How Well Do Medicines Like Fosamax Work to Treat Osteoporosis?

Doctors and patients alike vastly overestimate the power of bisphosphonate drugs, such as Fosamax, to prevent fractures. Most people say they wouldn’t be willing to take many of the most commonly prescribed drugs if they knew how little benefit they actually offered.
I recently gave a webinar on osteoporosis, and you can watch the whole recording now (nutritionfacts.org/video/prev.... My previous videos on osteoporosis are also available, so check out Fall Prevention Is the Most Important Thing for Preventing Osteoporosis Bone Fractures (nutritionfacts.org/video/fall...) and Acid Reflux Medicine May Cause Osteoporosis (nutritionfacts.org/video/acid....
What about calcium supplements? See my videos Are Calcium Supplements Safe? (nutritionfacts.org/video/are-...) and Are Calcium Supplements Effective? (nutritionfacts.org/video/are-....
What about drinking milk? See my video Is Milk Good for Our Bones? (nutritionfacts.org/video/is-m....
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-Michael Greger, MD FACLM
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[@NutritionFactsOrg]

We just hosted the first of four How Not to Age Book Club sessions. Dr. Greger will be covering Part 2 this Friday. Register now and get access to the next three sessions PLUS the recording for Part 1: nutritionfacts.org/webinar/how-not-to-age-book-club/

[@karenseale9372]

As a whole food plant-based orthopedic surgeon, I applaud and thank you, Dr. Greger, for reviewing the literature, and compiling this video so succinctly and so clearly.

[@TheStewieGriffinShow]

Studies show that bone density requires exercise. The most famous study that was done was of professional baseball players' pitching arms. The Bone density of the pitching arm was three times that of the non-pitching arm. This study shows the importance of exercise in relation to bone density and also the importance of exercising a specific area for increasing bone density.

[@GNP999]

As physician with over 20 years of experience with osteoporosis and hip fractures, I can tell you that BMD testing is meaningless, bisphosphonates do Not work , and that they actually cause a devastating side effect called a bisphosphonate -induced femur fracture (aka atypical femur fracture). This so called atypical fracture is much harder to treat than a standard hip fracture and is clearly iatrogenic. I am embarrassed and ashamed of our profession and I hope that this sheds some light so others can look into the aforementioned in more detail

[@mjm.9082]

Wow, thank you for speaking up! I worked at a large pharmaceutical company several years ago, and it's all about making $$$

[@AAB463]

So with 20 yrs of experience, have you seen ANYTHING that makes a positive difference?

[@mountaingran9623]

I listened to the doctors at an osteoporosis clinic and followed their advice to take injections for osteoporosis. After experiencing side effects I was told I should continue with the remaining monthly injections before reporting any side effects to the manufacturer. The side effects had gotten worse each month. After having a second bone density scan and personally reviewing both scans I stopped the treatment. According to the imaging company and to the scans in front of me I have a mild case of osteopenia in my one hip. The drug is not shown to be effective for the spine. The doctors had convinced me that I needed the drugs to prevent another fracture of my vertebrae. I never should have been treated with these high-risk medications. I am attempting to get back to being myself. Five months later the clinic that cared so much about me has not contacted me to inquire as to why I cancelled the treatment. Five months later I am fighting to undo what the medication did.

[@juliedesnick7401]

I'm sorry you went through that. Wishing you good health and happiness ASAP.

[@SarahWilsonMySmartPuppy]

Angry on your behalf. What side effects have you/are you struggling with?

[@mountaingran9623]

@@juliedesnick7401 thank you.

[@mountaingran9623]

@@SarahWilsonMySmartPuppy weight gain, shortness of breath, tired all the time, hurt all over, swollen feet. This and more. I’m doing somewhat better now. The response I received from the NP was that these weren’t side effects listed on the drug website. Some of them have since been added on the website as side effects. I joined a Facebook group taking the same med. Many of the members cited some of the same side effects.

[@andanssas]

It seems they were profiting from the manufacturer... Don't be afraid to mention the name of the clinic, if you cannot sue them, at least you will warn others about them on social media. All the best 🙏

[@soniajacobs3038]

My doctor prescribed the injections for me. I think I was supposed to get them 6 months apart. After the first dose, a very quick shot in the arm, I got the notice from my insurance company that they had been billed almost $1,000! About a month later I got an earache that wouldn’t get better. The pain spread to the entire left side of my head. My doctor said he could find no reason for the pain. Then I found out about the possibility of it “rotting” my jaw! No way would I ever accept another injection!

[@mjm.9082]

Wow! Good for you taking control of your health!

[@Albopepper]

Good info to know! This reminds me of a video link a family member got directly from their doctor's office. The video pushes all the "benefits" of colonoscopy, without doing anything to show the actual statistical risk reduction. Worse yet, the video conveniently fails to mention that you can DIE from a colonoscopy!!! And of course, the patient was never provided a shred of guidance for tips to reduce colon cancer risk in the first place, ie no processed meat consumption... 🙄

[@lint8391]

This seems to be a theme of so many drugs taken as medication. More expensive, less effective and with worse side effects than lifestyle changes (usually dietary changes). With the medical profession and the drug companies gaining financially. A big thanks to Dr Greger and the team for making us aware of the medical science on these issues in an entertaining format.

