Osteoporosis and Improving Your Health

Dr. Robert Rubin
Naples, FL

Whenever risk factors are considered for osteoporosis, menopause and andropause are at the top of the list. Many of the patients I see for bioidentical hormone therapy at my Naples BodyLogicMD office have questions about this issue. The answer is, there are many causes that can lead to osteoporosis. Lifestyle and certain medications can increase your risk as well as your genetics. Smoking, carbonated beverages, sugar, alcohol, caffeine, and lack of weight bearing exercises among others, are lifestyle choices that can lead to osteoporosis – and if used in excess should be altered.

The following dietary factors may also impact your likelihood of developing osteoporosis: excess protein and grain intake. Taking calcium with fiber and foods with oxalic acid (spinach, greens, asparagus, rhubarb and chocolate) bind calcium in the intestines and prevent its absorption. Some medications, which decrease acid in the stomach as well as steroids, dilantin and lasix, can also increase your risk. The thyroid hormones play a crucial role in preventing osteoporosis as too much thyroid can increase the progression of the disease.

As a doctor who believes in preventative medicine, we need to intervene before the damage is done or at least limit the rate of progression. Sex hormones and bioidentical hormone therapy at BodyLogicMD can become your mainstay of therapy. My patients come to me with different needs and hormonal imbalances. Myself and all of the physicians at BodyLogicMD will take time with each patient to test and evaluate these needs.

One hormone, estrogen, is important in maintaining bones, while progesterone is critical for building them. If a person does not have enough testosterone their bone strength will diminish. It is important to have balanced hormones across the board – not just one or the other.

So how do we keep our hormone levels balanced as we age?

Bioidentical hormone therapy is an effective tool in managing our hormone levels. The doses must be monitored closely by a BodyLogicMD physician so that all hormones are kept in balance. Also, the proper supplements and vitamins are essential to correspond with the hormone therapy; i.e. calcium carbonate is poorly absorbed so hydroxyappetite is the best form of calcium – next would be calcium citrate.

In some studies, one of which was published in the New England Journal of
Medicine, says Strontium, a mineral supplement, has shown to reduce the risk of fractures and increase bone density. I recommend that my patients take supplements, but it is important that they discuss their options with a qualified anti-aging physician.

All in all, preventative medicine, diet, exercise and proper lifestyle choices are the key ingredients to optimum longevity and quality of life.

THOUGHT OF THE DAY: Does aging cause a hormone decline OR is aging the result of declining hormone levels?

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