Obesity Surgery May Lead to Weakened Bones

[Guest guest]

Thought everyone should see this:

Obesity Surgery May Lead to Weakened Bones

Mon April 14, 2003 10:20 AM ET

By Stenson

SAN DIEGO (Reuters Health) - People who have undergone gastric bypass surgery to

lose large amounts of weight may also lose bone mass, even if they're taking

recommended calcium supplements to help keep their bones strong, new findings

suggest.

A study that followed patients for about 10 months after the surgery found they

were losing more bone than they were replacing. Bone is a dynamic tissue that is

constantly being created and destroyed by two types of cells, which will

maintain bone strength if the cells are in balance.

It's not clear if the increase in bone turnover seen in obese patients is a

lasting effect that could put patients at risk for significant bone loss leading

to osteoporosis, but the results raise concerns, said study author Dr. Penelope

Coates, an endocrinologist at the University of Pittsburgh in Pennsylvania.

The reason why it is occurring is also unclear, said Coates.

One potential explanation is that the surgery, which by design reduces the

absorption of calories, also decreases calcium absorption. Another possibility,

she said, is that the excess body weight that once put " increased mechanical

force " on these patients' bones -- causing them to become stronger, just as

weight-lifting helps build bone -- has decreased, so the bones are simply

adjusting to the reduced weight burden.

Whatever the reason, patients should have their bone density measured every

couple of years, Coates said here Sunday at the annual Experimental Biology

meeting.

If bone loss is detected, patients may need more than the 1,000 milligrams of

supplemental calcium that is currently recommended for them, she said.

The new study involved 27 male and female patients who had the popular Roux-en-Y

gastric bypass surgery and another 29 people who were awaiting the procedure.

During the surgery, doctors staple off a section at the top of the stomach to

form a small pouch that can hold only a small amount of food. They also add a

bypass that allows food to circumvent part of the small intestine, limiting the

absorption of calories.

Ten months after surgery, patients had lost an average of 80 to 100 pounds. At

the same time, urine and blood tests indicated that bone was breaking down

faster than it was being rebuilt.

" The more weight people lost, the higher their rate of bone breakdown, " Coates

said.

By comparison, in patients awaiting surgery, bone was breaking down and

rebuilding at similar rates, as it should.

" The major finding is that the rate of bone breakdown was higher -- about twice

as high -- among those who had surgery as those who didn't, " Coates said.

Nonetheless, bone scans did not reveal that surgical patients were showing clear

evidence of bone loss, said Coates, possibly because it was too soon to see such

an effect.

She and her colleagues plan to continue studying patients to see if the early

signs of bone turnover actually translate into marked bone loss over time.

[Guest guest]

Thought everyone should see this:

Obesity Surgery May Lead to Weakened Bones

Mon April 14, 2003 10:20 AM ET

By Stenson

SAN DIEGO (Reuters Health) - People who have undergone gastric bypass surgery to

lose large amounts of weight may also lose bone mass, even if they're taking

recommended calcium supplements to help keep their bones strong, new findings

suggest.

A study that followed patients for about 10 months after the surgery found they

were losing more bone than they were replacing. Bone is a dynamic tissue that is

constantly being created and destroyed by two types of cells, which will

maintain bone strength if the cells are in balance.

It's not clear if the increase in bone turnover seen in obese patients is a

lasting effect that could put patients at risk for significant bone loss leading

to osteoporosis, but the results raise concerns, said study author Dr. Penelope

Coates, an endocrinologist at the University of Pittsburgh in Pennsylvania.

The reason why it is occurring is also unclear, said Coates.

One potential explanation is that the surgery, which by design reduces the

absorption of calories, also decreases calcium absorption. Another possibility,

she said, is that the excess body weight that once put " increased mechanical

force " on these patients' bones -- causing them to become stronger, just as

weight-lifting helps build bone -- has decreased, so the bones are simply

adjusting to the reduced weight burden.

Whatever the reason, patients should have their bone density measured every

couple of years, Coates said here Sunday at the annual Experimental Biology

meeting.

If bone loss is detected, patients may need more than the 1,000 milligrams of

supplemental calcium that is currently recommended for them, she said.

