For the 10 million Americans who suffer from osteoporosis and the 18 million who are considered at risk of developing the condition, their chances of fractures, pain, and possible death are serious concerns. In the US, about 250,000 hip fractures a year are the result of osteoporosis, and 10 to 20 percent of those people die in the next six months.

Ask the woman on the street what she should do to prevent such problems, and most will mention that calcium supplements are the key. Some will also mention vitamin D. However, according to the latest medical research, calcium and vitamin D do not protect against the risk of bone fractures from osteoporosis.

What is the evidence?

Two studies published in the British medical journals Lancet and British Medical Journal indicate that calcium and vitamin D have no role in preventing bone fractures in patients with osteoporosis.

In the first study, when more than 5,300 people over the age of 70 took a dummy pill (ie, a placebo), calcium, vitamin D, or both calcium and vitamin D, the incidence of bone fractures did not differ between groups.

The second study looked at 3,314 women aged 70 and over who were at high risk of hip fracture. Those who took daily calcium and vitamin D did not have a significantly different number of fractures than those who simply received a pamphlet on diet and fall prevention.

What really indicates a risk of broken bones?

If you are concerned about the risk of bone fractures, you should ask your doctor to order a red blood cell mineral test. Keep in mind that bones are made of calcium, phosphorous, magnesium, boron, manganese, and many other minerals. Calcium needs the synergy of all these minerals to maintain its stability. Therefore, a test such as the red blood cell mineral test, which measures the presence of many essential nutrients, is the best way to determine whether or not your body contains the correct balance of ingredients for strong, healthy bones.

My Mom’s Osteoporosis Story

When my mom had her first bone density test at the age of 67, the results were very alarming. She had a T-score of -4.3, which means that she had severe osteoporosis in her hips and spine. The World Health Organization has defined the T-score levels as follows:

* Normal: T score greater than -1.
* Osteopenia: T-score between -1 and -2.5
* Osteoporosis: T score equal to or less than -2.5

I ordered three additional tests on behalf of my mom and the results were as follows:

1. My mother’s bone resorption test was positive, revealing accelerated bone loss.

2. His mineral test revealed a significant deficiency in magnesium and manganese, but his calcium levels were within the normal range.

3. Her female hormone tests revealed low levels of estrogen and progesterone.

Based on this information, this is the exact program I recommended to my mom:

1. You increased your intake of spring or filtered water (not distilled water).

2. I prescribed pregnenolone. Pregnenolone is a precursor to the progesterone and estrogen production pathways and is well documented to enhance progesterone and estrogen levels without the harmful side effects associated with estrogen.

3. I prescribed magnesium and manganese.

4. I recommended light exercises with weights.

5. Your diet would consist of 4-5 small meals per day as follows: 2-3 ounces of a lean protein: chicken, turkey, fish, eggs (no milk or cheese), 1-2 servings of vegetables, and 1/ 2 cup of an approved starch: sweet potato, brown rice, flatbread.

Results: His periodic bone resorption tests revealed a decrease in bone loss. His bone density test revealed a score of -1.2, a 72% improvement. This was a blow to the doctor who was interpreting her results.

How Functional Medicine Helps

My ability to help my mother (and my patients) stems from my knowledge of Functional Medicine, a perspective that uses scientific research to get to the specific cause of an individual’s health problem, rather than prescribing a standard remedy for it. everyone.

If my mother’s test results had been different, my prescription would have been different. Please note that I did not recommend calcium or vitamin D supplements at all. She didn’t need that.

To find a Functional Medicine practitioner near you, consult the free directory at http://www.functionalmedicinedoctors.com.