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Traditional Chinese Medicine & Osteoporosis
According to reports from China, Traditional Chinese Medicine may be very
helpful for women concerned about osteoporosis following the menopause.
In one study (1), forty eight perimenopausal women were divided into
premenopausal (PrM) and post menopausal (PoM) groups, and they were
then sub-divided into Chinese medicinal herbs (CM) and hormone therapy
treatment groups with a further twelve middle aged women serving as
controls.
The results showed that the treatment group had more balanced hormone
levels , much higher levels of calcium in both their blood and urine than the
control group and a significantly stronger bone density. In fact, the results
were so good that the study was followed up with a further research project
at the Xiehe Hospital, Tongji Medical University, Wuhan, China involving forty
three healthy menopausal women.
The women were divided into two groups similar in age and menopausal
period. The Chinese herb , Bushen Migu Ye (BSMGY) , was given to the post
menopausal women and the researchers then monitored the effects on the
bone density and serum calcium levels in the women with biochemical
parameters related to bone metabolism, serum estradiol and forearm bone
density which were taken before and then after treatment.
The results showed that 5 months after the treatment, the ulnar and radial
bone mineral content was higher than that of pre-treatmental value , while in
control group this index was continually decreased. The change in bone
density were considered to be statistically significant. The researchers
concluded that BSMGY is able to prevent the bone loss in post-menopausal
women. This preliminary study suggested that one of the therapeutic
mechanism of BSMGY was probably due to its effect on the reduction of
bone resorption, but had no primary effect on the bone formation in post
menopausal women.
(1) Huang YH; Ye XQ [Bone metabolism and Chinese medicinal treatment of
menopausal osteoporosis] Chung Kuo Chung Hsi I Chieh Ho Tsa Chih
(CHINA) Sep 1993, 13 (9) p522-4, 515
(2)Shen L; Du JY; Yang JY [Preliminary clinical study on prevention of bone
loss in post menopausal women with kidney invigoration] Chung Kuo
Chung Hsi I Chieh Ho Tsa Chih (CHINA) Sep 1994, 14 (9) p515-8,
return to top
Vegetarianism & Osteoporosis
Osteoporosis is the loss of calcium from bone tissue, leading to bones that
are brittle and liable to fracture. It is most commonly seen in
postmenopausal women.
Some studies have suggested that vegetarians may be at lower risk of
osteoporosis than non-vegetarians. Marsh (1988) found bone loss to be
considerably less in postmenopausal women who were vegetarian than
those who were non-vegetarian. The non-vegetarian diet contained higher
amounts of sulphur, which derived from animal protein. Dietary sulphur
increases the acidity of urine, which results in increased urinary calcium
loss. Increased urinary calcium loss is related to increased calcium loss
from bone tissue.
Hip fractures associated with osteoporosis has been shown to be higher in
countries consuming a diet high in animal protein (Abe low, 1992).
return to top
Nutritional therapy & Osteoporosis
There is an increasing tendency for post-menopausal women to be advised
to take HRT to treat and prevent osteoporosis. Evidence from large
observation studies both in Scandinavia and the US claim that a reduction of
the order of 40% of osteoporotic hip fractures may be expected from HRT.
However, not all clinicians agree that post-menopausal women should
automatically be prescribed HRT and suggest that, at the very least, there is
a need to identify high risk groups before embarking on therapy. Such
groups would include those involved in long term corticosteroid or thyroxine
users, early hysterectomy or oophorectomy patients, patients with coronary
artery disease, diabetics and familial hyperlipidaemia cases.
Substantial double blinded trials involving randomised controls are difficult
(if not impossible) in this complex area. Many patients are also sometimes
not entirely happy about the potential side effects which can result from
manipulating their hormone state. Evidence shows that nutritional therapy
can help in the prevention and treatment of osteoporosis. Another recent
review of common risk factors for both osteoporosis and coronary heart
disease (increasing age, female sex, family history, smoking, alcohol
abuse, premature menopause, female hypogonadism and lack of exercise)
tabulates specific risk factors which, for osteoporosis, include gastrectomy,
malabsorption syndromes, long term corticosteroid use, and high dietary
intake of animal protein. One more natural therapy which has been shown to
affect osteoporosis is Chinese herbal medicine. In light of the accumulating
evidence, it seems ridiculous that current anti-osteoporosis approaches in
conventional medicine continue to overlook cheap and safe therapeutic
modalities.
1.La Rose, J.C., Has HRT come of age? Lancet 1995; 345; 76-77
2.Coope, J.K.M., HRT, a General Practice approach: how to reach the most
vulnerable BJCP 1996; 50:38-40
3.Waine C., Prevention of both osteoporosis and coronary heart disease,
BJCP 1996; 50: 44-46
According to reports from China, Traditional Chinese Medicine may be very
helpful for women concerned about osteoporosis following the menopause.
