Let’s talk about bones. . . about types of calcium to build bones. . . about medications used in osteoporosis.

Bones are constantly breaking down bone cells and building new ones (called remodeling).  How does calcium fit in here?  Which medications might be helpful (or harmful)?

Americans take more calcium supplements than any other group on the planet – and we have one of the highest rates of osteoporosis.  Why?

Calcium is only one of many different components necessary to help build and maintain strong bones.  The calcium in your bones accounts for approximately 20% of the entire makeup of bone. That’s it.  The other 80% contains phosphorus, zinc, magnesium and many other minerals, as well as collagen protein.  This is a big part of the reason that taking calcium supplements alone is not the answer.  Taking calcium alone would be like trying to bake a cake with only one ingredient or building a car using only steel. 

There is a calcium based supplement called MCHC (microcrystalline hydroxyapatite) that contains all the elements of bone building that can serve a more effective role in maintaining bone health.  Learn more here. . . 

The medications used to treat osteoporosis have significant drawbacks as clearly defined by the FDA.  They prevent bone breakdown, but do not build new bone.  Old bone becomes brittle and can spontaneously fracture – particularly the jaw and the thighbone and hip.  One in particular has severe potential risks: Prolia.  The FDA’s Division of Epidemiology listed nine “adverse events of special interest” before Prolia’s approval, including:

• Osteonecrosis of the jaw (destruction of jaw bone tissue)

• Atypical fracture

• Fracture healing complications

• Low calcium levels

• Infections (adversely affects the immune system)

• Acute pancreatitis 

• New primary malignancy.  Learn more about this here . . .

What to do?  Learn more.  Ask an RN Patient Advocate to teach you about bones:  how they grow, why they decay, all the different approaches.  Then decide what is best for you.