Bone Health Protocol (Osteoporosis)

Osteoporosis means low bone density (T-score of -2.5 or lower on DEXA) or a fragility fracture. About 10 million Americans have it and about 44 million more have low bone mass (osteopenia, T-score between -1.0 and -2.5). Women after menopause are most affected because estrogen protects bone. Bone is living tissue, not just calcium: it needs protein, collagen, vitamin D, vitamin K, magnesium and trace minerals, plus load from exercise. Resistance training is the strongest lifestyle step: bone adapts to the force placed on it, and supervised heavy training has improved bone density in small trials of women with low bone mass. Balance work matters because falls cause most fractures, and a hip fracture is serious: about 1 in 5 older adults dies within a year after one. Vitamin D and K2 work together: vitamin D helps absorb calcium and K2 activates proteins that place it in bone. Calcium from food is preferred, since studies on calcium supplements and heart risk are mixed. A specific collagen peptide product raised spine and hip density slightly in one trial of postmenopausal women. Strontium is debated: part of its effect on DEXA is a measurement artifact, and the prescription form was restricted in Europe over heart and clot risks. Hormone therapy started near menopause can preserve bone in some women; a licensed clinician decides whether it fits. Too much thyroid hormone speeds bone loss, so dosing is checked by the prescriber. These steps can slow bone loss and support density, but changes are slow and modest. For osteoporosis with a high fracture risk, bone medicines lower fracture risk, and this protocol works alongside them. Any change to a prescribed medicine is made by your prescriber.