Can Special Scale Prevent Osteoporosis?

It’s a miracle promise, but is it also a miracle cure?

That’s what osteoporosis patients are wondering after learning about a new scale that’s supposed to be able to strengthen their bones without the need for drugs.

The Juvent 1,000 (top left) works by sending low level vibrations through your body to stimulate muscle movement. It’s known as Dynamic Motion Therapy (DMT) and it’s believed to help bone development and prevent the kind of fractures the disease causes.

But using the device requires a long term commitment and a big wallet. – it takes 20 minutes a day and you have to stand on it for nine months. The cost: about US$5,550.

Some lab tests appear to show it works and the makers have what may be the best endorsement of all. NASA has purchased the scales and will send them to the International Space Station next year, to help prevent the kind of bone loss that’s normal after long term exposure to a weightless atmosphere.

When doctors told Penny Williams she was losing bone density, she gave the gizmo a whirl.

“I plug it into the wall. I hop aboard and then I either read a book or I watch TV.”

She claims she can feel the difference.

But before you go out and buy one, there are some bones of contention. Not everyone is convinced this miracle machine does what it promises.

Among the doubters: Osteoporosis Canada, the main lobby in the search for a cure in this country.

“Osteoporosis Canada does not at this time advocate use of the Juvent Platform, or any similar DMT platforms,” a statement on its website reads.

The group is waiting for more tests before endorsing the scale or the science behind it.

One of those is taking place at Toronto General Hospital, which is looking for volunteers. Click here or call (416) 340-4800 ext 8601 to find out if you qualify to take part in their study.

To find about more about the Juvent 1,000, click here.

Osteoporosis Primer

It’s sometimes referred to as the “silent thief” because it transforms the body without any apparent symptoms, and for the one in four women in this country who will be affected by it, the diagnosis often comes too late.

The disease is osteoporosis, and it basically refers to the weakening of a person’s bones, which leaves them susceptible to potentially dangerous fractures – usually in the hips.

Though it can occur at any age, the condition is most common in women over 50. That’s because after women have gone through menopause, they produce less estrogen – a hormone that’s essential in keeping bones strong. Bone loss can occur at an alarming rate for women post-menopause, as much as two to five per cent a year.

About 1.4 million Canadians are currently diagnosed with the disease.

And though new tests being developed can help determine a person’s risk for fractures, which can lead to disability or even death, the best way to protect oneself from the disease is still prevention.

What is it?

Osteoporosis is disease that causes bones to become fragile and therefore very easy to fracture with the hips, the spine and wrist being the areas most at risk. The disease is characterized by low bone mass and the deterioration of bone tissue.

According to Osteoporosis Canada, one in four women over the age of 50 will get the disease and one in eight men.

Major Risk Factors

• being 65 or older
• having a family history of osteoporotic fracture (especially if your mother had a hip fracture)
• having a vertebral compression fracture, or a fracture with minimal trauma after age 40
• long-term (more than 3 months) use of glucocorticoid therapy such as prednisone
• medical conditions (such as celiac or Crohn’s disease) that inhibit absorption of nutrients
• primary hyperparathyroidism
• tendency to fall
• osteopenia apparent on x-ray
• hypogonadism
• early menopause (before age 45)

Minor Risk Factors

• rheumatoid arthritis
• hyperthyroidism
• prolonged use of anticonvulsants
• body weight less than 57 kg (125 lbs)
• present weight more than 10 percent below weight at age 25
• low calcium intake
• excess caffeine (consistently more than 4 cups a day of coffee, tea or cola)
• excess alcohol (consistently more than 2 drinks a day)
• smoking

Estrogen levels play a big role in bone tissue and in the first five to ten years after menopause, rapid bone loss begins. All post-menopausal women and men are advised to talk to their doctors about being assessed for the symptoms of osteoporosis.

Prevention:

It starts young –  women build up 98 percent of their skeletal mass by the age of 20. There are steps you can take in adulthood to prevent this disease, which include:

• A balanced diet rich in calcium and vitamin D
• Weight-bearing and resistance-training exercises
• A healthy lifestyle with no smoking or excessive alcohol intake
• Talking to your doctor about bone health
• Bone density testing and medication when appropriate

Source: Osteoporosis Canada

How much calcium/vitamin D do I need?

Calcium is important for building strong bones in childhood and maintaining good bone density throughout adulthood. It’s also important to get the right amount of Vitamin D, because it aids in the absorption of calcium. Here’s a look at how much you should be getting everyday:

Age 4 – 8  

Calcium: 800mg

Vitamin D: 200 IUs

Age 9 – 18

Calcium: 1300mg  

Vitamin D: 200 IUs

Age: 19 – 50

Calcium: 100mg

Vitamin D: 400 IUs  

Age: 50+

Calcium: 1500mg

Vitamin D: 800 IUs

Pregnant or lactating women over 18

Calcium: 1000mg

Vitamin D: 400 IUs

How do I choose the right supplement?

Supplements are meant for people who aren’t getting enough calcium in their diet and there are a number of products on the market, the most popular being calcium carbonate.

Osteoporosis Canada advises looking for a product that states the amount of elemental calcium per tablet, ie. 1000mg of calcium carbonate contains 400mg of calcium.

Also, look for products that have a Drug Identification Number (D.I.N.) or a General Product (G.P.) number – that lets you know that it meets Canadian standards. The American equivalent is the United States Pharmacopoeia (U.S.P.) number.

To maximize the absorption of calcium, Osteoporosis Canada recommends doing the following:

• Take calcium carbonate with food or immediately after eating
• Take calcium with plenty of water
• Take no more than 500 mg of elemental calcium at one time

What are some good dietary sources of calcium?

Dairy products such as milk, cheese and yogurt are great sources of easily absorbed calcium. Vegetables are also a great source, as are fish products containing bones (canned sardines and salmon) and meat alternatives like lentils and beans.

Osteoporosis Canada also advises you to pay attention to foods you’re eating that may cause calcium loss including caffeinated products and salty foods.  

Sources: Public Health Agency of Canada, Osteoporosis Canada and National Osteoporosis Foundation.