FACTS ABOUT OSTEOPOROSIS
- National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin disease (NIAMS), 1999
- 10 million Americans are affected with osteoporosis.
- 18 million people are at risk for developing osteoporosis.
- Osteoporosis’ cost to health care is $15-20 billion a year.
- 80% of the populations with Osteoporosis are women.
- 1 in 2 women and 1 in 8 men 50 yrs. and over will have osteoporosis related fractures.
- Osteoporosis is responsible for more than 1.5 million fractures annually.
What is a T-score?
BMD (Bone Mineral Density Measurement) is commonly reported in terms of T-score, which is equivalent to the number of standard deviations below a reference population of young healthy adults. The T-score has also been used to define osteoporosis. For example, based on the increasing risk of fracture with decreasing bone mass, the WHO report defined diagnostic categories based on BMD measurements as follows:
Normal: T-score above -1.
Osteopenia: T-score between -1 and -2.5
Osteoporosis: T-score at or below -2.5
These are the specific Steps YOU should consider….
Step 1: Get a Bone Reabsorption test. If you have not had this test done by your doctor and you have been given a diagnosis of osteoporosis, then get yourself a NEW doctor. This is a MUST TEST. It is by far more informative than a Bone density test. Both a Bone Density and the Bone Reabsorption are important. Bone Density tells the”long-range” and is a guide or measuring stick. Bone Reabsorption is repeated time and again to measure how successful a specific treatment is or is not- it is current and up to date.
Step 2: Something to consider when to take supplementation is that it made very little sense to suggest taking calcium for EVERY person. Calcium is NOT the only important mineral found in bone. Other essential minerals in bone are magnesium, manganese, boron to name a few. Why are these ‘essential minerals’ being ignored? One can assume… that if you are calcium deficient- then the likelihood of being deficient in other essential minerals is- very likely and that needs to be accessed. There is a “gold” standard of mineral tests which is a blood test that measures the RBC levels of one’s essential minerals.
Step 3: A look at female hormones in an important part of this testing. You have to look at levels of estrogen, progesterone and testosterone. The “blind” usage of HRT without proper testing can be dangerous, just look at all the news on the dangers of estrogen. It is essential that you are tested so you know your exact level of estrogen, progesterone and testosteronebefore taking any form of HRT- no exceptions.
To summarize you must know the results from the tests…
-bone reabsorption
-mineral test
-hormone test
Before you can create a program that would really benefit you on an integrative approach- an alternative and integrative medicine solution here are some
recommendations:
Step 1) Increased intake of spring or filtered water (NO DISTILLED).
Step 2) depending on hormone level depletion, look for the precursor to the production pathways of progesterone and estrogen- Pregnenolone. It has been well documented to improve progesterone and estrogen levels without the harmful side effects associated with estrogen.
Step 3) depending on what minerals are deficient… take only what is needed. Taking extra calcium is not necessarily the answer and could be harmful.
Step 4) Light weight bearing exercise.
Step 5) clean your diet up and eat lean protein: chicken, turkey, fish, eggs (No dairy), at least 2-3 serving of vegetables and acceptable starch such as sweet potato, brown rice, non-yeast bread..
Monitor your result and find a physician who gets it!!! One suggestion is to find a LifeStyle Health-Wellness Strategist, someone who can mentor and coach you in Alternative & Integrative Medicine Solutions and to a health you and patient specific… the unique you and your unique needs.
Below is a list of references that a Dr Grisanti found while treating her mother successfully. Let your physician review it. According to Dr Grisanti the literature says it all and using this approach works.
Dr Grisanti states… “The following are just a sampling of the abundant medical citations documenting the above guideline. No physician can deny the existence of these findings and most certainly no physician in his right mind would discard what is considered the essence of clinical practice, and that is medical peer-reviewed research”. Any physician who would take the time to review the following citation at the National Library of Medicine…http://www.ncbi.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi
Source: http://www.clinical-rounds.com/osteoporosis.html
Comments: I have read and was very impressed with Dr Grisanti article that cited her mother’s diagnosis. I found her article that gave the above outline applicable to many, yet as Dr Grisanti state the plan approach for treatment is very indivualistic and patient specific. If I can be of any assistance to you please feel free to contact me. I am offering this month a 30 minute FREE consult with no obligation. Email me at drpat@patriciab.com . Normal charges apply after the 30 minutes. I am mentor and coach. I am LifeStyle Health –Wellness Strategist helping you achieve your optimum health.
Thank You.
Dr Pat
