Osteoporosis

In late 2011 was given a diagnosis of osteoporosis and osteopenia and offered monthly bisphosphonate injections by my then GP to increase calcium uptake to my bones.

It’s no coincidence that the GP was concerned about my bone health as I was about to embark upon a gruelling 25 round programme of radiotherapy early in 2012 following a second breast cancer episode.

Knowing what I know now, I would never have agreed to the radiotherapy treatment. However, like many others I was scared and led like a lamb to the slaughter.

Not only was the treatment unnecessary (I was encouraged to sign up as a ‘belt and braces’ precaution they said), it harmed my body so much that I’ve endured six broken ribs and four fractured vertebrae since.

How do I know the harm was caused by radiotherapy?

Because the exact location of the treatment is where my bones were broken, and nurses told me this may happen. Coincidence? I think not.

When the body is measured up for radiotherapy, tattoo marks at the precise locations where the machine needs to line up are etched into the skin. I have three small black dots as a reminder of that episode in my life.

After some research I declined the injections thankfully (the long-term side effects are not good) and have since trained as a nutritionist. 

I’ve even guided some doctors who receive no training in how osteoporosis may be avoided and even reversed as in my own case.

What are Bisphosphonates?

Bisphosphonates are a class of drugs commonly used to treat conditions related to bone loss, such as osteoporosis and Paget's disease. 

While they can provide several benefits, it's important to be aware of potential side effects, both short-term and long-term. 

Keep in mind that individual responses to medications can vary, and it's crucial to consult with a healthcare professional for personalized advice. 

Here are some potential benefits and long-term negative side effects of bisphosphonate injections in relation to bone health:

Benefits:

1. Increased Bone Density: Bisphosphonates can help increase bone density and reduce the risk of fractures by inhibiting the activity of cells called osteoclasts, which break down bone tissue.

2. Fracture Prevention: By strengthening bones, bisphosphonates can help prevent fractures, particularly in postmenopausal women and older adults at risk of osteoporosis-related fractures.

3. Treatment of Paget's Disease: Bisphosphonates are often used to treat Paget's disease, a condition characterized by abnormal bone remodeling.

4. Pain Relief: For individuals with bone pain associated with conditions like Paget's disease, bisphosphonates may provide pain relief by stabilizing bone turnover.

Long-Term Negative Side Effects:

1. Atypical Femur Fractures (AFF): Long-term use of bisphosphonates has been associated with an increased risk of atypical femur fractures. These fractures can occur with minimal or no trauma and may have unusual fracture patterns.

2. Osteonecrosis of the Jaw (ONJ): There have been reports of bisphosphonates being associated with osteonecrosis of the jaw, a condition where the jawbone does not receive enough blood and begins to die. This is more commonly associated with high-dose intravenous bisphosphonate therapy, often used in cancer patients.

3. Esophageal Irritation: Bisphosphonates are typically taken with a full glass of water on an empty stomach, and patients are advised to remain upright for a certain period. This is to reduce the risk of esophageal irritation, as these medications can cause inflammation of the esophagus.

Long-Term Safety Concerns: 

There are ongoing debates and research regarding the long-term safety of bisphosphonate use, especially beyond five years. 

Some studies have suggested potential concerns related to atypical fractures, but the overall benefit-risk balance is still a topic of investigation.

Prolonged use of bisphosphonates has been associated with renal impairment, particularly in individuals with pre-existing kidney conditions.

So all in all it's a good job that I cured myself of a kidney disease I was born with, otherwise I would be in deeper poo by now!

Your Body Needs Minerals to Function Effectively

We are conditioned from an early age to believe that calcium from dairy produce is a good thing to build our bones. 

However, dairy produce is acidic and should never be consumed by anyone with a cancer diagnosis in my humble opinion because an acidic environment within the cells can encourage cancer to proliferate.

I remember the revolting warm ‘free’ milk we were given at school and have avoided milk since. Even the thought of it makes me want to wretch!

My training in how the body balances minerals has been fascinating, and I am learning more each day as new information and research comes to light and recently learned more about Boron which used to be plentiful in the soil.

What is Boron?

Boron is a chemical element with the symbol B and atomic number 5. It is a metalloid, which means it has properties of both metals and non-metals. Boron is found in nature primarily and helpful for plant growth in the form of borate minerals, but it can also be produced synthetically.

This article on PubMed from an original study published in Integrative Medicine – a Clinician’s Journal talks about the importance and benefits of taking Boron for health.

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4712861/

Over 20 years ago I was first introduced to Hair Tissue Mineral Analysis (HTMA) where I noted that my level of Boron was high.

Today, soil is so depleted of natural minerals that even organic produce is nowhere near as nutritious as it used to be.

For example, to receive the same level of nutrition from one tomato in the 1950s one would now need to consume around nine tomatoes I read somewhere recently.

This extract from the research publication illustrates just one of the many benefits from taking Boron.....

“In the severe OA group, average pain reduction was 47.9% at 4 weeks and 64.5% at 8 weeks. In the first 4 weeks, 40% of subjects with severe OA reduced or eliminated their analgesic (ibuprofen) use. By week 8, 75% had quit using their NSAID medication (ibuprofen). Joint rigidity disappeared in one-half of the severe OA patients in the first 4 weeks. In the remaining one-half, joint rigidity decreased significantly, an average rigidity reduction of 50%. Mobility and flexibility were significantly improved in 50% of severe OA subjects at 4 weeks and in 62.5% at 8 weeks”.

Other examples cited in the study include: -

(1) is essential for the growth and maintenance of bone;

(2) greatly improves wound healing;

(3) beneficially impacts the body’s use of estrogen, testosterone, and vitamin D;

(4) boosts magnesium absorption;

(5) reduces levels of inflammatory biomarkers, such as hs-CRP and TNF-α;

(6) raises levels of antioxidant enzymes, such as SOD, catalase, and glutathione peroxidase;

(7) protects against pesticide-induced oxidative stress and heavy-metal toxicity;

(8) improves brain electrical activity, cognitive performance, and short-term memory in elders;

(9) influences the formation and activity of key biomolecules, such as SAM-e and NAD+;

(10) has demonstrated preventive and therapeutic effects in a number of cancers, such as prostate, cervical, and lung cancers and multiple and non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma; and

(11) may help ameliorate the adverse effects of traditional chemotherapeutic agents.

Personally, I take 6mg of boron daily which was recommended to me during my biohacking training. I also include weight-bearing exercise such as playing badminton, pickleball and I am practicing chair and wall Pilates to support my bone health.

The following foods contain boron which may also help to improve your bone health: -

Chemical Analysis of Boron Content (mg/100 g) in the Top 10 Foods

Food mg/100 g

Avocado 1.43

Peanut butter 0.59

Peanuts, dry 0.58

Prune juice 0.56

Chocolate powder 0.43

Red wine 0.36

Granola-raisin cereal 0.36

Grape juice 0.34

Pecans 0.26

Raisin bran 0.26

Note: Adapted Meacham et al.

Meacham S, Karakas S, Wallace A, Altun F. Boron in human health: evidence for dietary recommendations and public policies. Open Miner Process J. 2010;3(1):36-53. [Google Scholar]

Please don’t waste your money on supplementation which could be making your situation worse. If you want to know how to assess your mineral levels and correct any imbalances, please get in touch.

Elaine Godley MBA, O.A. Dip (Psych) is a multi-award winning DISCPlus Health and Wellbeing Mentor living in The Algarve, Portugal

[email protected] What’s App 0044 7934 898 722

Elaine hosts the Perfect Health HUB – an online membership portal and health networking support fellowship with free Telegram and Facebook groups.