OSTEOPOROSIS AND AMERICAN WOMEN

By “Molly” Amelia Greacen, Registered Acupuncturist

If we look at the larger picture of why U.S. women suffer from the excessive loss of bone density and become prone to fractures, we might discover other reasons than the lack of calcium supplementation or estrogen replacement. Did you know that vegetarians tend to have less osteoporosis than their meat-eating friends? Did you know that most of the world’s population who live in third world rural areas, including China, have very low levels of osteoporosis and consume half the amount of calcium that we do? (The largest percentage of their calcium comes from leafy green vegetables.)

Other factors that negatively impact U.S. women include lack of exercise, excess fat and protein, sugar, carbonated beverages, stress, caffeine, alcohol, smoking, a history of missing periods, hysterectomies, long term use of anticonvulsant medications, cortisone, synthroid medications, digestive problems caused by poor diets and over reliance on antibiotics, genetic predisposition, food depleted of minerals and toxic with chemicals, and progesterone and estrogen deficiency.

To reverse this process and help build bone mass, I recommend 30 minutes of daily walking, 20 minutes of weight training two times per week, natural progesterone cream, a diet high in whole grains, fruit, vegies and beans, and low in animal protein and fat, refined and processed foods and sugar, extra Vitamin C, D, Beta Carotene, 1500 mg. Calcium and Magnesium, Boron, ipriflavone, microcrystalline hydroxyapatite (whole bone matrix), soy protein powder, soy isoflavinoids, and at least one serving daily of dark leafy vegetables and yogurt without sugar.. Two products which are available at health food stores which include microcrystalline hydroxyapatite concentrate and many of the important minerals are “Bio Osteo” (by Molecular Biologics) and “OstoePrime” (Enzymatic Therapy). Nettle, horsetail, oatstraw, comfrey and raspberry tea is an old fashioned tonic for the bones. Chinese herbal prescriptions emphasize Kidney yang tonic herbs which strengthen bones, adrenal hormones and sex hormones, and have been used for over a thousand years.

All women over 50 should have a bone density test in order to find out their current bone density level. A heel test is inexpensive (usually $25) and only takes a few minutes. It is a good way to determine if you need to do further and more accurate testing with the DEXA Xray test. If your bone mass is too low, you need to get on a program to build it back up. Blood or saliva testing can measure your hormone levels (including estradiol, progesterone, and “free” testosterone. You can get your doctor to order a blood test, and get your insurance to cover the cost. Another option is saliva testing, which you can order yourself. (Dr. Christianne Northrup, MD offers her Wisdom Hormone Program for $130. You can call 1-800-705-5559 to order that test.)

For many women, especially postmenopausal women who have low hormone levels and low bone density, supplementing with natural human identical hormones is a good choice for building bone mass. A formula called Bi-estrogen (containing 80 % estriol and 20% estradiol) is available by prescription from your doctor or nurse practitioner. (You do not have to take Premarin or Provera, which have lots of nasty side effects for many women.)
Recommended reading Preventing and Reversing Osteoporosis, by Alan Gaby, MD and Women’s Bodies, Women’s Wisdom, by Christianne Northrup MD..

Molly Greacen, Dipl. Ac., Dipl. C.H. is a Registered Acupuncturist and practices Chinese Herbal Medicine. She has practiced in Boulder for over 18 years. She specializes in women’s health care and gynecology.