Hi am new and looking for any information based on results, if possible, for anyone that has had success with combating osteoporosis and osteopenia the natural way. I have both osteoporosis and osteopenia. I have just started taking vitamins k2, magnesium, zinc with copper and D3 after being told I should take alendronic acid, which I refused. I have no idea what quantities I should take, having just had blood tests and all were normal, (not showing any deficiencies). I am saving so that I can see a doctor that deals with natural medicines, I cannot find any in my area (South west) and would also be grateful for information reccommending any natural medicine doctors that might be able to assist me further with natural medication.
You are doing well with the natural way!
Do you know your tscores?
If lower than -3 then not too bad. My worst which is lower spine is -4.3 so I am careful not to fall.
The main thing with your GP is that they support your choice. Mine is good as she supports my choice and encourages me to research and tell her my findings.
Some good foods that help include avocado, prunes, skin of cucumber, bone broth and leafy greens. A good balanced diet is important.
Weight bearing exercise also helps with bone health.
You sound like you are on the right track anyway.
Hi Ruby
I have Osteoporosis only diagnosed January this year after my lower spine had already crumbled. I too was told to take Alendric Acid and being so shocked at the diagnosis and the realisation that all the lumbar and sciatic pain was because of this I started on Alendric Acid. 9 Months later I took the decision to come off this because it caused awful gastro-intenstinal problems and now am looking to go in the same direction as you mention above. Sourcing the right mix of K1 and 2 is not easy and any advice of the best one to take would be appreciated. I already take Calceos (Cacium and D3) and Magnesium Taurate but have not come across Zinc and Copper as a good thing to throw into the mix. Perhaps you can tell me why this is necessary and where to source it if you wouldn't mind please? The word Expensive comes to mind and I have limited financial resources. I wish you well on your quest and hopefully you will share the outcome
Regards, Lizzie
Hi, yes I will help as much as possible, I know I have lost an inch in height because the osteoporosis is in my spine. I have done a lot of research on the net. and the most recent seems to be getting the ratio of calcium to magnesium correct in order to balance out the process of bone absorbtion and bone renewal. Our bodies have a natural process of bone absorption the cells responsible for the absorbtion of bones are osteoclasts and the cells for renewing bone are osteoblasts, with osteoporosis the osteoclasts live longer, taking too much bone and so the osteoblasts cannot renew the bone quick enough, resulting in bone density loss. You will have to read up on what k2, zinc, manesium, and D3 do for your bones a little yourself, it is too much to explain. D3 should have about 500mg of calcium and also vitamin D3 in one tablet. Myself I will balance the D3 calcichews with the same ratio as magnesium, 500mg, based on research I have done on the net. I cannot advise you on this, personaly elizabeth, as I am not medicaly qualified, but by all means i will let you know what I am trying myself, the rest is up to you. The D3, I currently get from my GP as I am hoping the ratio is correct. Basicly elizabeth they all work together to ensure they are directed to the corect places and broken down where needed. If you have a problem finding information in more detail, let me know again and I will try to explain in more detail. I am currently getting my supply from Holland and Barrett, it is not cheap, unfortunately, I can't help to direct you to cheaper products it is such a competative market, be very careful where you buy your supplements from. I hope I have helped you elizabeth.
Thank you kathleen.
The cause of my osteopenia and osteoperosis was because of an early menapause in my late 20s, I am now in my 50s,so I think I have done well, due to good diet, exercise and on occasion taking phytoestrogen for a few years, which is a plant form of estrogen. I have found information on the internet which has put all, what I would call valuable information from internet websites, that I have found to be the most reliable repitable and valuable, together, which has enabled me at last to find in wrtting a claim that tests for phyto- estrogen acts in a similar way in our bodies, so to protect our bones. unfortunately it also says on that site that phyto- estogens have side affects, as HRT does, but so was compared with HRT. It would seem nearly all the side affects related to people who were still having their periods, and as I am not, it narowed the side affects down to about a possible one or two for me, so based on this evidence it is worth my trying the phyto-estrogens again, but on a regular basis this time.
