This is not the first newsletter I have written on this subject. Previously, I stated in a newsletter that these biphosphonates needed to be tested for a much longer period of time because many women would be on them for twenty, thirty, and forty plus years. The original clinical trials were short term, and it is only recently that ten year trials are beginning to show what I predicted years ago. No one experiences bone loss because of a biphosphonate deficiency.
As usual, the trials conducted by the drug manufacturers suggest safety, but the independent trial results are a different matter altogether, and it’s looking pretty scary.
First let me state, biphosphonates have no ability to build new bone. They are designed to strengthen bone by inhibiting normal bone resorption. Bones are always in a mixed state of breaking down and rebuilding, so there is a constant mineral turnover, and by inhibiting normal resorption they also block re-mineralization or healing. This leads to a greater bone density in the short term, but a more brittle bone in the long term. In the short term (less than five years), these drugs absolutely reduce the risk of fractures related to age related osteoporosis. In the long term – and the people on these drugs are generally on them for the rest of their life – ten, twenty or more years, the story is quite different.
In one clinical trial over the short term of only 3 to 8 years, results showed subjects with increased fractures of hips, femur, and ribs while performing normal daily activities. The fracture locations were unusual for women with osteoporosis. These women were also taking Premerin, so the two drugs taken together obviously create a very high risk situation. The results suggest that biphosphonates should not be taken with estrogen.
Once a bone is broken, the biphosphonate patient takes much longer to heal, sometimes years when a normal bone fracture would heal in a month. It is evident that these biphosphonates are not bone builders, as we were led to believe, but bone hardeners, which impede healing of broken bones and lead to greater long term risk to fracture.
One of the leading researchers, Dr. Susan Ott of the University of Washington, Seattle, suggests that benefit stops after 5 years, and that after that period of time the drugs should be stopped. Unfortunately, the body has no natural detoxification pathway for biphosphonates, and it may take decades to get them out of the bones, putting users at risk long after the drugs have been discontinued.
Other problems associated with biphosphonates are:
- Destruction of the upper G.I. tract resulting in mouth, esophagus, and stomach damage ranging from heartburn to perforated ulcers to cancer. Instructions for proper usage must be followed implicitly to avoid damage. Esophageal cancer in biphosphonate users is now considered a “common” problem.
- Dentists are reporting a surge in osteonecrosis of the jaw, jaw rot, in biphosphonate users. If the jaw is damaged in any way it doesn’t heal, but deteriorates. The patients taking biphosphonates are generally elderly and prone to dental problems associated with aging and are therefore at much greater risk.
- Biphosphonates also double the risk of developing serious atrial fibrillation, a form of heart arrhythmias. Untreated atrial fibrillation can lead to fluid in the lungs, congestive heart failure and the formation of blood clots that may cause strokes.
Every new drug is ‘safe’ until it has been on the market for a decade or more. Then the long term research gets published and the honest side effects are brought to the attention of the public. Drugs alleviate pain and suffering, but they should be used by doctors who are interested in short term symptom relief while they search for underlying causes to the diseases and disorders that the drugs have been prescribed for. Patients need to be removed from their prescription medications as quickly as possible.
In most chronic disease, the cause according to authorities like the World Health Organization, is a lack of ‘genuine replacement parts.’ This is an excellent example of the mess that occurs when sunshine (Vitamin D) and minerals (Bone 350 Plus) which are ‘genuine replacement parts,’ are replaced by an artificial and potentially dangerous drug, biphosphonates.
