Dealing with Osteopenia naturally (such as vitamins); recommendations?

ALWAYS follow the advice of your doctor. First and foremost. This is NOT a rare condition where there are no answers. Well done for going and getting a test done. Does osteoporosis run in your family? Do you have a disease that is a precursor?

I can’t really say unless I know the answers to the above questions, so I’ll stop now.

@cazzie I am doing a little research for my sister.

Yes, osteoporosis runs in my family. My sister knows that she has low bone density.

Pertinent article.

I have taken a complete U turn on the issue of osteoporosis and sources of calcium after reading the most recent cutting-edge research. I no longer take calcium supplements by mouth, either. And I have stopped eating all dairy and animal products and seem to be apparently flourishing.

After five years, I also stopped, with great relief, taking the bisphosphinate (Fosamax). It is turning out to be a nasty drug. Research

Calcium from plants and other non-dairy sources.

Good sources of calcium

I do take D3 supplements (2000 IU daily) and B12 (50 mg.) I also exercise every other day with stretches, weight work and aerobics until I sweat.

Here’s another enlightened point of view from a traditional MD who has done his homework.

Very helpful. Thank-you.

Get her Vitamin D checked with a blood test. Depending on her results she might need prescription strength vitamin D. Even if she does not take a scrpt she will monitor her vitamin D level and calcium levels. The US recommended amount of D is 400iu’s a day. I was taking 50,000 iu’s a week, finally got my D up into normal ranges, and then my doctor and I decided to switch to over the counter to maintain the levels. My numbers went down down down. I was taking 2,000 iu’s a day, and it was not close to what I obviously need.

Also, vitmamin K is very important along with D to get the calcium into the bone. See, if the calcium level in the blood stream is too high it can indicate that calcium is settling in arteries and other soft tissues and organs, which is bad for us, it stiffens tissues, and creates plaque in arteries.

@JLeslie covered everything I was going to say..

Weight-bearing exercise is very important in building/sustaining bone density. As noted by others, the D and B12 supplements are important. I

I’ve heard doing light weights can help as well.

I agree with the recommendation of doing weight bearing exercises. It can be anything with impact really. Even aerobics/dance should help improve the density of the bones in the legs and hips, your own body weight counts as resistance. Basically getting up and moving is good for you for many many reasons. Sitting all day affects cardiovascular health, bone health and probably other things I am not thinking of.

As a result of taking testosterone suppressants for the prostate cancer, I began to experience calcium loss. My oncologist put me on calcium tablets which included vitamin D. The calcium loss was reversed and I regained most of the bone structure that had been lost. I don’t know if this would work for you, but it might be worth a try. Please discuss this with your doctor if you’re interested before taking the tablets.