Osteopenia

Question:

Do you have any articles on Osteopenia regarding exercise/nutrition recommendations?

Answer:

If you, a loved one, or a client are suffering from Osteopenia or Osteoporosis, or ANY OTHER condition so aptly labeled as one of the “chronic diseases of aging,” (i.e. heart disease, cancer, arthritis, etc.), then I urge you to read and take the following pages of information to heart.

Research has clearly shown that internal disease states such as those listed above are a result of any number of complex internal metabolic disorders, and not simply one of the mysteries and/or hazards of “chance” or “bad luck” as some would choose to believe. While factors such as heredity and genetics may contribute to an extent, that contribution must not be taken out of context as it is now clear that lifestyle factors such as: faulty nutrition, disrupted sleep/wake cycles, excess stress, environmental toxins (pollution), and lack of movement (exercise) are ultimately what triggers the cascade and decline of a given individual’s health, or “phenotype” (i.e. the expression of one’s genetic blueprint, or “genotype”). Seventy-five percent of an individual’s health after age 40 is dependent upon what the person has done to his or her genes, not the genes themselves.(1, 2) In most cases, disease results when the individual elects a lifestyle or diet that alters the expression of the genes in such a way that the weakness or uniqueness of inheritance factors results in a phenotype we call a “disease.”(1, 2) Paralleled to these facts, in the year 2000, eight of the top ten causes of death were related to nutrition!(2, 13)

The conditions of Osteopenia and Osteoporosis (the first - a condition where bone mass is in the beginning phases of decline; and the latter - the advanced condition where the bone mass has declined significantly and is at the risk of fracture), as well as virtually all internal disease states, have unfortunately been shrouded in much industrially and economically driven controversy. This controversy is NOT the focus of this article, although it should be noted that this controversy does indeed serve to benefit the multi-billion dollar per year pharmaceutical and food processing companies.

Current “allopathic” medicine (the type of treatment you get when you go to the hospital or call your family MD), would typically delve out the following generic nutritional guidelines for Osteopenia and Osteoporosis...

The nutritional recommendations for osteopenia are fundamentally the same as those for osteoporosis. The patient is asked to eat at least three servings of dairy products daily, yogurt, milk, and cheese each day. The patient is also advised to take 1500 mg. of supplemental calcium and 400 IU of vitamin D daily. The calcium supplementation is not optional, it is in addition to the dairy products.(11)

This may appear to be a reasonable solution, and indeed, it fits within the modern medical establishment’s “usual and customary” mode of thinking. Yet, when the scientific legitimacy of these guidelines is analyzed, many problems arise... ...

“Eat at least three servings of dairy products daily, yogurt, milk, and cheese each day”

One cannot simply imply and/or assume that all dairy products are created equal. The above advice to consume yogurt, milk, and cheese every day makes no mention of what TYPE or SOURCE of dairy. If the dairy is processed (i.e. PASTEURIZED, HOMOGENIZED, & NON-ORGANIC) as it all will be in the large chain grocery stores of the US, than not only will these products have absolutely NO EFFECT to improve the Osteopenia, but they may indeed ENCOURAGE the condition to advance into OSTEOPOROSIS. This is for a few different reasons...

• When PASTEURIZED, dairy loses its natural supply of vitamins, minerals, and most importantly - ENZYMES. These enzymes are what enable the body to utilize the milk's vital nutrients such as CALCIUM. There is also evidence that now suggests that the pasteurization process can make lactose (milk sugar) MORE bioavailable to the body, suggesting the strong link between avid processed milk drinkers and diabetes.(6, 10)

• When HOMOGENIZED, the fats become rancid and oxidized at an unnaturally fast rate, increasing the risk of heart disease. This process also can cause incomplete protein digestion and allergies to milk. Food allergies such as this can lead to GI inflammation and stress, which can in turn lead to disease.

• When dairy is produced NON-ORGANICALLY, the many toxins present (i.e. pesticides, herbicides, fungicides, rBGH hormones, antibiotics, genetically modified elements, hydrogenated oils, etc.) can cause the above noted GI inflammation and any number of countless disease states.

It is for these reasons that the consumption of dairy, particularly with the intent of improving Osteopenia/Osteoporosis, must be done in RAW/ORGANIC form, or not at all.

“Take 1500 mg. of supplemental calcium and 400 IU of vitamin D daily”

To get right to the point, this is all HIGHLY RELATIVE to BIOCHEMICAL INDIVIDUALITY. Which means: Depending on one’s genetics/heredity, these guidelines may be absolutely irrelevant, and in fact, may make matters WORSE!

