Bisphosphonate bone drugs caught in compromising position

While you may not think to turn to The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism for breaking scandals, I recently saw troubling news about bisphosphonate bone drugs that I believe deserves some big headlines.

A new study shows that the popular bone drug therapy — Fosamax, Actonel, Boniva and Reclast — actually blocks the effectiveness of two natural bone builders.

Specifically, a team of international researchers showed there’s a vicious circle effect when it comes to the relationship between nitrogen – bisphosphonates and the levels of coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) and vitamin E. In the case of CoQ10, the drugs compromise the metabolic pathways essential for its synthesis, resulting in lower levels in those using drugs. Plus, researchers suggested that the lack of the needed CoQ10 places additional demands on vitamin E, resulting in significantly reduced levels of that key antioxidant too!

If you don’t have the proper levels of CoQ10 and vitamin E in your body, here’s what your body is missing:

Benefits of vitamin E:

• Protects essential lipids from oxidative damage body-wide.
• Works synergistically with vitamin C for halting spinal bone loss in elderly women.
• Low levels are associated with osteoporosis and low spinal bone density in early postmenopausal women.

Benefits of CoQ10:

• Enhances immunity, and protects the heart and skeletal muscles.
• Known to play a key role in cellular energy production and is found in nearly all cell membranes.
• Works in conjunction with vitamin E to protect against free radical damage.
• Inhibits the development of osteoclast bone-breakdown cells.

Remember that my intention #4 for 2014 is Sharing the truth about bone drugs. The more you know about bone drugs, the more you are empowered to make the right decision for your individual situation.

 

References:

Kalyan, S, et al. Nitrogen – bisphosphonate therapy is linked to compromise coenzyme Q 10 and vitamin E status in postmenopausal women. Jr Clin Endocrin, Jan 13, 2014 me

Xu. Et al. Vitamin E Stimulates trabecular bone formation and alters epiphyseal cartilage morphometry. Calcif Tissue Int. 1995 Oct; 54(4):293-300.

Chuin A, et al., Effect of antioxidants combined resistance training on BMD in elderly women: A pilot study.Osteoporosis Int., 2009, Jul; (20 (7):1253-8

Mata-Granados JM, et al. Lower vitamin E serum levels are associated with osteoporosis in early postmenopausal women: a cross-sectional study, J Bone Miner Metab 2013, Mar 28

Moon, H-J, et al., Coenzyme Q10 regulates osteoclast and osteoblast differentiation. Jr of Food Science, Vol. 78, issue 5, May 2013: H785-H791. DOI:http://dx.dol.org/10.1210/jc.2013-3648 Moon, H-j et al. Antioxidants, like CQ 10, selenite and curcumin inhibit osteoclast differentiation by suppressing reactive oxygen species generation. Biochem and Biophys Res. Comm. Vol 418, issue 2, Feb 10, 2012:247-253.