifeandhealth
Thank you Vivian for keeping me and others up-to-date with the latest information.
Can taking Fosamax for only 1 year have effected my bones enough to give me a fairly significant improvement in my bone scan? My doctor talked me into taking this medicine after a bone scan of -3.9 spine and femur -2.6 and I accepted reluctantly at the age of 66 so fairly young to have to begin that drug. After reading Vivian’s program and benefits from correct exercising , consulting my gynecologist and researching and reasoning, I stopped takin Foamax after less than a year. My doctor was upset and told me I should have continued for at least two years in order have any benefits. I am now 68 and just received my bone scan results after 6 months of exercising with a personal trainer , taking vitimin C and D and watching what I eat. My spine reading is -3.1 and my femur is -2.2 . Significantly improved. Do you think the Fosomax that I took for only 9 months could have effected the bone density or can I hope that it was the life style change that showed these improved bone scan readings?
Interesting information regarding bone-loss, space, and a specific protein.
Thanks for all this imfo. Jenny
Interesting article. However, what does one do if they have taken Fosomax for 8 years, stopped taking it for 7 now. So much negative news about fractures happening due to the drug. It is possible to grow new bone that is strong after taking the drug? Also is there a time period after stopping the drug that would lessen the chance of fracture of the long bone and problems with the jaw?
There is an excellent research done with isotopic Calcium C-40 and C-42. The breakdown of bone releases a different ratio of Ca42/Ca40 than what is found circulating in the blood. With this approach, it was established that it takes 7 days to start loosing bone during a period of inactivity. This could be used as a marker to follow bone resorption, but the baseline values vary from one person to the next.
I find even well followed markers do not tell the whole story. I had some bone spurs forming in my vertebrae because of a severe scoliosis, so I am having bone formation which shows up in markers, but the bone is not in the right place.
There is still need for a test for real bone strength.
I finally took the plunge and ordered the program! I’m feeling positive about this! I’ve been reading Vivian’s posts for a year and most of the things she talks about have already been part of my anti-cancer lifestyle for 8 years. (This lifestyle allowed my immune system to prevent return of cancer which astounded the doctors without chemo/radiation.) But my recent DEXA scan showed a T-score of -4.0 in my total spine which is very concerning. I know that Vivian has dedicated her working life to researching the issue of bone density, so I am bound to learn more than I already know – at least that’s what I am counting on. After I received my recent scan results, I called my endocrinologist’s office to make an appointment for a consultation. To my shock the nurse told me, “She won’t see you unless you agree to go on Forteo for 2 years.” Can you believe that? The doctor was literally denying me a consultation just because she knows that I am not taking osteoporosis drugs. I replied, “Does she think that is safe considering the fact that Forteo has a side effect of causing osteosarcoma, and I have already had a different type of sarcoma in the past???” She consulted the doctor and phoned back to say she could make me an appointment in late October – 4 months from now! I’m not waiting one more minute, so that’s why I decided to join the Savers group.
I take Turmeric root extract 400mg for inflammation is this a safe product to be taking
Hi Maria,
Please check your inbox for a message from Customer Support. 🙂
I’m curious about this, too, as I take Curcuma Ionga Turmeric (currently 1000 mg). I thought this was good to take. Is it not?
I’m curious about why many of the most interesting questions, and potentially informative answers, are sent privately. I totally understand when there is a question related to a unique situation, but not when the answer could help many people.
Linda, I definitely agree! I didn’t get a response for the turmeric question, and there are so many pertinent questions that go unanswered. It would also be nice if you were notified if a comment or answer to your question was made.
Linda,
The reason for what you describe is that many questions are medical in nature and relate to a specific person’s issue, medication or possible reaction to something. Vivian cannot put those answers out for everyone to read and think they are appropriate for them. Aside from being dangerous, there are potential liability and legal issues involved.
I applaud the work you are doing.
Your comments about WHO and the negative influence of global corporations relate directly to a national political movement to win a constitutional amendment. That amendment would state that money is not speech (get money out of elections) and affirm that only humans, not corporations, have constitutional rights. Twenty states have already passed bills to this effect, and Congress has before it the Democracy for All Amendment.
The corrupting influence of corporate money in human affairs is wreaking havoc. Books on the subject: Sheldon Whitehouse – Captured: The Corporate Infiltration of American Democracy; Jeff Clements – Corporations Are Not People; Tom Hartmann – Unequal Protection.
I heartily agree, Jane. Thanks for your input!
I live in a very hot country. Does wearing sunscreen lessen Vitamin D absorption? I think it does, but my dermatologist says to be sure to wear a high sunscreen every day.
Hi MIriam,
Yes, wearing sunscreen will inevitably prevent Vitamin D formation. One idea is to apply a bone-healthy sunscreen after about 20 minutes of sun exposure. 🙂 You might like to read this post about a famous actress here in the U.S. who changed her daily sunscreen regimen:
https://saveourbones.com/should-you-follow-gwyneth-paltrows-sun-rule/
Hi Vivian and friends
Thanks again for sharing these information pieces with us. Do agree that too much money, time and effort is spent (I don’t want to say wasted!) on research to come up with conclusions that are common sense anyway, part of the used-to-be-wisdom of societies anyway and that, unfortunately and ironically, stop short from spelling out the truth and nothing but the truth?
Excellent point, Ghassan!