What is Worse Than Osteoporosis?

Fosamax, Boniva and other drugs in the same class (bisphosphonates) are promoted in the media as a way to reverse osteoporosis but are yet another pharmaceutical nightmare, despite what the celebrity promoters on TV say.*

Adverse effects include: ulcerations of the mucus membranes, esophageal cancer, osteonecrosis (bone death) of the jaw, bone pain, atypical fractures,  flu-like reactions, and permanently brittle bones.

Bone tissue undergoes constant turnover, continually maintaining a balance of breaking down and rebuilding, in order to keep the bone tissue new and healthy. As hormone levels decrease, particularly in women, the balance shifts to favor breakdown and the net effect is a decline in bone mineral density.

Big pharma puts a clever spin on their marketing of bisphosphonates by claiming that they slow bone breakdown, alluding to an effect of preservation of bone mass and resultant reduction in fractures. That is indeed the mechanism of action, but unfortunately it is not a good one. Old bone is supposed to break down to make room for new bone.

So it is easy to deduce that interfering with normal bone remodeling will lead to trouble. The treatment is an example of transiently manipulating lab values, in this case, a higher measurable bone mineral density. The problem is that these values indicate a higher density of old bone, which is unhealthy, weak, brittle bone. And the mutations can be permanent. To make matters worse - the bisphosphonates are now available in once yearly injections - so that they cannot be cleared from the body if/when severe side effects occur, so they proceed unchecked.

Osteoporosis is a serious, painful, and potentially life threatening condition, especially in genetically susceptible women, that needs to be addressed - but bisphosphonates are not the solution. (1,2) The only effective ways to address this condition are via a balanced intake of nutrients, exercise, and, in some women, "bioidentical" hormone therapy (NOT Premarin).  Calcium on its own is not effective, and can result in calcification of the arteries.



(1) Otto S et al. Osteoporosis and bisphosphates-related osteonecrosis of the jaw: Not just a sporadic coincidence - a multi-centre study. Journal of Craniomaxillofacial Surgery. 2010.

(2) Isaacs JD et al. Femoral insufficiency fractures associated with prolonged bisphosphanate therapy. Clinical Orthopaedics and Related Research. 2010.

*This post is not intended as medical advice. Please consult with your personal physician if you are concerned about your condition.  This information is also not intended for those taking Zometa or similar drugs for the treatment of bone cancers.