Dr. Rodger Murphree's Health News

Helping Others Help Themselves

Health News - May 2007

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Osteoporosis

(Part Two of a Two Part Series)

This is part two of a two part series on osteoporosis. While I don’t agree with the propaganda associated with osteoporosis, especially that every perimenopause and postmenopausal woman needs to be taking bisphosphanates (Fosamax, Actonel, Boniva), osteoporosis is an all-too-common condition that can be life-threatening for many  elderly Americans. However, the majority of osteoporosis cases could have been prevented. This disease is similar in nature to so many other “Western diseases,” all associated with poor nutrition and health-robbing lifestyles. Bone is a living tissue that is constantly being broken down and rebuilt. Bone health is dependent on routine weight-bearing exercise, healthy habits (no smoking, moderate alcohol, caffeine, and sugar consumption, etc.) and an intricate interplay of over a dozen nutrients.

Children raised on a diet of Fruit Loops, “Lunchables,” soft drinks, and “Happy Meals,” don’t get the essential nutrients needed for optimal health. Few 12 to 19 year-olds consume the recommended amounts of certain nutrients. Adolescent girls consume only 14% of the Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA) for calcium, 31% of vitamin A, and only 18% of the RDA for magnesium. Adolescent boys aren’t much better. Children consuming a typical nutrient-deficient Western diet are setting the stage for the onset of osteoporosis.

Soft drinks now make up one third of an adolescent’s daily beverage intake. This depletes bone-building calcium. Ninth and tenth grade girls who drink sodas have three times the risk of bone fractures compared with those who don’t drink carbonated beverages.

Fifty-six percent of 8-year-olds down soft drinks daily, and a third of teenage boys consume three or more cans of soda a day. The average teenager is getting 20 teaspoons of sugar a day from soft drinks alone.  Teenage boys get 44% of their 34 teaspoons of sugar a day from soft drinks. Teenage girls get 40% of their 24 teaspoons of sugar from soft drinks. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) recommends that people eating 2,200 calories a day not eat more than 12 teaspoons a day of refined sugar. Sugar consumption upsets the natural homeostasis of calcium and phosphorus in the blood. Normally, these minerals exist in a precise ratio of ten to four. The excess serum calcium, which comes from the bones and teeth, cannot be fully utilized because phosphorus levels are too low. Calcium is excreted in the urine or stored in abnormal deposits such as kidney stones and gallstones. High fructose corn syrup, which is the predominate sugar in soft drinks, inhibits copper metabolism. A deficiency in copper leads to bone fragility, as well as many other unwanted health conditions. Other research suggests that high fructose corn syrup, which has climbed from zero consumption in 1966 to 62.6 pounds per person in 2001, alters the magnesium balance in the body, which in turn accelerates bone loss. An optimal level of magnesium, which helps with calcium absorption, is essential for bone formation. Studies have found that magnesium deficiency is associated with osteoporosis and bone fragility. An adequate magnesium intake results in increased bone mineral density.

The latest government study shows a staggering 68% of Americans do not consume the recommended daily intake of magnesium. Even more frightening are data from this study showing that 19% of Americans do not consume even half of the government’s recommended daily intake of magnesium.

In contrast to the normal nutrient-depleted “Western Diet,” research shows that consumption of fruits and vegetables, especially dark green leafy vegetables, offer considerable protection from osteoporosis. These foods are a rich source of bone-building vitamins and minerals and include calcium, magnesium, boron, and vitamin K. Vitamin K helps facilitate the production of osteocalcin, the major non-collagan protein in bone. Osteocalcin keeps calcium molecules anchored within bone. Boron supplementation has been shown to reduce urinary calcium excretion by 44 percent. It’s also required to activate certain important bone building hormones like vitamin D and 17-beta-estradiol, the most active form of estrogen.

Of course, most kids won’t go near a green leafy vegetable. And adults aren’t much better. Less than 10 percent of Americans eat the minimum recommendation of two fruits and vegetables a day. And worse, only 51 percent eat at least one vegetable a day.

So unfortunately, most folks are setting themselves up for trouble.

Calcium intake is the cornerstone for osteoporosis prevention.

Several studies have shown that calcium can reduce bone loss and suppress bone turnover. Calcium supplementation alone doesn’t halt bone loss completely but does reduce calcium excretion by 30-50 percent. One study shows that postmenopausal women taking one gram of elemental calcium were four and half times less likely to fracture than those on placebo.

The absorption of calcium is dependant on stomach acid for ionization. Because gastric acid facilitates the absorption of insoluble ingested calcium, stomach acid reducing drugs including Tums, Zantac, Nexium, Pepcid, Prilosec, and Tagament increase the risk of bone loss.