The new study involved 27 male and female patients who had the popular Roux-en-Y

gastric bypass surgery and another 29 people who were awaiting the procedure.

During the surgery, doctors staple off a section at the top of the stomach to

form a small pouch that can hold only a small amount of food. They also add a

bypass that allows food to circumvent part of the small intestine, limiting the

absorption of calories.

Ten months after surgery, patients had lost an average of 80 to 100 pounds. At

the same time, urine and blood tests indicated that bone was breaking down

faster than it was being rebuilt.

" The more weight people lost, the higher their rate of bone breakdown, " Coates

said.

By comparison, in patients awaiting surgery, bone was breaking down and

rebuilding at similar rates, as it should.

" The major finding is that the rate of bone breakdown was higher -- about twice

as high -- among those who had surgery as those who didn't, " Coates said.

Nonetheless, bone scans did not reveal that surgical patients were showing clear

evidence of bone loss, said Coates, possibly because it was too soon to see such

an effect.

She and her colleagues plan to continue studying patients to see if the early

signs of bone turnover actually translate into marked bone loss over time.

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 4/14/2003 5:27:59 PM Central Daylight Time,

Myerslowe@... writes:

> patients should have their bone density measured every couple of years,

---------------------------------

Actually, they should have it measured EVERY year. This may be a new study,

but post-ops have generally been aware of the bone density issue for quite

some time already. At least one of the reasons for the loss of density is

bcuz of the malabsorption of nutrients. People who don't supplement properly

are more likely than ever to develop osteoporosis.

Unfortunately, the industry does not make it easy or simple to supplement

properly. Daily requirements for calcium are not spelled out clearly, people

end up thinking taking 1000mg of calcium citrate is giving them 1000mg of

calcium. It is not. Only about 25-30% of a calcium citrate supplement is

calcium (pure, or elemental, calcium). And there is a whole gamut of

additional nutrients that need to be in proper balance. Yet, only magnesium

and vit D are routinely mentioned as necessary.

Carol A

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 4/14/2003 5:27:59 PM Central Daylight Time,

Myerslowe@... writes:

> patients should have their bone density measured every couple of years,

---------------------------------

Actually, they should have it measured EVERY year. This may be a new study,

but post-ops have generally been aware of the bone density issue for quite

some time already. At least one of the reasons for the loss of density is

bcuz of the malabsorption of nutrients. People who don't supplement properly

are more likely than ever to develop osteoporosis.

Unfortunately, the industry does not make it easy or simple to supplement

properly. Daily requirements for calcium are not spelled out clearly, people

end up thinking taking 1000mg of calcium citrate is giving them 1000mg of

calcium. It is not. Only about 25-30% of a calcium citrate supplement is

calcium (pure, or elemental, calcium). And there is a whole gamut of

additional nutrients that need to be in proper balance. Yet, only magnesium

and vit D are routinely mentioned as necessary.

Carol A

[Guest guest]

if only it was so simple as taking 1000mg. a day of calcium.

if its not citrate, if its not at least 1500, if there is no D, mag, boron

you are up a creek. they should have continued the study with the proper

nutrients to see what would happen. but its about time someone realized it.

can we all send it to our docs and enlighten them now?!! mine seems to be

one of the few who knew this, calls it a side effect of the surgery and

insists on a bone density scan within the first yr.

sue

> Thought everyone should see this:

> Obesity Surgery May Lead to Weakened Bones

> Mon April 14, 2003 10:20 AM ET

> By Stenson

> SAN DIEGO (Reuters Health) - People who have undergone gastric bypass

surgery to lose large amounts of weight may also lose bone mass, even if

they're taking recommended calcium supplements to help keep their bones

strong, new findings suggest.

>

> A study that followed patients for about 10 months after the surgery found

they were losing more bone than they were replacing. Bone is a dynamic

tissue that is constantly being created and destroyed by two types of cells,

which will maintain bone strength if the cells are in balance.

>

> It's not clear if the increase in bone turnover seen in obese patients is

a lasting effect that could put patients at risk for significant bone loss

leading to osteoporosis, but the results raise concerns, said study author

Dr. Penelope Coates, an endocrinologist at the University of Pittsburgh in

Pennsylvania.

>

> The reason why it is occurring is also unclear, said Coates.

