DEAR DR. GOTT:
I am an 84-year-old woman in very good health. My only problem is severe osteoporosis. I am unable to tolerate any of the current osteoporosis prescription pills on the market and have tried adding extra calcium and vitamin D to my diet. So far it is has not helped.
Recently while in my pharmacy picking up more supplements, I found a new product called “Citracal plus Bone Density Builder”. The bone density builder is apparently an ingredient called genistein which has been proven to increase significantly bone density (at least according to the package label).
Do you have any information on this product? If there is a chance it could do what it says, I would like to try it but as it is more expensive than traditional calcium plus D, I would rather not waste my money if it is truly no different.
DEAR READER:
Osteoporosis occurs when our bodies can no longer make bone as fast as it is broken down. This typically occurs as a result of old age but can be related to several medical disorders such as hypothyroidism, Paget’s disease and others.
Individuals with osteoporosis are at an increased risk of developing spinal compression fractures. They are also prone to severe bone breaks due to minor trauma. These fractures can be difficult to treat and may take many months to heal or may not properly heal at all.
Most doctors recommend patients with osteopenia or osteoporosis take calcium plus D supplements as well as prescription medications such as Fosamax or Boniva. The vitamin D aids absorption of the calcium into the bones while the prescriptions help the bone create new bone.
The drawback to prescription osteoporosis medication is that most cause stomach upset and other gastro-intestinal consequences. In some cases this is severe enough to warrant stopping the medication. I assume this is what happened to you. However, since the introduction of osteoporosis medication, there have been several advances including injectable or IV forms of the medications. There is even a nasal spray variety as well as one that is derived from parathyroid hormones.
As for the “Citracal plus Bone Density Builder”, I am not familiar with the product but did find some information. It is a typical calcium plus D supplement that also contains genistein. Genistein is a soy-derived isoflavone. It is also a phyotestrogen (plant based estrogen). According to a study released in June 2007, treatment with 54 mg of genistein daily for two years may prevent bone loss caused by estrogen deficiency. The study was randomized, double-blind and placebo-controlled involving postmenopausal women. The study was only done on 389 women with osteopenia and did not include information about fractures. Women in the genistein treatment group had more gastro-intestinal problems then the calcium plus D only group.
I recommend you speak to your doctor about the possibility of taking this supplement or one of the alternative prescriptions but caution you to not expect any miracles. Perhaps a referral to an endocrinologist is in order.
To give you related information, I am sending you a copy of my Health Report “Osteoporosis”. Other readers who would like a copy should send a self-addressed, stamped number 10 envelope and $2 to Newsletter, PO Box 167, Wickliffe, OH 44092. Be sure to mention the title.
About Dr. Gott