The hypochlorhydria (low stomach acid) produced by these drugs leads to decreased calcium absorption, thereby increasing bone loss and fracture risk. Similarly, proton pump inhibiting drugs (PPIs), like Prevacid, increase the risk of hip fracture. Studies show the risk of hip fracture is directly related to the duration of PPI use, ranging from 22% for 1 year of use to 59% for 4 years of use, relative to nonuse.

You should know that corticosteroids, and most diuretics (Lasix, Dyazide, Maxzide, and others) also deplete calcium.

Until recently, hormone replacement therapy was considered the best way to prevent bone loss and osteoporosis. And true, several studies have shown that estrogen replacement therapy can reduce bone loss and reduce the risk of fracture. However, the benefits have to be weighed against recent evidence linking conventional estrogen replacement therapy to increased risk of breast cancer, stroke, heart attack, and blood clots.

Another, certainly safer, option is to use phytoestrogens. Phytoestrogens are estrogen-like compounds found in certain foods including fennel, celery, soy, nuts, whole grains, apples, and alfalfa. A semi-synthetic isoflavanoid, known as ipriflavone, is similar in structure to soy and has been approved for osteoporosis prevention in Japan, Hungary, and Italy. Studies show that ipriflavone, now available as a supplement in the U.S., increases bone density in individuals with osteoporosis.

Several studies show that progesterone stimulates proliferation of bone building osteoblast cells. But, like synthetic estrogen, progestins (synthetic progesterone) are associated with numerous potentially dangerous side effects.

A natural over-the-counter form of progesterone can be made from wild yams. Based on the pioneering work of John Lee, M.D., compounded progesterone cream has been safely used by thousands of women to reduce or prevent menopause symptoms - and to reverse osteoporosis.

Vitamin D, a hormone-like substance, is crucial for the absorption of calcium. The skin makes Vitamin D after exposure to sunlight or ultraviolet radiation, and vitamin D deficiency is widespread throughout the United States. In the winter, vitamin D levels often plummet. Less than 10% of adults 50 to 70 years old, and only about 2% of people over 70, were found to be getting the recommended amounts of vitamin D from food. Even when supplements were added into consideration, still only about 30% of people aged 50 to 70, and 10% of those over 70 were reaching the recommended vitamin D intake.

Individuals who wish to avoid osteoporosis would be wise eat more fruits and vegetables, maintain a consistent exercise program, avoid sodas, avoid health robbing habits (smoking, excess alcohol and sugar), and take a good optimal daily allowance multivitamin. Those females who want to reverse bone loss should take in addition to their multivitamin, extra calcium, magnesium, vitamin D, and one or more of ancillary treatments mentioned above (ipriflavone and natural progesterone).

But, we need to realize good health doesn’t come from a pill bottle, but from daily dietary choices made over a lifetime. I think I’ll have a green leafy salad with dinner tonight, how about you?

DR. MURPHREE'S RECOMMENDED SUPPLEMENTS FOR OSTEO PROBLEMS

CALCIUM CITRATE-MALATE

PROGESTERONE CREAM

HIGH DOSE VITAMIN D

DYNACAL - An Extra strength natural calcium magnesium complex

BONE SUPPORT FORMULA - A great source of Calcium, Phosphorus, and Protein

About Dr. Murphree

Dr. Murphree is a board-certified nutritional specialist and chiropractic physician who has been in private practice since 1990. He is the founder and past clinic director for a large integrated medical practice located on the campus of Brookwood Hospital in Birmingham Alabama. The clinic was staffed with medical doctors, chiropractors, acupuncturists, nutritionists, and massage therapists. He is the author of five books for patients and doctors, including Heart Disease: What Your Doctor Won't Tell You; Treating and Beating Anxiety and Depression with Orthomolecular Medicine; and Treating and Beating Fibromyalgia and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome.

He can be reached at 1-888-884-9577 (toll free), or at 205-879-2383, or by email: DrRodgerm@yahoo.com

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Don't forget that I have a special brain function questionnaire available online to help you see if you are low in certain brain chemicals (neurotransmitters). This short questionnaire shows you which neurochemical group you belong to and how to improve any symptoms you are experiencing.

In the past, I have worked with doctors who used prescription medicine. Many times, it only created a never-ending cycle of dealing with side effects and treating the side effects with more prescripions–and on and on. And here's a very interesting fact that The American College of Rheumatology states on their website concerning a 15-year study: "Conventional medical therapies are ineffective and no better than a sugar pill for the treatment of fibromyalgia." Even after this study, every day we see fibromyalgia patients being asked to take these drugs, some with terrible side effects–especially on the pocket book!

For those suffering with FMS and CFS, read more about correcting the REAL underlying causes here.

Dr. Rodger Murphree,
Corporate Center
2700 Rogers Drive
Suite 204, Homewood, AL 35209

If you have any questions, call us: (Toll-free) 1-888-884-9577

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