>

> One potential explanation is that the surgery, which by design reduces the

absorption of calories, also decreases calcium absorption. Another

possibility, she said, is that the excess body weight that once put

" increased mechanical force " on these patients' bones -- causing them to

become stronger, just as weight-lifting helps build bone -- has decreased,

so the bones are simply adjusting to the reduced weight burden.

>

> Whatever the reason, patients should have their bone density measured

every couple of years, Coates said here Sunday at the annual Experimental

Biology meeting.

>

> If bone loss is detected, patients may need more than the 1,000 milligrams

of supplemental calcium that is currently recommended for them, she said.

>

> The new study involved 27 male and female patients who had the popular

Roux-en-Y gastric bypass surgery and another 29 people who were awaiting the

procedure. During the surgery, doctors staple off a section at the top of

the stomach to form a small pouch that can hold only a small amount of food.

They also add a bypass that allows food to circumvent part of the small

intestine, limiting the absorption of calories.

>

> Ten months after surgery, patients had lost an average of 80 to 100

pounds. At the same time, urine and blood tests indicated that bone was

breaking down faster than it was being rebuilt.

>

> " The more weight people lost, the higher their rate of bone breakdown, "

Coates said.

>

> By comparison, in patients awaiting surgery, bone was breaking down and

rebuilding at similar rates, as it should.

>

> " The major finding is that the rate of bone breakdown was higher -- about

twice as high -- among those who had surgery as those who didn't, " Coates

said.

>

> Nonetheless, bone scans did not reveal that surgical patients were showing

clear evidence of bone loss, said Coates, possibly because it was too soon

to see such an effect.

>

> She and her colleagues plan to continue studying patients to see if the

early signs of bone turnover actually translate into marked bone loss over

time.

[Guest guest]

if only it was so simple as taking 1000mg. a day of calcium.

if its not citrate, if its not at least 1500, if there is no D, mag, boron

you are up a creek. they should have continued the study with the proper

nutrients to see what would happen. but its about time someone realized it.

can we all send it to our docs and enlighten them now?!! mine seems to be

one of the few who knew this, calls it a side effect of the surgery and

insists on a bone density scan within the first yr.

sue

> Thought everyone should see this:

> Obesity Surgery May Lead to Weakened Bones

> Mon April 14, 2003 10:20 AM ET

> By Stenson

> SAN DIEGO (Reuters Health) - People who have undergone gastric bypass

surgery to lose large amounts of weight may also lose bone mass, even if

they're taking recommended calcium supplements to help keep their bones

strong, new findings suggest.

>

> A study that followed patients for about 10 months after the surgery found

they were losing more bone than they were replacing. Bone is a dynamic

tissue that is constantly being created and destroyed by two types of cells,

which will maintain bone strength if the cells are in balance.

>

> It's not clear if the increase in bone turnover seen in obese patients is

a lasting effect that could put patients at risk for significant bone loss

leading to osteoporosis, but the results raise concerns, said study author

Dr. Penelope Coates, an endocrinologist at the University of Pittsburgh in

Pennsylvania.

>

> The reason why it is occurring is also unclear, said Coates.

>

> One potential explanation is that the surgery, which by design reduces the

absorption of calories, also decreases calcium absorption. Another

possibility, she said, is that the excess body weight that once put

" increased mechanical force " on these patients' bones -- causing them to

become stronger, just as weight-lifting helps build bone -- has decreased,

so the bones are simply adjusting to the reduced weight burden.

>

> Whatever the reason, patients should have their bone density measured

every couple of years, Coates said here Sunday at the annual Experimental

Biology meeting.

>

> If bone loss is detected, patients may need more than the 1,000 milligrams

of supplemental calcium that is currently recommended for them, she said.

>

> The new study involved 27 male and female patients who had the popular

Roux-en-Y gastric bypass surgery and another 29 people who were awaiting the

procedure. During the surgery, doctors staple off a section at the top of

the stomach to form a small pouch that can hold only a small amount of food.

They also add a bypass that allows food to circumvent part of the small

intestine, limiting the absorption of calories.

>

> Ten months after surgery, patients had lost an average of 80 to 100

pounds. At the same time, urine and blood tests indicated that bone was

breaking down faster than it was being rebuilt.