Wolcott's research in his very important book, "The Metabolic Typing Diet," clearly shows how adding calcium to the diets of some, for example a "sympathetically dominant and/or slow oxidizer" can actually CONTRIBUTE to the disease state of Osteopenia and Osteoporosis in certain people! The same can be said for vitamin D. (Please see diagram 1 below) The point is that the "grab-bag" approach that allopathic medicine takes has/is/will continue to fail because they have yet to embrace the essential reality that biochemical individuality truly is. Hence they seek only to treat symptoms with “pharmacology,” rather than to uncover underlying causes so as to prevent and cure with “naturopathy.”

And finally, the TYPE and SOURCE of calcium will be of paramount importance as well. With the boom of nutritional supplements has come with it a host of inferior product lines. When this is not taken into account, the body will simply eliminate it! Some synthetic forms of vitamins and minerals being sold currently have even been found to be TOXIC!

By now you’re probably wondering what the solution is... it’s simpler than you might think, and it’s been around for decades!

“Metabolic Typing”... the essence of BIOCHEMICAL INDIVIDUALITY

The following detailed information will be coming directly from “The Metabolic Typing Diet,” by Wolcott and Fahey (15, 16), which I recommend making a reading priority if you haven’t done so already! Other metabolic typing resources are listed at the end of this article.

Metabolic typing is based on the fact that over thousands of years of evolutionary history, people in different parts of the world developed very distinct nutritional needs (biochemical individuality), in response to a whole range of variables, including climate and geography and whatever plant and animal life their environments had to offer. As a result, people today have widely varying nutrient requirements, especially with regard to MACRONUTRIENTS - the PROTEINS, CARBOHYDRATES, and FATS that are the fundamental dietary “building blocks” most essential to sustaining life. We all need a full spectrum of nutrients. But, different people have genetically programmed requirements for different amounts of various nutrients. It is these differing genetically based requirements that explain why a certain nutrient can cause one person to feel GOOD, have NO EFFECT on another, and cause a third person to feel WORSE.

The bottom line is this: Unless you acquire all the nutrients for which you have a genetically programmed need, your cells’ ability to perform their functions will be impaired! When you eat according to your own unique hereditary requirements, as opposed to following some universal dos and don’ts or randomly prescribed dietary advice, it’s entirely possible that you can:

• PREVENT & REVERSE DEGENERATIVE DISEASE (such as Osteopenia & Osteoporosis)
• Strengthen you immune system
• Achieve and maintain your ideal weight
• Optimize physical energy and mental clarity
• Overcome mood swings and depression
• Enhance athletic performance and endurance

Metabolic typing is based on the synergy of the body’s nine fundamental homeostatic control mechanisms (FHC’s). These nine FHC’s regulate all the biochemical reactions taking place in the body at any given moment.

All chronic diseases (including OSTEOPENIA & OSTEOPOROSIS) have one thing in common: They involve an imbalance in one or more of these control mechanisms.

Wolcott’s research has shown the most influential of these to be the OXIDATIVE SYSTEM (i.e. slow, fast, mixed), and the AUTONOMIC NERVOUS SYSTEM (i.e. sympathetic, parasympathetic, balanced). Thus, a convenient testing system was developed to aid in determining which of the THREE BASIC METABOLIC TYPES one might be:

• CARB TYPE = (Sympathetic dominant, slow oxidizers) Require low-protein, low-fat, high carbohydrate diets

• PROTEIN TYPE = (Parasympathetic dominant, fast oxidizers) Require high-protein, high-fat, low carbohydrate diets

• MIXED TYPE = (Balanced autonomic nervous system dominant, mixed oxidizers) Require relatively equal amounts of proteins, fats, & carbs

There’s no single greater influence on your health than the food you eat several times a day, every single day of your life. Accordingly then, one must first identify the specific raw materials that will support the body’s unique biochemical requirements, and then supply them in the right combinations. Then, simply step aside and let your body repair, rebuild, and regulate itself!

Here’s a crucial point you need to understand: Contrary to conventional wisdom, Osteoporosis is NOT a calcium deficiency per se. It’s actually a dysfunction or inefficiency in calcium metabolism and bone metabolism. So there are some people with Osteoporosis who do need to obtain calcium, and plenty of it. Yet, for some metabolic types, taking more calcium only worsens Osteoporosis by creating a relative excess of calcium, there by accelerating deficiencies in other synergistic nutrients. This in turn accelerates the rate of calcium loss from bone tissue where it should be held.

