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From: Ole on 14 Apr 2008 14:33
Follow-up to threads begun on 2/10/08.

Recap: 68 year old male. March 28, 2007 DEXA revealed osteopenia in femurs,
osteoporosis in spine. I opted to try for one year to rebuild bone through
careful diet plus daily monitoring of pH (to prevent acid leaching of
calcium from bones), while supplementing with calcium, magnesium, vitamin D.
I did not want to try Fosamax or the like.

The good news: Following a vegan diet and avoiding excessive protein, and
shooting for a neutral pH (7.0), my averages for eight full months of
diligent morning, afternoon and evening urinary pH readings were: 7.01,
7.01, 6.91.

The bad news: Follow up DEXA taken April 2, 2008. Detailed analysis of the
individual DEXA readings showed continued declines in bone density, both in
the spine and femur. (There were technical problems in the way the second
DEXA was taken and interpreted; I will post separately on that, with more
detail.)

It turns out that I am fighting against a headwind of low testosterone (1.4%
free testosterone, versus normal range of 1.6% to 2.9%). I see no
alternative but to begin testosterone supplementation. I will post
separately on that as well.

I am opening up to medication, and must now try to figure out which one
promises not just an increase in bone mineral density, but a demonstrated
reduction in the risk of fractures with acceptable risk of side effects.

Ole


From: Juhana Harju on 15 Apr 2008 10:36
Ole wrote:
> Follow-up to threads begun on 2/10/08.
>
> Recap: 68 year old male. March 28, 2007 DEXA revealed osteopenia in
> femurs, osteoporosis in spine. I opted to try for one year to
> rebuild bone through careful diet plus daily monitoring of pH (to
> prevent acid leaching of calcium from bones), while supplementing
> with calcium, magnesium, vitamin D. I did not want to try Fosamax or
> the like.

Concider supplementing with vitamin K2 also. It has been shown to prevent
fractures in many Japanese studies.

> The good news: Following a vegan diet and avoiding excessive
> protein, and shooting for a neutral pH (7.0), my averages for eight
> full months of diligent morning, afternoon and evening urinary pH
> readings were: 7.01, 7.01, 6.91.

A vegan diet is probably not ideal in osteoporosis as it is difficult to
obtain enough protein, calcium, and zinc from it. You seem to be are aware
that high protein leaches calcium from the bones but you are probably not
aware that protein also has an anabolic effect on bone, i.e. it builds bone.
Hence the ideal diet for osteoporosis has a good amount of protein (~ 1.2
g/kg) combined with high high intake of alkalic vegetables and fruits to
prevent low-grade metabolic acidosis. If you do not want to add any animal
products to your diet, supplementing with whey protein (or soy protein if
you want to be strictly vegan) might be beneficial.

Zinc supplementation has been shown to increase testosterone levels in some
studies.

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/8875519

--
Juhana

Ravintoblogini:
http://ruohikolla.blogspot.com/

From: trigonometry1972 on 17 Apr 2008 09:00
On Apr 14, 11:33 am, "Ole" <o...(a)pacific.net> wrote:
> Follow-up to threads begun on 2/10/08.
>
> Recap: 68 year old male.  March 28, 2007 DEXA revealed osteopenia in femurs,
> osteoporosis in spine.  I opted to try for one year to rebuild bone through
> careful diet plus daily monitoring of pH (to prevent acid leaching of
> calcium from bones), while supplementing with calcium, magnesium, vitamin D.
> I did not want to try Fosamax or the like.
>
> The good news:  Following a vegan diet and avoiding excessive protein, and
> shooting for a neutral pH (7.0), my averages for eight full months of
> diligent morning, afternoon and evening urinary pH readings were: 7.01,
> 7.01, 6.91.
>
> The bad news:  Follow up DEXA taken April 2, 2008.  Detailed analysis of the
> individual DEXA readings showed continued declines in bone density, both in
> the spine and femur.  (There were technical problems in the way the second
> DEXA was taken and interpreted; I will post separately on that, with more
> detail.)
>
> It turns out that I am fighting against a headwind of low testosterone (1.4%
> free testosterone, versus normal range of 1.6% to 2.9%).  I see no
> alternative but to begin testosterone supplementation.  I will post
> separately on that as well.
>
> I am opening up to medication, and must now try to figure out which one
> promises not just an increase in bone mineral density, but a demonstrated
> reduction in the risk of fractures with acceptable risk of side effects.
>
> Ole

How much vitamin D are taking?
If you research this you'll see the optimal dose maybe
far higher than you think it is. Have you had you
25 (OH) vitamin D serum level checked?

I'll agree with Juhana mention of vitamin K. I'll
suggest you look at vitamin K2 not K1.

Certainly T replacement is warrented if it playing a role.

Read up on rutin and bone health.

Also consider the use of Strontium either the
grey market products or the name brand prescription form.

I'll suggest a diet does needn't need to be vegan to
sufficient alkaline. Protein is also useful for bone
health.

It the injectables that cause the worst adverse effects
in the bisphosphonate class meds.

Are you taking other meds? Nexium or any of its PPI med
kin are bad for bones. Asthma meds? Some are also bad
on bone.
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