[@mjm.9082]

I had a whole food plant-based doctor for 8 years who never pressured me to take unnecessary medications. Out of the blue recently I am signed up by her office to get a bone density test without having a discussion, but I go anyway. Afterwards this same doctor that I had previously trusted, out of the blue wants me on Fosamax! I respond that I dont agree because of the side effects and don't intend to take unnecessary meds. I get push back, and find out my doctor is leaving the practice to become a "concierge" doctor that requires a $3,000 payment per year UP FRONT! Because of this I was so disappointed in this doctor and have since found another physician. I haven't been sick in years, and having previously worked at a big pharmaceutical company (they are all about money!) so I had no intention of falling for this fake diagnosis and taking drugs that are completely unnecessary.

[@mchagawa1615]

Thank you so much for covering this! So important

[@aroundandround]

Weight training works and helped me improve lumbar bone density by nearly 1.5 standard deviations (or T-score units on which below -1 is osteopenia and below -2.5 is osteoporosis). It also helps those with low BMI to simply increase weight as carrying body weight is modest weight training all the time without even making a conscious effort.

[@AAB463]

Which exercises? How often? How many reps/sets? What was your starting physical condition? There’s so many people how have been runners, exercise instructors, etc who say weight lifting doesn’t do it.

[@botzer8817]

​@@AAB463Hypertrophy, 8-12 reps and more than 2 sets for each muscle per week

[@oksanakaido8437]

How long did it take you to see a benefit from weight training? And what were the weight ranges, frequency of exercise, etc? Thanks!

[@trevorregay9283]

Good information to know, but as per usual, most of these drugs simply aren't beneficial and actually cause other problems (side effects). What is more concerning is that our Doctors are brainwashed into thinking pushing these meds are the right way to go instead of suggesting alternatives.......you know like a better diet and exercise........

[@dianeladico1769]

When I told the board-certified endocrinologist treating me for T2D that I was going WFPB her response was 'I don't know anything about nutrition, they don't teach us that in med school'. She did offer a referral to a nutritionist and has been very supportive and was very interested in How Not To Die but information on diet and lifestyle as treatment and prevention should be flowing the other way. Out of six doctors, her response was the best. The others ranged from disinterest to actively against WFPB.

[@nancylucas4231]

Thank you so much for your expert review of clinical studies. I have been researching this topic for myself and appreciate your wisdom and analysis of clinical research. Great presentation. Please keep up your wonderful presentations. Again thank you.

[@PlantbasedSilvi]

What about soy, I remember that Japanese people are older and have a higher bone density.

[@mjm.9082]

Yes, true! The highest use of soy is on the island of Okinawa, and they also have the highest rate of healthy life longevity!

[@AAB463]

Natto, nori, at least 3 c gyokuro green tea, kiwi…oh yeah, prunes every day

[@lorah3005]

👍 Whole food plant based for the environment and health; vegan for the victims!

[@meonyoutubenow]

If dr. Gregor continues down this path big pharma is going to put on him soon.

[@doloreswinsbarrow1110]

Thanks Dr for the info.

[@AndrewPawley11]

I love this channel!

[@FoZeusMaximus]

Thank you

[@adiposerex5150]

Isn’t it also true that these drugs cause heart attacks?

[@yosf5221]

Please research the low intensity vibration platform Marodyne LiV Platform. There are some published studies conducted by the developer that suggest improvement in bone density. Thank you.

[@catherinewilson1079]

Those platforms cost a fortune!

[@yosf5221]

@@catherinewilson1079 yes, about $3000. There are discounts available. It would be worth it to me to not have to take medication. I read about it on Melioguide which is Margaret Martin's website. She has videos interviewing the inventor.

[@AAB463]

And there are conflicting reports, notably by Dr Beck (liftMOR fame), saying they DO NOT help grow bone. 😵‍💫

[@gregmeissner9960]

So following the logic of the last statement, the drugs may actually be of value in treating osteoporosis but morbidity might not appear to be impacted in studies because comorbidities potentially contribute to the hip fractures, and may be the underlying cause of death. Did I hear that correctly?

[@OnlineMD]

I'm a big fan, Dr. Greger, and have just opened your book "How not to age." But Sir, could you pleeeease TALK SLOWER??? I can easily understand you, being a retired physician, but I'll bet that average people will struggle to understand what you say and learn from your videos. And oh, one very important comment: I seriously believe that the bisphosphonates promote the accumulation of calcium in bones leading to an increased BMD or Bone Mineral Density. But I believe that all this calcium is just dumped in a disorganized haphazard manner. THIS is why spontaneous fractures of the femur and the mandible (jaw bone) occur. Good thing Samson of the Old Testament didn't use the jawbone of an ass fed such medicines or the Philistines would have wupped Samson's ass! 🤣🤣🤣And oh, yes I'm going to donate to your organization for sure!

[@jimmy-jamesolivier-mccutch2126]

1.09% of the time it works everytime 🤣🤣🤣 91 to 1 what a clown show