New Book Contends That Dairy Products Contribute to Osteoporosis
News about bone fractures caused by bisphosphonates, including the filing of Fosamax lawsuits by users who have suffered injury, might have some osteoporosis sufferers looking for natural remedies to combat the bone disease. One such remedy, increased consumption of dairy products, has long been recommended by experts who believe that the calcium in foods like milk and cheese help to build strong bones. But according to a professor who recently authored a book on bone health, dairy foods may actually contribute to osteoporosis.
Animal Products Could Cause Bones to Lose Calcium
In reaching her surprising conclusion, Amy Joy Lanou, an assistant professor at the University of North Carolina at Asheville, examined more than 1,200 studies from the past three decades. The basis of her findings has to do with the way the body strives to prevent blood from becoming too acidic.
Lanou’s thinking goes like this: Animal protein—whether consumed as meat or dairy products—breaks down into amino acids. When amino acids are present in the body, calcium (an alkaline compound) is removed from bones in an effort to balance blood pH. To demonstrate this point, Lanou notes that people who eat high-protein diets have larger amounts of calcium in their urine.
In order to prevent bones from losing calcium, Lanou recommends that people reduce their animal protein intake to one or two servings per day and consume more fruits and vegetables.
It should be pointed out, however, that Lanou’s theory is disputed by some experts. Purdue University Professor Connie Weaver, for example, says that, “We now have studies that show if more calcium is lost in the urine, more is absorbed from the intestinal tract to compensate for that loss—without having to eat more calcium.”
Most Prescribed Osteoporosis Medications Carry Risks
There’s no disputing that maintaining a healthy diet, along with a proper exercise regime, is important for preventing osteoporosis, but among patients for whom diet and exercise are not enough to prevent bone loss, drugs called bisphosphonates may additionally be prescribed.
These bone-strengthening drugs, sold under brand names such as Fosamax, Boniva, and Actonel, have help millions of patients prevent fractures. But in a strange twist, they may actually contribute to bone injuries in some patients.
Numerous studies have supported this claim and prompted injured bisphosphonate users to take legal action against the drugs’ manufacturers. The most-targeted drugmaker is Merck & Co., Inc., which has been served with thousands of lawsuits that allege Fosamax causes osteonecrosis of the jaw (ONJ) and atypical femur fracture. The majority of these Fosamax lawsuits are contained in two federal mass torts in New York and New Jersey federal courts.
RLG Can Help With a Fosamax Lawsuit
If you suffered a femur fracture while taking Fosamax, the Rottenstein Law Group wants you to know you may have legal recourse. A Fosamax lawsuit could result in compensation for your pain, suffering, and financial losses, but you risk recovering nothing without experienced legal counsel (learn more in our free Fosamax brochure). To speak to a member of RLG, a firm with more than 25 years of collective experience protecting the rights of injured consumers, fill out this form or call 1-877-332-2347.
