Problems with Fosamax

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Another interesting health e-letter.

Subscription instructions at the bottom.

I can't quite see supplementing with strontium.

Another reason for making sure you get

your minerals and trace minerals in whole

food form, like Celtic sea salt and sea vegetables

and such.

 

Ien in the Kootenays

http://profiles./free_green_living

 

Problems With Fosamax Are Worse Than We Thought

 

Back in August I told you about a major problem with

the bisphosphonate drugs like Fosamax and Actonel:

They can cause some women to permanently lose bone

in their jaw!

 

The makers of these drugs have downplayed the side

effects. They've pointed out that the majority of

women who lost bone in their jaw were taking the

bisphosphates intravenously (for cancer), and not

orally for osteoporosis.

 

Technically, that's true. But the fact is that this

problem can strike anyone - at any time. And I'm not

the only one worried about it.

 

A new report from the American Dental Association shows

Fosamax and other bisphosphonates are a widespread problem.

The ADA report advises dentists throughout the country to

have all of their patients who take this drug sign a release

before doing any invasive procedures! This includes tooth

extractions, root canals, and in some cases, even fillings!

 

The situation has some dentists so scared, they won't even

treat women who take Fosamax. All they're willing to do for

these patients is take x-rays, examine their teeth, and suggest

regular cleanings. Some I've talked with are advising their

patients to have all the dental procedures they need completed

before beginning Fosamax.

 

Clearly, I'm not the only one who thinks this drug can put

your health at serious risk. If you have a dental emergency

while taking it, you may not find a dentist willing to help.

 

So why take it at all?

 

If you want to take something that will build bone, there are

better options. These include magnesium, vitamin D, and strontium.

All three are invaluable for building strong bones.

 

In fact, one recent study found that taking strontium for a little

more than six months had a positive effect on bone mineral density

for many years afterward. A review of nine years worth of studies

on strontium found one to two grams a day was sufficient to reduce

fractures in the spine and other sites in osteoporitic women. It

also increased bone density in all sites in women with and without

osteoporosis. Clearly, there are other solutions to this common

problem that are much safer.

 

For more information on osteonecrosis of the jaw and the role of

bisphosphonates, rs to my newsletter can read, " How taking

Fosamax can lead to a serious and painful jaw disease " (Women's

Health Letter, August 2006) at http://www.womenshealthletter.com.

 

Your voice of reason in women's health,

Dr. Nan

 

http://www.ada.org

 

Blake, G.M. and I. Fogelman. " Theoretical model for the interpretation

of BMD scans in patients stopping strontium ranelate treatment, " J

Bone Min Res, September 2006.

 

O'Donnell, S., et al. " Strontium ranelate for preventing and treating

postmenopausal osteoporosis, " Cochrane Database Syst Rev, July 19, 2006.

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