In one study (1), forty eight perimenopausal women were divided into
premenopausal (PrM) and post menopausal (PoM) groups, and they were
then sub-divided into Chinese medicinal herbs (CM) and hormone therapy
treatment groups with a further twelve middle aged women serving as
controls.
The results showed that the treatment group had more balanced hormone
levels , much higher levels of calcium in both their blood and urine than the
control group and a significantly stronger bone density. In fact, the results
were so good that the study was followed up with a further research project
at the Xiehe Hospital, Tongji Medical University, Wuhan, China involving forty
three healthy menopausal women.
The women were divided into two groups similar in age and menopausal
period. The Chinese herb , Bushen Migu Ye (BSMGY) , was given to the post
menopausal women and the researchers then monitored the effects on the
bone density and serum calcium levels in the women with biochemical
parameters related to bone metabolism, serum estradiol and forearm bone
density which were taken before and then after treatment.
The results showed that 5 months after the treatment, the ulnar and radial
bone mineral content was higher than that of pre-treatmental value , while in
control group this index was continually decreased. The change in bone
density were considered to be statistically significant. The researchers
concluded that BSMGY is able to prevent the bone loss in post-menopausal
women. This preliminary study suggested that one of the therapeutic
mechanism of BSMGY was probably due to its effect on the reduction of
bone resorption, but had no primary effect on the bone formation in post
menopausal women.
(1) Huang YH; Ye XQ [Bone metabolism and Chinese medicinal treatment of
menopausal osteoporosis] Chung Kuo Chung Hsi I Chieh Ho Tsa Chih
(CHINA) Sep 1993, 13 (9) p522-4, 515
(2)Shen L; Du JY; Yang JY [Preliminary clinical study on prevention of bone
loss in post menopausal women with kidney invigoration] Chung Kuo
Chung Hsi I Chieh Ho Tsa Chih (CHINA) Sep 1994, 14 (9) p515-8,
return to top
Vegetarianism & Osteoporosis
Osteoporosis is the loss of calcium from bone tissue, leading to bones that
are brittle and liable to fracture. It is most commonly seen in
postmenopausal women.
Some studies have suggested that vegetarians may be at lower risk of
osteoporosis than non-vegetarians. Marsh (1988) found bone loss to be
considerably less in postmenopausal women who were vegetarian than
those who were non-vegetarian. The non-vegetarian diet contained higher
amounts of sulphur, which derived from animal protein. Dietary sulphur
increases the acidity of urine, which results in increased urinary calcium
loss. Increased urinary calcium loss is related to increased calcium loss
from bone tissue.
Hip fractures associated with osteoporosis has been shown to be higher in
countries consuming a diet high in animal protein (Abe low, 1992).
return to top
Nutritional therapy & Osteoporosis
There is an increasing tendency for post-menopausal women to be advised
to take HRT to treat and prevent osteoporosis. Evidence from large
observation studies both in Scandinavia and the US claim that a reduction of
the order of 40% of osteoporotic hip fractures may be expected from HRT.
However, not all clinicians agree that post-menopausal women should
automatically be prescribed HRT and suggest that, at the very least, there is
a need to identify high risk groups before embarking on therapy. Such
groups would include those involved in long term corticosteroid or thyroxine
users, early hysterectomy or oophorectomy patients, patients with coronary
artery disease, diabetics and familial hyperlipidaemia cases.
Substantial double blinded trials involving randomised controls are difficult
(if not impossible) in this complex area. Many patients are also sometimes
not entirely happy about the potential side effects which can result from
manipulating their hormone state. Evidence shows that nutritional therapy
can help in the prevention and treatment of osteoporosis. Another recent
review of common risk factors for both osteoporosis and coronary heart
disease (increasing age, female sex, family history, smoking, alcohol
abuse, premature menopause, female hypogonadism and lack of exercise)
tabulates specific risk factors which, for osteoporosis, include gastrectomy,
malabsorption syndromes, long term corticosteroid use, and high dietary
intake of animal protein. One more natural therapy which has been shown to
affect osteoporosis is Chinese herbal medicine. In light of the accumulating
evidence, it seems ridiculous that current anti-osteoporosis approaches in
conventional medicine continue to overlook cheap and safe therapeutic
modalities.
1.La Rose, J.C., Has HRT come of age? Lancet 1995; 345; 76-77
2.Coope, J.K.M., HRT, a General Practice approach: how to reach the most
vulnerable BJCP 1996; 50:38-40
3.Waine C., Prevention of both osteoporosis and coronary heart disease,
BJCP 1996; 50: 44-46