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The Nice Osteoporosis Rip-off


The years I’ve spent finding out the medical business have made me admire how usually financial ideas can permit one to grasp its advanced and contradictory habits.

For instance, I imagine most of the inconsistencies in medical ethics (e.g., “moms have an absolute proper to abort their kids” and “moms can’t refuse to vaccinate their kids as a result of it endangers their little one’s life”) could be defined by merely acknowledging that no matter makes cash is deemed “moral.”

Gross sales Funnels

The gross sales funnel idea is essential to understanding the trendy medical business. This methodology includes initially focusing on a broad viewers after which regularly narrowing all the way down to dearer services or products for the captured prospects. There are usually two overlapping gross sales funnels in medication:

The primary funnel includes prescribing innocuous medicine to many individuals after which promoting more and more costly prescription drugs to deal with issues. For instance, this usually happens with medicines given to ladies, resulting in dangerous penalties.

common response to hormonal changes

Observe: Sources for the above graph could be present in this text concerning the risks of SSRI antidepressants.1

The second funnel includes framing preventative medication as screening people for potential well being dangers after which utilizing these outcomes to justify promoting medical companies like drug prescriptions. As these screenings turn into normalized, the business expands the vary of companies supplied, usually resulting in overdiagnosis and overtreatment. As an example, pointers for “protected” blood stress and levels of cholesterol have been repeatedly lowered,2 therefore placing extra individuals on medicines.

Observe: The folly of this method is highlighted by a trial that discovered eradicating on common 2.8 non-essential medicine from the aged at one facility triggered their 1-year loss of life charge to go from 45% to 21%.3

DEXA Scams

One frequent approach mass screenings are carried out is by giving many sufferers X-rays after which funneling these with irregular imaging into being handled. For instance, ladies over 50 get mammograms each two years to detect breast most cancers early. Nonetheless, research present these screenings usually lack general profit as a result of fast-growing cancers are normally not caught early, whereas false positives are frequent and steadily result in dangerous remedies.

Observe: Many medical specialists rely upon repeatedly performing the identical billable service (e.g., vaccinating a baby, performing a feminine pelvic examination, or studying a mammogram).

One other frequent common screening apply for girls is dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA) scans, which measure bone density as an indicator of bone energy. The outcomes are in comparison with the typical bone density of a 30-year-old, producing a T-score. Medical college students be taught {that a} T-score of 0 to -1 is regular, -1 to -2.5 signifies osteopenia, and -2.5 or worse signifies osteoporosis, prompting pressing remedy.

Nonetheless, contemplating pure age-related bone density loss, most people can have decrease bone density than a 30-year-old. Thus, the present method to managing osteoporosis acknowledges inevitable bone loss with age and focuses on prevention, as regaining bone density later in life is difficult.

How dependable are DEXA scans? Outcomes fluctuate considerably primarily based on machine, operator, and measured bones, with research exhibiting a 5% – 6% distinction4 in bone density. This variation can alter T-scores by 0.2 – 0.4, resulting in misdiagnoses of osteoporosis.

Is repeated scanning needed? A research of 4124 older ladies5 discovered no further helpful data gained from repeating DEXA scans over 8 years. But, pointers suggest scans each 1-2 years, with Medicare masking one each 2 years, regardless of prices starting from $150 to $300 per scan.

Do DEXA scans precisely predict fracture threat? Whereas typically predictive, research present discrepancies between scan outcomes6 and noticed bone energy beneath a microscope. Moreover, scans usually underestimate energy loss in intentionally weakened bones.

Observe: I lately realized from Dr. Mercola {that a} sooner and extra correct methodology of diagnosing bone energy (which doesn’t expose sufferers to ionizing radiation) is starting for use in Europe.7 REMS expertise works by sending ultrasound waves8 into the bone after which analyzing the spectrum created to evaluate the well being of the bones.

