Menopause Matters Forum

Menopause Discussion => Alternative Therapies => Topic started by: robotwars on August 25, 2023, 08:20:35 AM

Title: Bone health
Post by: robotwars on August 25, 2023, 08:20:35 AM
Hi 👋 I’ve stopped taking hrt due to side effects after many years of trying, I’m still using vagifem and ovestin cream, but now I’m wondering if I need to take a supplement for my bone health, does anyone else take anything, just not sure what to get?
Title: Re: Bone health
Post by: CLKD on August 25, 2023, 08:59:22 AM
Morning.  How is your exercise regime?   Regular brisk walking: 10. mins daily or more often at weekends : helps impact the long bones so that they regenerate.  Same with the jaw, the more teeth that we own, the better jaw health will be maintained.  Because when we talk, eat etc., it is exercise.

Skipping anyone  :o  ::).  Eating protein, lots of fruits and veg; tinned, frozen or fresh; also helps bone strength.
Title: Re: Bone health
Post by: Limpy on August 25, 2023, 09:51:17 AM
Michael Mosely has commented that prunes and exercise can help improve bone density.  See link below
https://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/dr-michael-mosley-says-bones-27467585
Title: Re: Bone health
Post by: orrla on August 25, 2023, 11:15:54 AM
Calcium! + vit D3.

I get theiCal-D3 1000mg / day prescribed for, despite HRT from 45, I developed Osteopenia, T= -1.8..
Title: Re: Bone health
Post by: Ermin2trude on August 25, 2023, 03:43:32 PM
Research and studies on people with osteoporosis etc show they all have low levels of magnesium and zinc in common. It is now recommended to increase your magnesium and zinc intake to prevent bone issues and not necessarily calcium, although you can throw that in for good measure.
Title: Re: Bone health
Post by: CLKD on August 25, 2023, 03:44:04 PM
Tnx.  We R a mine of info on here ! 
Title: Re: Bone health
Post by: orrla on August 25, 2023, 03:52:04 PM
😯 ..so, why my GP + osteo nurse who did DXA scan prescribed Calcium + D3 to me?

Why NHS guidance is wrong?
Title: Re: Bone health
Post by: Aprilflower on August 25, 2023, 03:56:08 PM
GPs are often behind the loop.  Many, but not all, wait for advisories from whoever.  If you find a good holistic GP, hang on to them.
Title: Re: Bone health
Post by: Aprilflower on August 25, 2023, 03:58:45 PM
Research and studies on people with osteoporosis etc show they all have low levels of magnesium and zinc in common. It is now recommended to increase your magnesium and zinc intake to prevent bone issues and not necessarily calcium, although you can throw that in for good measure.

I think if you include a fair amount of dairy foods, in your diet, it's better than supplements anyway.  I did read somewhere that calcium tablets can cause gallbladder stones.
Title: Re: Bone health
Post by: orrla on August 25, 2023, 04:27:30 PM
yeah, sounds like my GP all right..

But, seriously, it's always good to check who is it who claims what!  ...so, these studies that claim that magnesium and zink..were by whom?

Title: Re: Bone health
Post by: Aprilflower on August 25, 2023, 04:33:17 PM
yeah, sounds like my GP all right..

But, seriously, it's always good to check who is it who claims what!  ...so, these studies that claim that magnesium and zink..were by whom?

I found this one.  It does include calcium also.

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4469220/
Title: Re: Bone health
Post by: Ermin2trude on August 25, 2023, 04:55:11 PM


I think if you include a fair amount of dairy foods, in your diet, it's better than supplements anyway.  I did read somewhere that calcium tablets can cause gallbladder stones.
[/quote]

Research has shown that the more animal proteins we consume, the more calcium we excrete through our urine. Ironically, countries that have the highest calcium intake through animal proteins, also have the highest rate of hip fractures. Consuming calcium through plant proteins, the  loss of calcium in urine is 50% lower.
Title: Re: Bone health
Post by: Aprilflower on August 25, 2023, 05:12:35 PM


Scandinavian countries and northern Europe have the highest rate of hip fractures.  This fits with low vitamin D levels, which is vital to absorb calcium. 
Title: Re: Bone health
Post by: Limpy on August 25, 2023, 05:14:28 PM
The recommended dose of Adcal D3 tablets used to be 2 a day. About 10 ish years ago that was dropped to 1 a day - I think that was down to the gallbladder stones issue.
Title: Re: Bone health
Post by: Limpy on August 25, 2023, 05:23:21 PM
Must admit I'm not convinced as to the efficacy of Calcium and D3 for bones. I had been prescribed Adcal years ago by a Neurologist who felt it would have a beneficial effect on MS/immune system. I still ended up with osteoporosis!
Title: Re: Bone health
Post by: Ermin2trude on August 25, 2023, 05:28:11 PM


Scandinavian countries and northern Europe have the highest rate of hip fractures.  This fits with low vitamin D levels, which is vital to absorb calcium.


Here’s one of the studies relating to calcium and protein intake that I was referring to above.

https://citeseerx.ist.psu.edu/document?repid=rep1&type=pdf&doi=0dbe02a07098a7dd3dad8582f12e6f0be304ca70

I agree that vitamin D is important.
Title: Re: Bone health
Post by: Aprilflower on August 25, 2023, 05:29:59 PM
Limpy, do you think there is a genetic element, in who gets it?