As you can see elizabeth, I have been very busy with research since my first post that you have read.
I hope this also helps you. Anything else I can help with please
ask. xx
Thank you Ruby for your kindness in responding to me and yes, this is helpful. I do as much research as I am able, but am hampered by Glaucoma and cataracts at the moment. This translates into I can only read print for short bursts because the letters start to blur into one moving black line. So slowly I will get there. I have been watching Sanjay Gupta's blog on YouTube regarding Magnesium in its various forms and this is quite illuminating. You may have seen this yourself but if not it is worth finding and watching. He is a Heart Specialist at York Hospital and mainly talks about protecting the heart but this can translate also into what we are looking for as well. I have the balance of calcium and D3 as you mention above. I am looking at K1 and 2 as one capsule and will check the price at Holland and Barrett plus Zinc. The Magnesium Taurate I take come in 180mg capsules and are expensive so to get to 500mg I would have to take 3 a day so I am looking to find another source in hopefully the right format. I have lost 3" in height (which was a big shock) and also my neck is now curved as a hump. It is unfortunate that my last surgery missed all the pointers 1) I was due a 5 year DEXA scan 3 years ago and they missed that 2) constant visits to them complaining of sciatica which was getting worse and worse until I was no longer able to walk 3) I was obviously walking with a stoop which was finally noticed by a lady GP who sent me for a DEXA scan last January. The rest is now history. Had they acted earlier I believe the outcome would have been different. Even after diagnosis I was not referred to a Rheumatologist or a PHysio. My new surgery (100 miles away) sent urgent requests for my medical records and all scans over 3 months ago but they only came through last week. Now they can act but it is all lost time. But I must put all this aside and concentrate on getting the help I need now and also looking outside the NHS to find supplements to help myself. So thank you again for sharing which has been very helpful to me.
Regards, Lizzie
Just read this after replying to your earlier post Ruby. I had an emergency Hysterectomy at 34 and also went into early menopause. At 43 I was put on HRT patches which I found really beneficial and enjoyed a hard working long hours career until I was abruptly taken off it at the same surgery mentioned in my reply at the age of 60. Now 66 I have been in decline since then. At 58 I had a DEXA scan which revealed some osteopenia and also osteoporosis with my hips being the worse. I changed my diet to include a lot of oily fish (and bones) which I continue to this day. At that point I was offered Alendric Acid but, like you, refused it. However, no other advice was offered at that time. It seems if you refuse AA, they don't want to know you afterwards. I wish I had looked into alternatives then but the information in its present form did not seem to be around for me to find. I strongly believe HRT helped my bones but now they say research does not support this as previously thought. Just another example of reverse on health dictats I fear. No wonder we become confused!
I will look into the above with interest and if I find anything helpful will share back. Thank you again for your time and information. You are a Blessing
Lizzie
Hello Ruby, I have found your posts very interesting and helpful. I am 67 and was diagnosed with osteopenia in 2012 and osteoporosis earlier this year. I was initally put on Vitamin D3 which was then changed to Adcal-D3. I was also prescribed Alendronic Acid but, like you, decided not to take it and a recent visit to the dentist confirmed I had made the right decision as if I needed any extractions it could cause horrendous damage to my jaw. I have been looking for natural remedies and now I have a lot to look at, thank you. I also have osteoarthritis in my spine, neck and both knees (hips OK at the moment!) so getting about isn't so easy but I try to walk as much as I can and swim quite a lot. My Mum had all of the above plus spinal stenosis which made everything very hard for her, I would like to avoid this if its possible. Thanks again to you and Elizabeth for all the information. Janis.
You are welcome Lizzie. Maybe you can get someone to read for you, I hope you have someone who can to help you.
Your welcome Janis, look at diet as well, plenty of fresh vegetables are reccomended, but apparantly not dairy products, i love all dairy so i can summise this has not helped me.
That sounds really odd as I've always associated dairy products with calcium. Oh dear, now I'm really sad as I LOVE cheese!!
So do I, don't despair, you need to investigate and research this yourself to decide. x
You can private message links. Click on the little envelope below the person's name and you will go to a page where you can send a private message.