>

> " The more weight people lost, the higher their rate of bone breakdown, "

Coates said.

>

> By comparison, in patients awaiting surgery, bone was breaking down and

rebuilding at similar rates, as it should.

>

> " The major finding is that the rate of bone breakdown was higher -- about

twice as high -- among those who had surgery as those who didn't, " Coates

said.

>

> Nonetheless, bone scans did not reveal that surgical patients were showing

clear evidence of bone loss, said Coates, possibly because it was too soon

to see such an effect.

>

> She and her colleagues plan to continue studying patients to see if the

early signs of bone turnover actually translate into marked bone loss over

time.

[Guest guest]

The other critical thing is getting your bone density scan done on the

SAME DAY each year. Especially in places like Seattle, where the

sunlight fluctuates so much, bone density literally varies from season

to season. I have elected to have my bone density checked each year on

my surgery anniversary (09/17) with my PCP's full support.

I take almost 1900 mg of calcium a day (as citrate), with magnesium,

boron, and vitamin D in the proper ratios. I am 35 and my bones are

above what is expected for my age. :-) My PCP thinks part of the

strength of my bones is from breastfeeding my daughter for 25 months

(women lose bone density when they nurse babies but usually gain it back

plus some when their children wean).

Ziobro

Open RNY 09/17/01

310/130

http://tinyurl.com/4e3h AMOS profile

Re: Obesity Surgery May Lead to Weakened Bones

if only it was so simple as taking 1000mg. a day of calcium.

if its not citrate, if its not at least 1500, if there is no D, mag,

boron you are up a creek. they should have continued the study with the

proper nutrients to see what would happen. but its about time someone

realized it. can we all send it to our docs and enlighten them now?!!

mine seems to be one of the few who knew this, calls it a side effect of

the surgery and insists on a bone density scan within the first yr.

sue

> Thought everyone should see this:

> Obesity Surgery May Lead to Weakened Bones

> Mon April 14, 2003 10:20 AM ET

> By Stenson

> SAN DIEGO (Reuters Health) - People who have undergone gastric bypass

surgery to lose large amounts of weight may also lose bone mass, even if

they're taking recommended calcium supplements to help keep their bones

strong, new findings suggest.

>

> A study that followed patients for about 10 months after the surgery

> found

they were losing more bone than they were replacing. Bone is a dynamic

tissue that is constantly being created and destroyed by two types of

cells, which will maintain bone strength if the cells are in balance.

>

> It's not clear if the increase in bone turnover seen in obese patients

> is

a lasting effect that could put patients at risk for significant bone

loss leading to osteoporosis, but the results raise concerns, said study

author Dr. Penelope Coates, an endocrinologist at the University of

Pittsburgh in Pennsylvania.

>

> The reason why it is occurring is also unclear, said Coates.

>

> One potential explanation is that the surgery, which by design reduces

> the

absorption of calories, also decreases calcium absorption. Another

possibility, she said, is that the excess body weight that once put

" increased mechanical force " on these patients' bones -- causing them to

become stronger, just as weight-lifting helps build bone -- has

decreased, so the bones are simply adjusting to the reduced weight

burden.

>

> Whatever the reason, patients should have their bone density measured

every couple of years, Coates said here Sunday at the annual

Experimental Biology meeting.

>

> If bone loss is detected, patients may need more than the 1,000

> milligrams

of supplemental calcium that is currently recommended for them, she

said.

>

> The new study involved 27 male and female patients who had the popular

Roux-en-Y gastric bypass surgery and another 29 people who were awaiting

the procedure. During the surgery, doctors staple off a section at the

top of the stomach to form a small pouch that can hold only a small

amount of food. They also add a bypass that allows food to circumvent

part of the small intestine, limiting the absorption of calories.

>

> Ten months after surgery, patients had lost an average of 80 to 100

pounds. At the same time, urine and blood tests indicated that bone was

breaking down faster than it was being rebuilt.

>

> " The more weight people lost, the higher their rate of bone

> breakdown, "

Coates said.

>

> By comparison, in patients awaiting surgery, bone was breaking down

> and

rebuilding at similar rates, as it should.

>

> " The major finding is that the rate of bone breakdown was higher --

> about

twice as high -- among those who had surgery as those who didn't, "

Coates said.

