The Truth About Osteoporosis, Osteopenia, Fear and Bones

Dr. Susan Brown is a medical anthropologist, a New York State Certified Nutritionist, who pioneered the natural approach to bone health for over 30 years. 

She was the first to prove that using only natural methods, nearly every woman can build strong bones for life. Incorporating her research and the latest science, her six-point natural program has helped tens of thousands of women take control of their bone health and enjoy long, active, happy lives.

Dr. Brown fits the rebellious wellness profile to a T. 

I feel like listening to this interview is the best way for you to understand the many aspects of bone strength, bone tests, drugs, diet, lifestyle and stress impact our bones.

That said here are some highlights.

         “ Osteoporosis was always defined by bones so weak that they fractured needlessly.”

In 1985, a bunch of (male) scientists working at Harvard decided they were going to create a machine, DEXA, that could predict who was going to fracture. It would read bone density. For 10 years they collected data on many people.

Guess who sponsored the machines? Drug companies.

They created 3 categories: normal, osteoporosis, osteopenia for those who weren’t normal but they were lower than the normal range for 30-year old women.

“Osteopenia was never meant as a diagnosis.”

10 more years go by and the begin to publish data on who’s going to fracture. Just like those with the lowest cholesterol are guaranteed to avoid heart disease, they found that those most likely to fracture came from the normal and osteopenia groups.

“10%- 30% of fractures occur in people with normal bone density.”

If you happen to be thin or short Dexa machines will always read that at bone loss—you have less dense bones to begin with.

“This has led to the undermining of the self-confidence of so many women all around the world.”

“They're terrorizing people with this idea of hip fracture, when really the hip fracture rates are declining and half of the hip fractures occur in people with disabilities in nursing homes.”

Bottom line, Dexa machines can’t predict fracture. Not to mention two different machines will give you different readings. The tech has influence too.

Trebecular bone tests add a layer of the picture by measuring metabolically active bone, go for it if it’s offered.

The newest thing is ultrasound to determine bone density. The machine is called EchoLight. Nothing new just newly introduced as a more accurate way to get a picture of your bones.

·      Bone strength is very related to muscle, to muscle strength and muscle mass. when you lose muscle, you lose bone, and when you lose are losing bone, you're losing muscle.

·      Pay attention to your muscle maybe, and take bone density with a grain of salt, particularly if you're small boned thin or underweight. 

·      Bones need all of the right nutrients, not just calcium and too much calcium can lead to calcification of the arteries. By the way, the calcium as bone hero story was promoted by the dairy industry.

·      Bones sacrifice themselves to ensure we have a balance of minerals. It will store toxic metals like arsenic, cadmium, and lead so they aren’t circulating in the blood. When we lose bone, those toxins are released back into the bloodstream.

·      Bones need the right PH balance to stay strong. Best way to test is first morning urine. An...