The idea of treating osteoporosis with bisphosphonate drugs has been greatly challenged by a new online publication of study in the Archives of Medicine May 21, 2012.)  For years, many doctors have been greatly concerned about the danger of these drugs – Fosamax, Boniva, Actonel, and Zometa.  One doctor particular concerned doctor is, Dr. David Brownstein, and he even predicted many years ago in his book , Drugs that Don’t Work and Natural Therapies That Do, that  “…the long-term use of these medications (bisphosphonates)  will… lead to the formation of poor quality bone.”  And unfortunately, the prediction seems to have come true.

In this latest study, bisphosphonate drugs were found to significantly increase the risk of atypical (low-stress) bone fractures the longer the bisphosphonate drugs were taken. The study found that those who took the drugs less than two years were 35 times more likely to have an atypical bone fracture and those who took the medications for two to five years have 47-fold increase in atypical fractures.  Those who the drugs for five to nine year were 117 times more likely and those who took the drugs over nine years were 176 times more likely to suffer an atypical fracture.

Why would this happen?  According to Dr. Brownstein’s explanation, these types of drugs poison a crucial enzyme that is important to the osteoclasts (bone remodeling cells).  And if the function of the osteoclasts are disrupted this leads to the body forming weakened bones. Just that simple.

Some recommendations for osteoporosis are eating a healthful diet, avoid antacid medications and balancing the hormonal systems with a natural approach.

We will have to wait to see if these drugs will take so long to be pulled from the market as drugs such as Celebrex.

Busch Chiropractic offers a drug-free approach with the DRS Protocol for low back and neck pain.

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