>

> Nonetheless, bone scans did not reveal that surgical patients were

> showing

clear evidence of bone loss, said Coates, possibly because it was too

soon to see such an effect.

>

> She and her colleagues plan to continue studying patients to see if

> the

early signs of bone turnover actually translate into marked bone loss

over time.

Homepage: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Graduate-OSSG

Unsubscribe: mailto:Graduate-OSSG-unsubscribe

[Guest guest]

The other critical thing is getting your bone density scan done on the

SAME DAY each year. Especially in places like Seattle, where the

sunlight fluctuates so much, bone density literally varies from season

to season. I have elected to have my bone density checked each year on

my surgery anniversary (09/17) with my PCP's full support.

I take almost 1900 mg of calcium a day (as citrate), with magnesium,

boron, and vitamin D in the proper ratios. I am 35 and my bones are

above what is expected for my age. :-) My PCP thinks part of the

strength of my bones is from breastfeeding my daughter for 25 months

(women lose bone density when they nurse babies but usually gain it back

plus some when their children wean).

Ziobro

Open RNY 09/17/01

310/130

http://tinyurl.com/4e3h AMOS profile

Re: Obesity Surgery May Lead to Weakened Bones

if only it was so simple as taking 1000mg. a day of calcium.

if its not citrate, if its not at least 1500, if there is no D, mag,

boron you are up a creek. they should have continued the study with the

proper nutrients to see what would happen. but its about time someone

realized it. can we all send it to our docs and enlighten them now?!!

mine seems to be one of the few who knew this, calls it a side effect of

the surgery and insists on a bone density scan within the first yr.

sue

> Thought everyone should see this:

> Obesity Surgery May Lead to Weakened Bones

> Mon April 14, 2003 10:20 AM ET

> By Stenson

> SAN DIEGO (Reuters Health) - People who have undergone gastric bypass

surgery to lose large amounts of weight may also lose bone mass, even if

they're taking recommended calcium supplements to help keep their bones

strong, new findings suggest.

>

> A study that followed patients for about 10 months after the surgery

> found

they were losing more bone than they were replacing. Bone is a dynamic

tissue that is constantly being created and destroyed by two types of

cells, which will maintain bone strength if the cells are in balance.

>

> It's not clear if the increase in bone turnover seen in obese patients

> is

a lasting effect that could put patients at risk for significant bone

loss leading to osteoporosis, but the results raise concerns, said study

author Dr. Penelope Coates, an endocrinologist at the University of

Pittsburgh in Pennsylvania.

>

> The reason why it is occurring is also unclear, said Coates.

>

> One potential explanation is that the surgery, which by design reduces

> the

absorption of calories, also decreases calcium absorption. Another

possibility, she said, is that the excess body weight that once put

" increased mechanical force " on these patients' bones -- causing them to

become stronger, just as weight-lifting helps build bone -- has

decreased, so the bones are simply adjusting to the reduced weight

burden.

>

> Whatever the reason, patients should have their bone density measured

every couple of years, Coates said here Sunday at the annual

Experimental Biology meeting.

>

> If bone loss is detected, patients may need more than the 1,000

> milligrams

of supplemental calcium that is currently recommended for them, she

said.

>

> The new study involved 27 male and female patients who had the popular

Roux-en-Y gastric bypass surgery and another 29 people who were awaiting

the procedure. During the surgery, doctors staple off a section at the

top of the stomach to form a small pouch that can hold only a small

amount of food. They also add a bypass that allows food to circumvent

part of the small intestine, limiting the absorption of calories.

>

> Ten months after surgery, patients had lost an average of 80 to 100

pounds. At the same time, urine and blood tests indicated that bone was

breaking down faster than it was being rebuilt.

>

> " The more weight people lost, the higher their rate of bone

> breakdown, "

Coates said.

>

> By comparison, in patients awaiting surgery, bone was breaking down

> and

rebuilding at similar rates, as it should.

>

> " The major finding is that the rate of bone breakdown was higher --

> about

twice as high -- among those who had surgery as those who didn't, "

Coates said.

>

> Nonetheless, bone scans did not reveal that surgical patients were

> showing

clear evidence of bone loss, said Coates, possibly because it was too

soon to see such an effect.

