The Bone Health Revolution Book Review

The bone health revolution

by Vivian Goldschmidt

Recently my good friend Chris called to tell him that his mother’s last bone scan revealed quite a bit of bone loss since her last test and that the doctor wanted to prescribe medication for his osteoporosis.

This made Chris uncomfortable and he called to ask if I knew anything about these medications, their effectiveness, side effects, and possible alternatives. My limited research after my own diagnosis of osteopenia a few years ago, a non-disease created to sell more drugs, I am convinced, led me to believe that drugs were not a good option and that there were many things to do first to strengthen the bones. of natural form.

I fumbled for some of what she knew, but told Chris that I would contact her after updating my research. In the meantime, he found this month’s book.

Author Vivian Goldschmidt has written a book that she wishes she had written.

Chris was right, the book is a gold mine of the latest information on osteoporosis, osteopenia, and the drugs Big Pharma wants us to take to stop this “disease.” A dirty little secret: Osteoporosis is not a disease at all, simply a function of aging. It is not inevitable and you do not need dangerous drugs to prevent, reverse or slow it down. It can be slowed down and reversed with diet, supplements, and exercise.

Did you know that the average our middle-aged bones are compared to for their “health” is that of women ages 20-29? As Vivian asked, “Are women expected to keep their bone density unchanged as they age?” How can we expect to have a “normal” bone density score compared to women who are at their peak of bone health?

Not to mention that bone density, the characteristic of our bones being tested, is not the best indicator of healthy bones, flexibility and strength of bones are.

Bone loss associated with aging is normal, so we must work for the strength and resilience of the bones.

Here are some vignettes that Vivian covers in detail in her book:

# Osteoporosis is not a disease, but it is actually the body that tries to correct an imbalance. And there is one simple thing you can do to correct this imbalance.

# Osteoporosis is not inevitable. Anyone can easily prevent and reverse it without taking medication. In fact, a 2006 report from the Mayo Clinic says that more than 37% of women over the age of 50 do not meet the true criteria for osteoporosis and are misdiagnosed. Are you one of them?

# The active ingredient in prescription drugs for osteoporosis (Fosamax, Actonel, Boniva) is a bisphosphonate. That’s just a fancy name for a common ingredient used in laundry detergents, fertilizers, and industrial lubricants. Would you put them on your body?

This is not fear nor is it an anti-drug spiel. It is a comprehensive investigation presented in the language of a layman. Vivian began on this search when she was diagnosed with osteoporosis a few years ago and her doctor gave her Fosamax. Her scientific background (she has a BA in nutrition from New York University) and scientific curiosity led her to investigate this alleged disease and the “cures” offered by many well-meaning physicians.

What she found was shocking and she felt she had to write about it and help other women avoid the potentially life-threatening side effects, at least harmful to quality of life, from Big Pharma’s response to this “problem.”

“According to a recent article in Consumer Affairs (February 2007), Merck, the maker of Fosamax, has set aside $ 48 million to establish a defense fund for lawsuits related to the debilitating side effects of Fosamax. Does Merck know something the public in general no?

Warning: Vivian does not say that drugs like Fosamax, Actonel and Boniva do not harden the bones. They do; it is its ingredients, its side effects and what we do not know that encourages us to look for alternatives. And what we still don’t know is whether the action of these bone-building drugs will increase density but limit or prevent the formation of new bone, which is more flexible and therefore less prone to fractures than old brittle bones. .

If you have been diagnosed with osteoporosis or osteopenia, I encourage you to buy the book and try natural alternatives before a protacol drug. I cannot recommend this book highly enough.