A Doubled-Barreled Treatment For Osteoporosis
13 Apr 2006
Charles de Talleyrand, the noted French diplomat, once remarked to Napoleon Bonaparte, "Sire, worse than a crime you have committed an error." Today tens of thousands of North Americans have developed a crippling disease, osteoporosis (brittle bones). They too have committed a major error that could be prevented.
Hip, spine and wrist injuries are the most common fractures associated with osteoporosis. And broken bones can strike with the speed of lightning. A forceful hug can suddenly break a rib. Picking up a heavy load of groceries or sneezing can also lead to a fractured bone. Or osteoporosis can result in chronic pain and life in a wheelchair.
The figures are frightening and place a huge financial burden on our health care system. One in four women and one in eight men over 50 has osteoporosis. Today, 1.4 million Canadians suffer from this disease. And with an aging population we can expect more hip and spinal fractures in the future.
Women are more affected by osteoporosis than men. The female hormone, estrogen, prevents women from developing porous bones during their reproductive period. At menopause estrogen declines and this protection is lost. Many patients are then reluctant to take estrogen for fear of cancer.
Several factors contribute to osteoporosis. Genetics plays a role, as often there’s a family history of this disease. So does lack of exercise, being small boned, white or of Eurasian ancestry.
Also at increased risk are those who are smokers, those who take more than two alcoholic drinks a day, or require medications such as cortisone, anti-convulsants, thyroid hormone and aluminum containing antacids.
An inadequacy of calcium and vitamin D is a major cause of osteoporosis. We obtain most vitamin D from the sun. But in Canada from October to February the sun’s rays strike the earth at an oblique angle making it impossible for the skin to manufacture this vitamin. And as the skin ages or sunscreen is used, less vitamin D is produced.
To prevent osteoporosis you must start early in life because by age 25 we reach peak bone mass. Then we begin to lose bone at the rate of one per cent a year. So our bones are much like a bank account. If you save your pennies early in life there’s money left for later years. Similarly, by building up bones early in life, by drinking calcium rich milk and eating leafy vegetables ample bony structure will last a lifetime.
Today many patients ask how much calcium is required each day. But it’s a rare day that I’m asked about the daily requirements for vitamin D. The majority of patients fail to realize that vitamin D is essential for the absorption of calcium.
Researchers have shown that adult Canadians have inadequate levels of vitamin D including more than 50 per cent of post-menopausal women with osteoporosis. One study revealed that 97 per cent of patients hospitalized with a fracture from a minor fall had vitamin D deficiency.
In spite of knowing that calcium is important to prevent osteoporosis many people still fail to obtain sufficient calcium. It’s even harder for them to obtain the required amount of vitamin D. That’s why so many suffer from osteoporosis.
Now a new product called, Fosavance, is available for men and women. Its double-barreled approach keeps bones from looking like Swiss cheese.
Fosavance contains 70 milligrams of alendronate sodium and 2,800 IU of vitamin D3. This is a significant amount, but does not provide the fully recommended dose outlined by Canadian guidelines. Fosavance helps to reverse bone loss, strengthens bone and decreases the risk of fracture. Taken just once a week makes it more patient friendly and there’s no chance of missing out on an important amount of vitamin D.
Fosavance is prescribed for patients with osteoporosis who are at risk of vitamin D insufficiency and increased risk of hip and spinal fractures. It must be swallowed whole with a full glass of plain water on rising for the day and 30 minutes before eating and drinking. And patients must stand erect for 30 minutes to guard against irritation of the upper GI tract, particularly the esophagus.
