by Kenda Robertson

Created on: October 08, 2010   Last Updated: October 10, 2010

Sometimes the “cure” for a disease can be worse than the disease itself. With the results of a recent study reported by the British Medical Journal on osteoporosis drugs, such as Actonel, Boniva, and Fosamax, this could be the case. New research shows that long-term use of these “bone-building” oral bisphosphonates may increase the risk of esophageal cancer.

According to a 2010-2025 Osteoporosis World Market Report, in 2009, osteoporosis generated more than $12 billion in pharmaceutical revenues. Good for drug companies but maybe not so good for consumers.

In 2008, the FDA cited 23 cases of esophageal cancer in Fosamax users in the U.S. and 31 cases in Europe and Japan. The new study released in 2010, found that long-term use of these drugs to prevent bones diseases like osteoporosis and osteopenia nearly doubled the users’ risk for the rare, but deadly, cancer.

BMJ reports: “The risk of esophageal cancer increased with 10 or more prescriptions for oral bisphosphonates and with prescriptions over about a five-year period.”

While the risk of contracting esophageal cancer from taking these drugs may still be low enough for many people to risk taking it, according to experts, the drugs still produce other harmful side effects. Users have reported increased eye inflammation and possible blindness, severe musculoskeletal pain, stomach ulcers, liver damage, kidney failure, osteonecrosos (jaw bone death) and, ironically, brittle bones.

Osteoporosis poses a serious health risk to 30 million Americans every year. It is a common condition of the bones that affects 1 in 3 women and 1 in 5 men over the age of 50. And the condition seems to be getting worse. Between 1990 and 2000, hip fractures rose 25 percent worldwide. Many experts believe the increase is due to our modern diet of over-processed foods and not getting the exercise we need to keep bones strong and healthy.

Dr. Joseph Mercola, founder of the natural health site at www.mercola.com, says the best way to strengthen your bones is not with drugs, but with lifestyle changes. He recommends:

-  Eating fresh fruits and vegetables. Particularly onions, which have been shown to increase bone density.

-  Eating high quality protein like organic free-range eggs and grass-fed meats.

-  Avoiding processed foods, soda and sugar.

-  Consuming a healthy balance of omega-6/omega-3 fats.

-  Eliminating gluten.

-  Getting plenty of Vitamins D and K.

-  Avoiding steroids.

-  Exercising.

For more information about the recent studies on these drugs and how you can prevent osteoporosis naturally, visit:

WebMD.com

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20813820

www.mercola.com

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