Osteoporosis
Milk Doesn’t Make Bones Strong
We've long been told that milk builds strong bones, but a new study from Sweden did not show a link between high milk consumption by older adults and a lower risk of fracture. If anything, women who d…
Did Heartburn Medicine Undermine His Bone Streng…
Most people think that weak bones are only a problem for older women. That is not necessarily the case. Certain medications can make men as well as women more susceptible to osteopenia. What is the be…
Steroid Shots in Joints Weaken Bones
Q. What effect do cortisone shots have on the body? In order to keep playing tennis I have received shots in my hip, knees and shoulders over the last few years. I have read that oral prednisone can l…
Broken Thigh Bone Linked to Drug
Q. My sister (60 years old) just broke her femur without any trauma. She simply stepped down and as she stepped her femur snapped. She had taken Fosamax for 5 years and stopped last year when she hear…
Olive Oil for Strong Bones
Spanish researchers have found that a Mediterranean diet containing lots of virgin olive oil may be good for bones as well as the heart. For the study, more than 100 older men were randomly assigned t…
Don’t Count on Bone Drugs Long Term
FDA researchers are questioning the long-term benefits of bone drugs like Actonel, Boniva, Reclast and Fosamax (alendronate). These bisphosphonate medications are prescribed to build bone and reduce t…
Protecting Bones without Heartburn
Q. I have osteoporosis and my doctor prescribed Fosamax. I took it for years, but it caused severe heartburn that I could not handle. When I complained to the doctor, he offered Boniva. Reading the la…
Keeping Bones Strong
Q. I was diagnosed with osteoporosis around menopause and was prescribed Fosamax. It gave me flu-like symptoms every time I took it. Actonel gave me an ulcer. My doctor discovered I have celiac diseas…
Calcium: Friend or Foe
Every day millions of Americans swallow calcium pills in an attempt to keep their bones strong. For decades, women in particular have been told that extra calcium is critical to ward off osteoporosis.…
Does Breastfeeding Increase Risk of Osteoporosis…
Breast feeding has many benefits for the infant as well as the mother, but Mexican researchers have found one possible downside to prolonged breast feeding. Postmenopausal women whose children nursed …
Bones Benefit from Exercise at Any Age
Older women trying to protect their bones and prevent fractures could benefit from exercise. A Finnish study of 160 elderly women randomized half to group instruction on exercises to improve balance a…
Questioning Conventional Wisdom on Calcium
Americans like simple solutions to complicated problems. This is especially true in medicine. Two fundamental "truths" of health advice are 1) calcium builds strong bones and 2) saturated fat clogs co…
Osteoporosis Drugs Linked to Dental Problems
People who take osteoporosis drugs such as Actonel, Boniva and Fosamax should be aware that such medications have been linked to rare but serious dental complications. The problem is called osteonecro…
Does Too Much Protein Weaken Bones?
Critics of a low-carb diet sometimes suggest that too much protein will weaken bones. A new study in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition throws doubt on that belief. Researchers collected dieta…
Strengthening Bones without Upsetting Stomach
Q. I am 62 years old and just had my second bone density test. I was told I have osteopenia and should take Boniva. I have been lactose intolerant for many years. Consuming milk gives me smelly gas, u…
The Baffling Business of Bones
Bones are getting a lot of buzz these days. For one thing, TV commercials promoting osteoporosis drugs like Boniva and Reclast create an image of healthy activity. Watch television and you are likely …
How Safe Are Drugs for Strong Bones?
We are often asked about long-term side effects of medications people will be taking for a long time. Drugs to treat osteoporosis are usually taken for years, if not decades. FDA usually does not requ…