As this presentation reveals, it precisely predicts bone density, and moreover, predicts bone energy. In brief, this can be a dramatically superior method to Dexa scans, however it faces stiff resistance in america due to how closely invested many already are in performing Dexa scans. For these , extra data could be discovered at EchoLight’s web site.9

ernest curtis comment

Observe: This remark was affirmed in an NPR article.10

Bisphosphonates

As soon as osteoporosis is recognized, the preliminary remedy usually includes beginning a bisphosphonate, which can proceed for 3-5 years relying on the administration methodology. Quite a lot of components affect the event of bone.

Two of crucial ones are the cells that construct bone up (osteoblasts) and the cells that break bone down (osteoclasts). Bisphosphonates, (e.g., Fosamax or Actonel), focus in bones and inhibit osteoclasts,11 resulting in elevated bone density by shifting the stability in the direction of bone constructing. Nonetheless, this method faces two main points:

Bisphosphonates are related to quite a few negative effects,12 reminiscent of abdomen irritation, extreme muscle and bone ache, flu-like signs, osteonecrosis of the jaw,13 uncommon hip fractures, atrial fibrillation, hypocalcemia, fatigue, and kidney issues. Remarkably, the American Dental Affiliation even cautioned its members14 to keep away from engaged on sufferers who’re taking bisphosphonates.

Bisphosphonates disrupt the physique’s pure bone-building course of, ensuing within the preservation of “previous bone” reasonably than selling wholesome bone formation.

Observe: Along with the bisphosphonates, there are different problematic osteoporosis medicine which additionally goal the osteoclasts.

Bone Transforming

One of many key adaptive processes within the physique is its response to stresses and hundreds positioned upon it. An often-overlooked marvel of the physique is its continuous reshaping of bones to bear hundreds optimally. Whereas we seldom take into consideration this course of, its significance turns into obvious in sure situations. Think about house journey: astronauts, disadvantaged of gravity’s weight indicators, expertise fast bone loss,15 posing severe fracture dangers upon returning to Earth.

On this bone-building ballet, osteoclasts play an important but underappreciated position. They sculpt bones to resist gravity’s calls for, however when blocked by medicine like bisphosphonates, bones turn into denser but extra brittle and fewer versatile.

This underscores a typical situation in medication: specializing in treating numbers (e.g., decreasing ldl cholesterol) assuming it equates to well being enchancment. Research usually assess advantages by worth adjustments (e.g., vaccine-induced antibodies), overlooking precise affected person outcomes (e.g., in Pfizer’s COVID vaccine research,16 antibody manufacturing did not correlate with decreased deaths).

In brief, I might posit that whereas bisphosphonates could also be efficient at bettering a DEXA rating, they aren’t essentially good at bettering bone well being.

What Causes Osteoporosis?

Bone metabolism is intricately linked to varied key physique processes, making it difficult to pinpoint the first determinants of bone well being. Nonetheless, a number of components stand out:

Mobility — Sedentary life contribute to osteoporosis, highlighting the significance of weight-bearing actions in bone well being.17 Strolling is especially useful and if performed frequently all through life dramatically improves bone well being.

Hormones — In a earlier article, I mentioned the extreme risks of medication like Lupron which work by disabling the physique’s manufacturing of intercourse hormones. One of the vital frequent negative effects noticed from them is a big weakening of the bones. In flip, hormonal loss accompanying ageing additionally weakens the bones.

Irritation — Continual inflammatory circumstances improve the chance of osteoporosis by activating bone-dismantling processes.18

Amino acids — Since some of the important elements of bone well being is the elasticity collagen imparts to them (as this permits bone to bend and yield to exterior forces reasonably than shattering) collagen well being is critically necessary for bone well being.

In trendy society, we are sometimes poor in these amino acids due to widespread abdomen acid deficiency19 (which impairs our skill to metabolize protein into amino acids) and us predominantly consuming softer cuts of meat which lack the collagen constructing amino acids present in more durable elements of meat (e.g., gristle).