I'm inclined to think most ailments are the result of unfortunate combinations of factors.
Title: Re: Bone health
Post by: orrla on August 25, 2023, 06:03:23 PM
yes, genetics play a big role, that's why I decided on HRT as, at that time, in year 2000, my dr claimed it will protect me against Osteoporosis with all else just an experiment... As my grand mother spent her last five years in bed, for her bones were so badly broken after fall, I went for it.

Now I have Ostopenia.. Ok, it's not fully blown condition but I was shocked with this diagnosis. ..but, apparently, one in two women develop Osteoporosis...and one in five man..so ..we do not know how quickly it progress, nor if eating good stuff improves it at all...for they do not scan just to check..Most cases are diagnosed AFTER fractures!
Title: Re: Bone health
Post by: Aprilflower on August 25, 2023, 06:36:25 PM


Scandinavian countries and northern Europe have the highest rate of hip fractures.  This fits with low vitamin D levels, which is vital to absorb calcium.


Here’s one of the studies relating to calcium and protein intake that I was referring to above.

https://citeseerx.ist.psu.edu/document?repid=rep1&type=pdf&doi=0dbe02a07098a7dd3dad8582f12e6f0be304ca70

I agree that vitamin D is important.

Pretty old paper orria.  Also lot's of contradictory information so not sure what outcome they were after.

The part about elderly Inuits (Eskimo has not been used for a many years) is odd.  Firstly they talk about animal protein but that is unlikely to be dairy.  It would be meat.  Dairy consumption has no history in the Artic and I'm pretty sure Inuit people would be lactose intolerant.  Then they talk about Yugoslavia 🤔, with a high dairy consumption and low fractures.  A bit muddled.
Title: Re: Bone health
Post by: orrla on August 25, 2023, 06:53:32 PM
it wasn't my post!

I make a point of reading only the latest from reliable sources.

About D3 being vital... One gets it from Sun but for it to get into system it must get through the top of one's head. That's why Northerners are D3 deficient, because that's not for lack of sunshine but for an angle at which it shines there..straight in your face, mostly.

Hence, regular Mediterranean holidays make sense!   This, or vit D3 supplement !
Title: Re: Bone health
Post by: Aprilflower on August 25, 2023, 07:01:51 PM
Ah okay, sorry.🫢
Title: Re: Bone health
Post by: orrla on August 25, 2023, 07:05:56 PM
it's ok 😉

Limpy, the clue might be in 'years ago'. Todays products are more efficient.. I choose to believe, at least..
Title: Re: Bone health
Post by: robotwars on August 25, 2023, 09:35:38 PM
Wow thanks for all your replies!!!
Title: Re: Bone health
Post by: Limpy on August 26, 2023, 10:44:00 AM
Limpy, do you think there is a genetic element, in who gets it?

I'm inclined to think most ailments are the result of unfortunate combinations of factors.

Difficult to tell Aprilflower I am the only one in my family who has it. As you say I think it's just the luck of the draw.
Title: Re: Bone health
Post by: jaypo on August 26, 2023, 10:57:38 AM
I have osteopenia and was given the calcium + vit d to take but after doing LOTS of research, I have stopped taking them,build of of unwanted calcium can be dangerous,I mean,GPs give us these supplements without even knowing if we are indeed deficient in them,so I now only take vit d + k ,who knew vitamins could be dangerous,I eat plenty calcium rich foods,do weight bearing exercises and don't take HRT.There's absolutely no osteoporosis in my family just arthritis,which I also have.....oh the joys  ???
Title: Re: Bone health
Post by: Aprilflower on August 26, 2023, 11:53:46 AM
Sounds sensible.

I have read it's the calcium you consume in your teens, which is the most beneficial.  That boats well and truly sailed 😂
Title: Re: Bone health
Post by: jaypo on August 26, 2023, 04:37:12 PM
Yep,aprilflower,it's sailed round the world a few times too  ;D
Title: Re: Bone health
Post by: Limpy on August 27, 2023, 10:34:46 AM
I have osteopenia and was given the calcium + vit d to take but after doing LOTS of research, I have stopped taking them,build of of unwanted calcium can be dangerous,I mean,GPs give us these supplements without even knowing if we are indeed deficient in them,so I now only take vit d + k ,who knew vitamins could be dangerous,I eat plenty calcium rich foods,do weight bearing exercises and don't take HRT.There's absolutely no osteoporosis in my family just arthritis,which I also have.....oh the joys  ???
Funnily enough I'd stopped taking the Adcal last year for the same reason as you. I was taking a a bone complex supplement with had some calacium but also D3, K2. I ended up with a fractured foot (2nd metatarsal) in February just gone. Oh I am also using Denosumab, that has reduced osteopososis to osteopenia but I've been on the stuff for 10 years. Would like to stop it.
Title: Re: Bone health
Post by: jaypo on August 27, 2023, 12:04:23 PM
I've never heard of that (denosumab) Limpy,is it prescription only? I am worried about getting osteoporosis but also worried about heart issues & kidney stones down to the calcium build up  :-\
Title: Re: Bone health
Post by: Limpy on August 27, 2023, 01:54:14 PM
I've never heard of that (denosumab) Limpy,is it prescription only? I am worried about getting osteoporosis but also worried about heart issues & kidney stones down to the calcium build up  :-\
It is actually a twice yearly injection Jaypo, so yes definitely prescription only. I was eventually prescribed it as after I had osteoporosis diagnosed and couldn't tolerate Alendronic Acid in any of it's forms. I had one try of a Zolendronic Acid (once a  year transfusion) that caused problems as well.
Title: Re: Bone health
Post by: jaypo on August 27, 2023, 06:56:12 PM
Ah,I see,thank you  :)