>

> She and her colleagues plan to continue studying patients to see if

> the

early signs of bone turnover actually translate into marked bone loss

over time.

Homepage: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Graduate-OSSG

Unsubscribe: mailto:Graduate-OSSG-unsubscribe

[Guest guest]

It may not be a calcium issue. There is some evidence that protein

deficiency is associated with bone density loss. See

http://www.aces.edu/dept/extcomm/health/april28a02.html

http://www.ars.usda.gov/is/np/fnrb/fnrb401.htm#protein and

http://www.jbmr-online.com/abstracts/01512/JBMR0151225040_abstx.html I

had a slight bone density decrease over the last two years. My calcium

intake is close to 4000 mg elemental calcium a day with plenty of

vitamin D and magnesium, so calcium is not a likely cause. My protein

intake is minimal though. So I think that is the cause.

Ray Hooks

For WLS nutrition info, visit

http://www.bariatricsupplementsystem.com

" S.Rudnicki " wrote:

>

> if only it was so simple as taking 1000mg. a day of calcium.

> if its not citrate, if its not at least 1500, if there is no D, mag, boron

> you are up a creek. they should have continued the study with the proper

> nutrients to see what would happen. but its about time someone realized it.

> can we all send it to our docs and enlighten them now?!! mine seems to be

> one of the few who knew this, calls it a side effect of the surgery and

> insists on a bone density scan within the first yr.

>

> sue

>

> > Thought everyone should see this:

> > Obesity Surgery May Lead to Weakened Bones

> > Mon April 14, 2003 10:20 AM ET

> > By Stenson

> > SAN DIEGO (Reuters Health) - People who have undergone gastric bypass

> surgery to lose large amounts of weight may also lose bone mass, even if

> they're taking recommended calcium supplements to help keep their bones

> strong, new findings suggest.

> >

> > A study that followed patients for about 10 months after the surgery found

> they were losing more bone than they were replacing. Bone is a dynamic

> tissue that is constantly being created and destroyed by two types of cells,

> which will maintain bone strength if the cells are in balance.

> >

> > It's not clear if the increase in bone turnover seen in obese patients is

> a lasting effect that could put patients at risk for significant bone loss

> leading to osteoporosis, but the results raise concerns, said study author

> Dr. Penelope Coates, an endocrinologist at the University of Pittsburgh in

> Pennsylvania.

> >

> > The reason why it is occurring is also unclear, said Coates.

> >

> > One potential explanation is that the surgery, which by design reduces the

> absorption of calories, also decreases calcium absorption. Another

> possibility, she said, is that the excess body weight that once put

> " increased mechanical force " on these patients' bones -- causing them to

> become stronger, just as weight-lifting helps build bone -- has decreased,

> so the bones are simply adjusting to the reduced weight burden.

> >

> > Whatever the reason, patients should have their bone density measured

> every couple of years, Coates said here Sunday at the annual Experimental

> Biology meeting.

> >

> > If bone loss is detected, patients may need more than the 1,000 milligrams

> of supplemental calcium that is currently recommended for them, she said.

> >

> > The new study involved 27 male and female patients who had the popular

> Roux-en-Y gastric bypass surgery and another 29 people who were awaiting the

> procedure. During the surgery, doctors staple off a section at the top of

> the stomach to form a small pouch that can hold only a small amount of food.

> They also add a bypass that allows food to circumvent part of the small

> intestine, limiting the absorption of calories.

> >

> > Ten months after surgery, patients had lost an average of 80 to 100

> pounds. At the same time, urine and blood tests indicated that bone was

> breaking down faster than it was being rebuilt.

> >

> > " The more weight people lost, the higher their rate of bone breakdown, "

> Coates said.

> >

> > By comparison, in patients awaiting surgery, bone was breaking down and

> rebuilding at similar rates, as it should.

> >

> > " The major finding is that the rate of bone breakdown was higher -- about

> twice as high -- among those who had surgery as those who didn't, " Coates

> said.

> >

> > Nonetheless, bone scans did not reveal that surgical patients were showing

> clear evidence of bone loss, said Coates, possibly because it was too soon

> to see such an effect.

