Osteoporosis

October 25, 2002

I injured my wrist 2 wks ago and today got a tentative diagnosis

of " mild osteoporosis " . I will know later after more exams scheduled

for the next 2 wks.

I am 18 months post-op and have never felt better in my life. I must

admit, however, that I am not compliant with my calcium. Vitamins

yes, but calcium no. Always one excuse or another -- too big of a

pill, gets stuck, yadda yadda yadda. Well, now I may be paying for

my excuses...

Is there anything that can be done to " reverse " osteoporosis, if that

is my final diagnosis? One DOES live a normal life with

osteoporosis, right???

Thanks!

Estela in TX

Open RNY 4/9/01

278/170/150

From 26W to 10 Misses

October 26, 2002

In a message dated 10/25/02 9:46:18 PM Central Daylight Time, sng@...

writes:

Take massive doses (> 2000 mg/day) of a highly absorbable form of calcium

(citrate, gluconate, ..., but not carbonate) plus extra vitamin D to help

absorb the calcium. Also, get 15-20 minutes of sunlight exposure daily, if

possible, to produce vitamin D naturally in your own body.

-------------------------------If u don't get the sunlight in, you need about

200iu vit D for every 500mg of ELEMENTAL calcium you take. If you don't know

about elemental calcium, you can email me privately for more info.

@@@@@@@@@@

Get your nutritionist to guide you in the proper balance of Ca and D.

--------------------------generally accepted ratios are 250mg magnesium and

100iu vit D per every 500mg elemental calcium.

@@@@@@@@@@

I found that, when I switched from my own " mix 'n match " array of vitamins

and calcium pills to Vita4Life (www.vita4life.net) at the suggestion of my

WLS doc, my lab results for calcium chemistry (my PTH levels) got real

better, real fast.

--------------------------while PTH can give some indication, it's best to

rely on dexascan. I visited the website noted, and found some disconcerting

info there. It's a bit difficult to fig out just what one would be getting,

bcuz the vits come in " daypacks " of 12 caps or tabs, which are split up into

3 doses over the day--regardless of type of surgery you had; the determining

factor is how much weight you intend to lose. Based on the info there, you

would be getting twice as much zinc as is generally considered safe, and

three times as much vit D. The mix of vit A is backwards--with the major

percentage coming from palmitate instead of beta carotene. Palmitate builds

up in the body and can be toxic; beta carotene is harmless even at high

levels. Recognized upper limit of beta carotene is 25,000 iu; for palmitate I

believe it's around one-fifth as much. These caps are giving you 45,000iu of

the palmitate and only 5000iu beta carotene. Almost makes me wonder if they

input the data wrong..... Perhaps a nutritionist would be able to tell you if

these are good for you or not.

@@@@@@@@@@

Since you are already osteoporotic, it may take several years to reverse the

process, but, at least you will not get any worse if you start taking your

calcium supplements now.

------------------------------Can osteoporosis actually be reversed? Someone

help me out here. I thought the best one can hope for is just to keep it from

worsening. It would be great if I'm wrong on that score.

@@@@@@@@@@

-----------------------------Other things to consider in fighting the battle:

be sure you're getting enuf protein; it affects your body's ability to absorb

the calcium you take. Protein shakes are probably a good idea, as it's

difficult to eat enuf food to get all the protein you need that way. And

don't ignore weight-bearing exercise. It strengthens bones. Avoid caffeine,

whether from coffee, tea, diet soda, etc. to maximize calcium utilization.

Regards,

Carol A

October 26, 2002