| |
 |
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Additional Information
|
|
|
| |
| Subscribe to our E-mail Newsletter and receive health-related information and special offers. |
|
|
|
Osteoporosis: Perspective from the Pharmacy
By Baylor Rice, R.Ph. and William L. Musick
Osteoporosis is one of the most common chronic conditions affecting women today. Data shows that 15% of women age 50-59 and 70% of women over age 80 suffer from this disease that weakens bones. Quality of life diminishes as bone and joint pain, and eventually fractures, limit mobility. Well over $10 million will be spent this year on medical care associated with osteoporosis in the U.S. alone.
Diet and exercise are factors
The Western diet is very much to blame, as over-consumption of protein, alcohol, caffeine, and phosphorus (in soda beverages) have all been implicated in the prevalence of osteoporosis. There is a complex interplay between calcium stores in the bones and levels of calcium phosphorus and vitamin D in the blood. Optimum bone strength is maintained when daily calcium to phosphorus intake is a 1:1 ratio. The typical diet does not meet this standard. We have also long known the positive benefits of weight-bearing exercise on bone health, such as lifting weights, walking or jogging.
Supplementation may help
Many think that drinking milk is the answer. However, the skeleton is much, much more than some calcium impregnated support system for the body. In fact, bone is a living tissue. It is composed of proteins (mainly collagen), minerals (calcium and magnesium) and trace elements (such as copper, manganese and boron). Why not give the body plenty of everything it needs to build and maintain bone health, rather than just calcium? There is a great body of literature supporting the role of microcrystalline hydroyxapatite concentrate, or MCHC (the physiologic, calcium-containing building block of bone) supplementation in the treatment and prevention of osteoporosis. In addition to calcium, MCHC contains highly absorbable magnesium, boron, zinc and proteins necessary for making new bone. Recent studies suggest a positive correlation between vitamin K (in dark-green leafy vegetables) and bone health. Soy isoflavones have also been shown to be beneficial.
Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) affects bone density
There is undeniable evidence that HRT can stop and even reverse osteoporosis in combination with dietary supplementation. Cells responsible for the breakdown of bone to release free calcium into the blood and those cells responsible for laying down new bone are constantly at work in the body, primarily under hormonal control. After menopause, the sub-optimal levels of both estrogen and progesterone are necessary to turn the tables.
What about the side effects of HRT as publicized by the Women's Health Initiative study in June of 2002? It's not new knowledge that estrogens combined with synthetic progestins negate any cardiovascular benefit, or that hormone supplementation can increase the risk for breast cancer. The answer may be found with customized hormone replacement. We are now able to make a custom product that supplies your body with the very same hormones it is used to seeing at physiologic levels without the side effects associated with synthetic HRT.
In the end, the fight against osteoporosis is not as simple as just giving the body a little extra calcium here and there. We must give the body all the bulding blocks, remove the negative influences and bring the body back into homeostasis.
Baylor Rice, R.Ph. consults on supplementation, general wellness and customized hormone replacement. William Musick is a Pharm.D. candidate from University of Kentuckyh College of Pharmacy.
|
|
|
|
|
|
 |
South River
Compounding Pharmacy
Southside: 2300 Robious Station Circle, Midlothian, VA 23113
West End: 3656 Mayland Court, Richmond, VA 23233
Serving the Greater Richmond, Virginia area, including
Chesterfield, VA, Hanover, Henrico, Powhatan |
|
|