This week, we will look at two myths that are somewhat related.  The bone density scan and what it really shows and how exercise and bone health are related.

Osteoporosis Myth Two: The Bone Density (DEXA SCAN) Myth

After a physician-ordered bone density scan reveals a diagnosis of osteoporosis, many patients are prescribed Bisphosphonates.  (Drugs with brand names such as Fosamax & Boniva)

Doctors prescribe these medications to increase bone density, which it does. However, it also has serious risk factors such as fracture and destruction of the jawbone. How is this possible?

Bisphosphate drugs work by slowing down cells that recycle bone. As it does this, more bone builds up. This is a good thing, right? The increased bone looks good on x-ray, DEXA scores improve.

However, although the bone looks stronger it actually grows weaker.

Normally, the body builds bone by breaking down old bone and building newer, stronger bone. Because bisphosphates stop the breakdown of the older bone, it creates bones that look better on an X-ray but because it includes a higher percentage of older bone, it is in actuality weaker.

This is why serious fractures are a major side effect of these medications.

These medications have mild side effects such as:

      • Abdominal pain
      • Acid regurgitation
      • Constipation

And more serious side effects:

      • Femur Fractures
      • Osteonecrosis (literally the death of the bone) of the jaw
      • Esophagus problems

In 2010 the FDA required that the manufacturers change their drug labels to warn patients of the serious risk of femur fractures.

These drugs may not be the best solution to a diagnosis of osteoporosis.  As we have been discussing in the previous posts, the foods we eat can dramatically improve our bone health.  As we look at Myth #3, we see there are other things we can do to help as well:

OSTEOPOROSIS MYTH THREE: My exercise level has nothing to do with bone strength

exercise and bone health

Building strong bones requires movement.

In medicine, it is called Wolf’s law which states that the body builds bone in response to the stress it is under.

Without stress, bones get weaker. This is why astronauts who spend months in space lose up to 20% of bone. Without gravity to stress bones, they decay. Wolf’s law could be explained quite simply as: USE IT OR LOSE IT. As it is with many things in life, so it is with bone health.

If you live on a couch, you are like an astronaut—not using the power of gravity to strengthen your bones.

Activities that put stress on bones, such as exercises against gravity, jump start bone formation.

      • Walking (with or without added weights), jogging, or running
      • Strength training using dumbbells, resistance bands, or even cans of soup.  Especially squats and lunges.
      • Jumping such as on a trampoline

Next week, Myth Four – The Medication Myth.