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Calcium
Dysregulation and Osteoporosis - Part 3: Understanding DEXA
Bone Scores
By John Steinke, LA.c.
Part 1 of
Calcium Dysregulation and Osteoporosis examined osteoporosis, the physiology of bone remodeling, and issues
surrounding conventional treatments for osteoporosis. Part 1 also
introduced the concept of restoring internal calcium regulation
(homeostasis) using a purified biogenic marine material, nacre,
to restore calcium metabolism and healthy bone formation.
Part 2 of
Calcium Dysregulation and Osteoporosis expanded on the concept of calcium homeostasis, including examples
of individuals who have benefited from supplementation with OsteoPhase,
a propritary nutritional supplement that combines natural nacre
with traditional bone-building Chinese herbs.
In this issue we examine DEXA bone density scores,
review the accumulation of health benefits over time, and address
the value of calcium supplements when taking OsteoPhase.
Many conditions have been associated with elevated
risk for developing osteoporosis and increased incidence of fractures
in men and women. Those most at risk include:
- Women 65 and older
- Post-menopausal women experiencing fractures
- Estrogen deficient women
- Individuals with vertebral abnormalities
- Individuals on glucocorticoid (steroid) therapy
- Individuals with primary hyperparathyroidism
The best way to determine your personal risk
is to have a bone mass density test. Several types of devices measure
loss in bone mass density and indicate development of osteoporosis
with a high degree of accuracy. These devices, such as DEXA (dual-energy
x-ray absorptiometry) and Achilles (ultrasonometer) scans, give
scores that indicate bone loss compared to normal healthy subjects.
It is important to be able to understand exactly
what your scores mean when reviewing your bone density tests. DEXA
scans, for instance, tell you what your actual Bone Mass Density
(BMD) is at each area measured in g/cm (squared). However, this
number by itself does not tell much, so researchers have devised
scales to better understand what your BMD scores actually mean.
These are the numbers you should locate in your report.
A T-score is the most important score on a DEXA scan. It reveals
the status of your bone density/bone loss by comparing your BMD
to the average healthy 30 year-old woman, or man, depending on
your sex. This is the score used to designate your condition
and to determine fracture risk.
The T-score (Table 1.) uses an exponential scale,
meaning that risk increases at a faster rate with higher a score.
A change from -2.0 in your T-score to -3.0 is far greater than
one from -1.0 to -2.0.
Instead of comparing BMD to that of a healthy
30-year old, the Z-score compares you to men or women of your age.
This score shows how well you are doing relative to the average
effects of aging on bone mass density. This score is not always
given on your bone scan report, but it is helpful to be able to
see your risk compared to others in your age group.
If you have had more than one DEXA scan your report should
indicate any changes in bone mass density since your previous
scan. This information indicates how fast you are losing
(or gaining) BMD in the period of time between scans. If
you have had more than two scans your most current report
should also list a percentage change from your baseline,
or first, score. This percentage indicates how much change
has occurred since your first test, rather than from your
previous test. This is also important in helping to determining
the trend of your BMD.
As a rough guideline, with normal,
healthy aging, you would expect to lose 1% of BMD per year.
Anything greater than
a 1% loss indicates accelerated loss and requires additional
attention to diet, exercise and supplementation.
You should look at, and understand, the scores for each area measured
to know where you are at greatest risk for fracture. It is common
for people to have normal, healthy bone tissue in one location
and severe osteoporosis in another. Some-times people have healthy
bone in the lower spine and extreme deterioration in the hip, or
vice versa.
What is missing from your scan reports is an
understanding of your actual fracture risk, which is why you would
want to take
a bone
scan in the first place. It is generally up to your physician
to interpret your scores, give you an idea of your risk of fracture
and then suggest corrective measures. Review the chart above
to
see what your relative risk of fracture is based on your T-score
for each bone tissue measured. Using the chart you can also determine
how much your fracture risk has changed between bones scans.
Each change of 1 standard deviation (SD) in your T-score accounts
for
a 50% change in fracture risk.
OsteoPhase is an advanced nutritional formula consisting of a proprietary
blend of herbal extracts and marine peptides that have been studied
for their role in supporting healthy bone structure and calcium
homeostasis. OsteoPhase has been shown to significantly reverse
bone loss and enhance bone density, as determined by bone mineral
density (BMD) measurements.
OsteoPhase is very safe for daily use.
The herbs in OsteoPhase are commonly used in health formulations
throughout Asia, the US
and Europe to aid in maintaining optimal health.
OsteoPhase exerts
its benefits while providing less than 125 mg. of calcium per
day – far below the 1000 to 1500 mg. recommended
in the US – indicating that OsteoPhase works by regulating
calcium homeostasis, not by calcium supplementation. OsteoPhase
regulates how calcium is used in the body to accomplish much more
than just strengthening bones. Additional benefits of regular use
include improved immune system function, enhanced cell regulation,
and improved overall health for both men and women. |