> >

> > She and her colleagues plan to continue studying patients to see if the

> early signs of bone turnover actually translate into marked bone loss over

> time.

>

> Homepage: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Graduate-OSSG

>

> Unsubscribe: mailto:Graduate-OSSG-unsubscribe

>

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

It may not be a calcium issue. There is some evidence that protein

deficiency is associated with bone density loss. See

http://www.aces.edu/dept/extcomm/health/april28a02.html

http://www.ars.usda.gov/is/np/fnrb/fnrb401.htm#protein and

http://www.jbmr-online.com/abstracts/01512/JBMR0151225040_abstx.html I

had a slight bone density decrease over the last two years. My calcium

intake is close to 4000 mg elemental calcium a day with plenty of

vitamin D and magnesium, so calcium is not a likely cause. My protein

intake is minimal though. So I think that is the cause.

Ray Hooks

For WLS nutrition info, visit

http://www.bariatricsupplementsystem.com

" S.Rudnicki " wrote:

>

> if only it was so simple as taking 1000mg. a day of calcium.

> if its not citrate, if its not at least 1500, if there is no D, mag, boron

> you are up a creek. they should have continued the study with the proper

> nutrients to see what would happen. but its about time someone realized it.

> can we all send it to our docs and enlighten them now?!! mine seems to be

> one of the few who knew this, calls it a side effect of the surgery and

> insists on a bone density scan within the first yr.

>

> sue

>

> > Thought everyone should see this:

> > Obesity Surgery May Lead to Weakened Bones

> > Mon April 14, 2003 10:20 AM ET

> > By Stenson

> > SAN DIEGO (Reuters Health) - People who have undergone gastric bypass

> surgery to lose large amounts of weight may also lose bone mass, even if

> they're taking recommended calcium supplements to help keep their bones

> strong, new findings suggest.

> >

> > A study that followed patients for about 10 months after the surgery found

> they were losing more bone than they were replacing. Bone is a dynamic

> tissue that is constantly being created and destroyed by two types of cells,

> which will maintain bone strength if the cells are in balance.

> >

> > It's not clear if the increase in bone turnover seen in obese patients is

> a lasting effect that could put patients at risk for significant bone loss

> leading to osteoporosis, but the results raise concerns, said study author

> Dr. Penelope Coates, an endocrinologist at the University of Pittsburgh in

> Pennsylvania.

> >

> > The reason why it is occurring is also unclear, said Coates.

> >

> > One potential explanation is that the surgery, which by design reduces the

> absorption of calories, also decreases calcium absorption. Another

> possibility, she said, is that the excess body weight that once put

> " increased mechanical force " on these patients' bones -- causing them to

> become stronger, just as weight-lifting helps build bone -- has decreased,

> so the bones are simply adjusting to the reduced weight burden.

> >

> > Whatever the reason, patients should have their bone density measured

> every couple of years, Coates said here Sunday at the annual Experimental

> Biology meeting.

> >

> > If bone loss is detected, patients may need more than the 1,000 milligrams

> of supplemental calcium that is currently recommended for them, she said.

> >

> > The new study involved 27 male and female patients who had the popular

> Roux-en-Y gastric bypass surgery and another 29 people who were awaiting the

> procedure. During the surgery, doctors staple off a section at the top of

> the stomach to form a small pouch that can hold only a small amount of food.

> They also add a bypass that allows food to circumvent part of the small

> intestine, limiting the absorption of calories.

> >

> > Ten months after surgery, patients had lost an average of 80 to 100

> pounds. At the same time, urine and blood tests indicated that bone was

> breaking down faster than it was being rebuilt.

> >

> > " The more weight people lost, the higher their rate of bone breakdown, "

> Coates said.

> >

> > By comparison, in patients awaiting surgery, bone was breaking down and

> rebuilding at similar rates, as it should.

> >

> > " The major finding is that the rate of bone breakdown was higher -- about

> twice as high -- among those who had surgery as those who didn't, " Coates

> said.

> >

> > Nonetheless, bone scans did not reveal that surgical patients were showing

> clear evidence of bone loss, said Coates, possibly because it was too soon

> to see such an effect.

> >

> > She and her colleagues plan to continue studying patients to see if the

> early signs of bone turnover actually translate into marked bone loss over

> time.

>

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