Question:
Hi Lorene, my Doc is insisting I take fosomax for osteo, do you have a good calcium product that is easy to absorb? and how much per month would it be? I might want to try the calcium way first. Will it constipate me? I am already taking cascara every day.
Cheers L.
Answer:
Great question and timing! I just published another post on Osteopenia, Osteoporosis and Bone Health Part 1, so here is Part 2 to answer your questions!
The types of calcium that we use in our practice are not constipating. In fact the one I just posted about, Nature’s Gold, is an excellent fibre source and increases bowel movements. The other ones we use the most are all in a herbal base, which 1) makes them more absorbable, therefore more effective even when the mg. numbers may be lower, and
2) the herbs add nutrients for overall benefit and
3) the herbs prevent constipation, while benefiting the obody overall with other healing properties.
The formulas I use the most are Cal Mag & D and Liquid Cal-Mag. For menopausal women having hot flashes, if Flash Ease does not work on its own, then we add Herbal Calcium. My suggestion is to read the fact sheets giving you details of each one, (by clicking on the name of each supplement).
I have listed them in order of most common, so you may also just want to order the first one on the list. The cost for Cal Mag Plus D is: Canada: $29.50 for 200 tablets; US: $19.90 for 150 tablets. Recommended dosage is listed on each fact sheet – there is no problem to double or triple this if you need extra calcium.
It is important with all supplements, but especially minerals, to make sure they break down in normal stomach conditions. Nature’s Sunshine is one of the few companies that tests for this, and because of this we have had excellent results for lowering pH levels, eliminating muscle cramps as well as bone health.
Another post to read will explain to you the importance of Magnesium in any calcium formula. If a person is prone to any kind of cramping, they should take at least additional Magnesium Complex capsule with each Calcium.
Fosamex is riddled with many side effects. I encourage you to look into this further and share with your doctor, as well as sharing the positive results we have in increasing bone density in older women with the natural supplementation. Then make your decision.
Consider this statement from http://www.drugwatch.com/fosamax/side-effects/:
“For those taking Fosamax, perhaps the most frustrating side effect is the drug’s propensity to cause fractures of what is one of the strongest bones in the body – the femur. … stress fractures, often happen when patients least expect it. Some patients reported breaking bones while they were doing normal, everyday tasks such as walking or sitting. Merck said the fractures usually come after weeks or months of groin or hip pain. Researchers are still trying to determine why Fosamax is linked to bone breaks, especially in patients taking the drug for five years or longer. Many scientists theorize the drug shuts down the body’s bone-renewing process and creates more brittle bones.
And from http://www.drugs.com/sfx/fosamax-side-effects.html:
“When Fosamax was introduced in 1995, it was promoted as the solution to osteoporosis and other bone-damaging diseases. Instead, studies show that Fosamax (alendronate) causes a slew of side effects that may be more problematic than osteoporosis itself. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) documented several of the drug’s side effects and subsequently distributed numerous warnings.
Fosamax belongs to the bisphosphonate drug family, which is known to cause many of the drug’s side effects. They range from mild to severe.
According to the drug’s manufacturer, Merck, the most common side effects include gastrointestinal issues, such as nausea, diarrhea, constipation and cramping. It can also cause skin rashes and eye problems.
Why would one risk this when we have safe, natural food nutrition, like Nature’s Gold and good quality Calcium supplements that increase bone density?
Of course, following lifestyle recommendation as in Lorene’s book: The Paw Paw Program – A “Christopher Columbus” Approach to Cancer – The World IS Round and Cancer CAN Be Treated Naturally is recommended to improve ALL health conditions.
Should you wish to have wholesale access any of the same quality supplements we have used over 23 years to help thousands of people achieve optimum health, please email our office at TakeTheNaturalPath@gmail.com, or contact us via our website.