Links to other pages in Patient are automatically approved, and there are other medical sites which go to moderation which are often approved. But if you want to make sure a person gets a particular link, best to private message.
Interesting thread. I would like to suggest that people do the natural thing even if they are taking OP meds, as no harm comes from giving your bones what they need to be healthy!
It sounds like you are doing very well with your supplements. Don't overdo the supplements though, make sure you get what you need from your diet. The ones you listed above, with the exception of copper and zinc, are often ones we do need to supplement. I think it's very hard to balance copper and zinc properly as we need such a tiny amount, and after you finish your current bottle you may want to check your diet and see whether you are already getting enough from your food.
We get a lot of calcium from a balanced diet. The problem with dairy is that it is an animal product and too much animal protein gives us too much phosphorus and that leads to bone thinning, which is why we must not rely on dairy too much, but find other sources.
The bones in tinned sardines and salmon are good, and there are many plant sources, some of which are more bioavailable than others, so do your homework. Kale, collards and broccoliaree supposed to be good, some of the other leafy greens like spinach and chard not so much.
Appropriate exercise also stimulates the bones to get stronger, so walk if you can, take up other activities like Nordic walking, tai chi, whatever gently challenges your bones. And, if you can, go to a clinic or consult a physiotherapist who will teach you strategies for avoiding falls, and ways to protect your spine.
A friend of mine saw a herbalist and he recommended oat straw. I haven't tried that yet myself. This friend went the natural route, moved her DXA scan reading from osteoporosis to osteopenia and continues to improve! She is my inspiration.
I have been told that dairy in moderation is fine, butter has made a comeback (not the demon it has been made out to be) and that 'natural' dairy products are better for us than the man-made alternatives. If you look at some of the spreads on the market and the little 'extras' in them to make them spreadable from fridge the infills are not good for us. Dairy may not help us with our bone density problems but still can be included and enjoyed in our diet in moderation. Oily fish (with the bones as in tinned salmon) should be included as at least 5 portions weekly. I tend to make that work for me at lunchtime by having pichards or sardines on toast, tuna in sunflower oil (part drained) with cucumber with skin on, lettuce and avocado. salmon with a spoon of creme fraiche. salad bits and a squeeze of lemon etc etc. You can come up with your own ideas to accommodate oily fish alongside other healthy options. Leafy green vegetables in all forms are excellent as well. For anyone still working these foods are easily put together as packed lunches. I believe there is so much more information out there for us to find and you are very good at finding it. I'm afraid I live alone so do not have anyone to read for me but today suddenly thought that I can print these pages and choose extra large print so that I can read for longer periods of time. I would not have thought of this Ruby other than your comment made me think outside the box. Thank you!
Hi Anhaga
You give so much useful information and I remember you guided me to one or two links via pm in the past. All that was on my last laptop which suddenly died on me and the hard drive was 'fried'. I did however remember the diet advice you gave (as you will see in my post to Ruby (and hopefully Janish will read). I am amazed to read that your friend has accomplished getting her scan readings back to Osteopenia and it just goes to show that if we all pool information how much help we receive on this forum. I am to be referred to a Physio soon and will definitely ask her to teach the strategies to avoid falls and how to protect what is left of my spine (ha ha). There is always a ray of Hope somewhere 
Regards
Lizzie
I get the impression that taking/eating loads of calcium is not the answer to osteoporosis. I did read that strangely the countries where people eat the most dairy foods are also the ones with the most osteoporosis. Eg northern europe and US have much more than Japan and parts of Africa where dairy food is eaten less. There must be something a lot more complex going on. (Wish I knew what it was!)
Hi Janish
This thread is becoming more than interesting = Please read my return posts to Ruby and I know from past experience that Anhaga also has a wealth of good information to share. As Anhaga says, her friend is inspirational and as this info is shared between us all....may we all be "Inspired" !
Elizabeth, surely all your conversations on Patient, and messages, still exist as they are part of Patient, not your computer? I know that I can still see a pm to you when I go to my messages list. Of course your bookmarks are gone, sadly. But then that makes room for new stuff!