Observe: Colleagues reminiscent of Dr. Mercola have discovered consuming 30g – 40g of collagen every day sourced from beef knee joints is an optimum amino acid repletion protocol and in a brief time frame considerably improves bone well being (together with usually bettering a wide range of associated components reminiscent of one’s top and one’s metabolic well being).

Minerals — Dietary consumption of minerals reminiscent of boron and manganese20 is essential for bone energy, and deficiencies can impair bone well being. Components like abdomen acid deficiency21 and soil depletion contribute to mineral deficiencies.

Observe: The widespread deficiency of manganese within the inhabitants is partially as a result of it being chelated from the soil by glyphosate (Roundup).22

Manganese serves a vital position in constructing collagen, so when it’s poor, it steadily creates systemic ligamentous laxity,23 and in flip hypermobile sufferers reminiscent of these with EDS (who are usually extremely delicate and prone to pharmaceutical accidents) discover a big enchancment of their ligamentous energy after just a few months of appropriately dose manganese.24

Water fluoridation — Whereas fluoride will increase bone density, it could compromise bone well being and performance. Some research hyperlink fluoride to osteomalacia and elevated fracture threat.25

Pharmaceutical medicine — Medicines like glucocorticoid steroids26 (e.g., prednisone) and opioids can weaken bones27 and improve fracture threat.

Observe: Glucocorticoid induced bone loss is so extreme it’s truly one of many few permitted indications for bisphosphonate remedy.28

Environmental toxins — Publicity to toxins like organophosphates, bisphenol A, nicotine, and heavy metals inhibits bone formation and contributes to osteoporosis.29

Parathyroid adenomas — These tumors trigger extreme secretion of parathyroid hormone, resulting in calcium depletion from bones, bone loss, and a spread of signs. Surprisingly, regardless of being a widely known situation, parathyroid adenomas are steadily missed. Figuring out persistently elevated blood calcium ranges can function a key indicator, prompting additional investigation right into a parathyroid adenomas.

Observe: Chinese language Drugs has linked the age-related lack of the kidney’s vitality to bone loss for hundreds of years. Many attribute this to the kidneys essential position in regulating vitamin D and the blood ranges of the minerals bone consists of (e.g., calcium).

I think their regulation of the physiologic zeta potential (the decline of which is a key explanation for ageing) can also be key. That’s as a result of zeta potential30 governs the tendency for blood to movement freely or clump collectively, and the arduous exterior bone blood vessels should move by makes them extra prone to their blood provide turning into interrupted (e.g., from the bone shifting misplaced).

Conclusion

It is fascinating to appreciate that bone is way over only a structural part; it is a residing tissue with its personal dynamic habits. After I’ve had the chance to deal with bone straight, reminiscent of throughout orthopedic surgical procedures, it is evident how completely different it’s from the lifeless bones we usually encounter. Sadly, this expertise is uncommon, main many to see bone as inert and unchanging.

The factors I’ve mentioned on this article are based on the significance of recognizing bone’s vitality and understanding how our interactions with it form our well being and longevity. Historic medical traditions, like Chinese language medication, appreciated this side of bone well being. They noticed it as integral to general well-being, acknowledging its interconnectedness with the physique’s techniques.

By embracing this attitude, we will achieve new insights into bone well being and its significance for holistic healthcare. It is my hope that this text sheds gentle on the dynamic nature of bones and encourages a deeper understanding of their position in our well being journey.

Writer’s word: That is an abridged model of an extended article on the topic which discusses the above factors in additional element and plenty of others reminiscent of our different most well-liked approaches for bettering bone well being. That article and its further references could be learn right here.

A Observe From Dr. Mercola In regards to the Writer

A Midwestern Physician (AMD) is a board-certified doctor within the Midwest and a longtime reader of Mercola.com. I admire his distinctive perception on a variety of subjects and I am grateful to share them. I additionally respect his need to stay nameless as he’s nonetheless on the entrance strains treating sufferers. To search out extra of AMD’s work, you should definitely take a look at The Forgotten Aspect of Drugs on Substack.

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