Fosamax Linked to Serious Abnormal Bone Fractures & What You Can Do to Prevent Osteoporosis
On March 28, 2008 , the New England Journal of Medicine published a physician group report of 15 women taking Fosamax, who experienced "atypical low-energy fractures," which means that their bones broke doing almost nothing, a serious kind of injury typically seen in the very elderly in declining health. The fact that NEJM is reporting this is a major wake up call to anyone who hasn't figured out yet that Fosamax is dangerous to your health.
NEJM published two previous reports, in 2005 and in 2007, reporting their concern about the safety and efficacy of the biphosphenate category of osteoporosis drugs, like Fosamax. The three studies referenced show that Fosamax wipes out healthy bone function the longer it is taken, resulting in a "low energy" status within the bones, or producing bones so fragile that they break from normal impact, like bumping against the book shelf (real story - broke ribs), or catching yourself on the side of the tub when you slip, (wrist) or a seemingly benign stumble on your morning walk (femur). Although x-rays show an increased whiteness in the bone on Fosamax which ordinarily means a thick and healthy bone, this particular white bone is very, very fragile and upon biopsy shows the bone to be almost devoid of the strong mesh of trabecular tissue.
The FDA is, as usual, a major part of the problem. They never make the drug companies do follow up studies to show that drugs are safe when taken for extended periods of time for a given purpose. And, of course, drug companies never want to do these kinds of studies because they almost always show the drugs are not safe. Fosamax is made by Merck, a company with a rather infamous reputation for defrauding (as in Vytorin) and killing (as in Vioxx). A common theme behind Merck's non-integrous behavior is hiding safety data from both the FDA and the American public, so they can continue to enjoy their billion dollar bottom line.
So why is the government run FDA allowing this to happen? Ask the Bush administration who, as we all know by now regardless of our red or blue status, cares only for Big Business's bottom line. But, many are to blame: The prescribing doctors who read medical journals and know what the biphospenates (i.e. Fosamax) do to trabecular bone; the FDA for looking the other way when it comes to pushing a drug through; the Bush and Clinton administrations who allowed all manner of dangerous drugs to be pushed through; the Congress and, lastly and mostly - Big Pharma. It's an unholy collusion of many, many people, businesses and agencies.
What's the answer? Well, the healthiest patients I have of any age are those patients who take no pharmaceutical drugs. I think that's the answer. Say no to drugs!
What can post-menopausal women do to strengthen their bones? The primary cause of osteoporosis and osteopenia is not a calcium deficiency, but is a condition resulting from years of having an acid pH. So we need to switch your body over time, it doesn't happen in a couple of weeks to a more alkaline state. First of all, get yourself an acid-alkali chart of common foods and eat mostly from the low acid-alkaline side. An example of alkaline foods are fruits and vegetables, blue green algae, mineral water, lentils, pumpkin seeds, avocados, eggs, Kona coffee, apple cider vinegar, spinach, yogurt, millet. Some common acid foods are pork, soy milk, coffee, sugar, beef, walnuts, corn, aspartame.
I have a great chart which shows you all the acid and alkaline foods. Just ask me for one.
See, what the body does in an acid state - and to keep the blood within its very narrow pH range ( AKA, homeostasis) - is steal calcium from the bones to buffer the too-acid blood. Over years and years of robbing the bone piggy bank, the bones become depleted of calcium, start to break down and then you get your scary bone density reading and your doctor tells you that you have a "Fosamax deficiency" and you need to take this pill forever or ELSE!
So, yes, you will need some calcium to replace that which was taken for the higher good, but probably not more than 700 or 800 mgs per day. You will also need vitamin D, which helps get the calcium into the bones. Everyone should know their vitamin D levels: Ask me or your doctor to order you the Vitamin (OH) D hydroxy blood test. Get some good balanced and non-rancid oils: An Omega 3 in the form of fish or flax and maybe some Omega 6's in the form of evening primrose or black current. Magnesium is also good, and some of us may need vitamin K as well. As many of you already know, I can muscle test you for your very own personalized and specific supplements.
Don't forget to exercise, another big deal in keeping your bones healthy. Here's what I do: I walk hard up and down hills several times a week with my Leki hiking poles, maybe 2 to 3 miles each time. So, I get not only lower body but upper body exercise. Then if I want to torture myself some more, I keep some 8 pound weights by the TV and do some curls while I watch House reruns.
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