These imbalances are caused primarily by POOR NUTRITION (i.e. NOT eating for one’s metabolic type). When considering currently how poorly many are eating, in concert with the length of time they’ve done so (years); it’s not hard to understand that the body’s only reaction is to “fail” and become diseased. Metabolic typing is used to uncover and correct imbalances in these regulatory mechanisms. (Please see diagram 2 below) Naturally, special cases, such as those with Osteopenia and Osteoporosis, may warrant the advanced care and guidance of a professional such as an N.D. (doctor of naturopathy), and/or a Metabolic Typing Advisor. This is because advanced disease states such as Osteoporosis may require a more in depth analysis of the individual’s metabolic dysfunction(s) than can be provided by the above three basic metabolic categories.

In Conclusion...

Disease does not happen by chance or bad luck. Likewise, science has clearly shown that how well - or poorly - one lives life is the ultimate determinate of health, or lack there of. Allopathic medicine has gone the way of the dollar bill under the heavy and powerful influence of the great pharmaceutical companies. However, the general public is not without responsibility. For it is this public’s expectations, based on their media-driven education and perception on medical care, that place large amounts of pressure on MDs to provide instant “quick fix” types of treatments. These circumstances have forced those with enough curiosity and concern to look elsewhere for the relief they need. If you desire more information, for the health of yourself, a client, or a loved one, or perhaps simply for the education; then I suggest taking full advantage of the resources provided by wonderful organizations such as: Healthexcel, the AANP (American Association of Naturopathic Physicians), and the C.H.E.K Institute. These organizations have worked hard to maintain the truth and integrity it requires to teach and practice true medicine. Be Healthy.

(NOTE: This chart and information was interpreted from “The Metabolic Typing Diet” by Wolcott & Fahey, pp. 96)

(NOTE: This chart and information was interpreted from “The Metabolic Typing Diet” by Wolcott & Fahey, pp. 67; as well as Healthexcel’s “MT Guide” pp. 1.5-1.8)

For an Alternative Response to this Question please read - Osteopenia By Dr. John Mamana

CONTACT:
“FOUR HEALTH”
Nutrition, Fitness, & Lifestyle Coaching
Noah Hittner, BS, CHEK-NLC, PES, RTS, CPT
(763) 234-5676
nhittner@fourhealth.info
www.fourhealth.info

REFERENCES & RECOMMENDED READING

1. Bland, JS. PhD. (1999). Genetic Nutritioneering.
2. Chek, P. Optimal Health and Fitness Through Practical Nutrition and Lifestyle Coaching. NLC-Level II certification course manual, A C.H.E.K Institute Publication and Production, 2003.
3. Chek, P. (2004). How to Eat, Move and Be Healthy! C.H.E.K Institute.
4. Chek, P. (2002). Under the Veil of Deception. C.H.E.K Institute.
5. Cohen, (1998). Milk, The Deadly Poison.
6. Fallon, S. (2001) Nourishing Traditions.
7. Flatten Your Abs Forever by Paul Chek. Video Cassette. C.H.E.K Institute, 2000.
8. Hittner, N. “Sleep, Water, & Food - Three Books To Make You Smarter Than Your Doctor!” Personal Training on the Net. Online. Internet. 2003.
9. Hittner, N. “Want Abs?” (Parts 1 & 2) Personal Training on the Net. Online.  Internet. 2003.
10. Hittner, N. “Dear God,,, Don’t Eat That!” (Parts 1 - 3) Personal Training on the Net. Online.  Internet. 2004.
11. Mamana, J. MD. “Osteopenia” Personal Training on the Net. Online. Internet. 2004.
12. Rampton, S., & Stauber, J. (2002). Trust Us, We’re Experts!
13. Robert, SM. (1998). Why Zebra Don’t Get Ulcers.
14. Williams, R. J. (1998). Biochemical Individuality. 2nd Ed.
15. Wolcott, W; Fahey, T. (2000). The Metabolic Typing Diet.
16. Wolcott, W. “To Succeed at Any Diet, You Must Know Your Metabolic Type.” (Parts 1 &2) Online. www.mercola.com, Internet. 2002.

RESOURCES

www.MetabolicTyping.com

www.healthexcel.com

Ultra Life:

(800) 323-3842

www.ultralifeinc.com

Price-Pottenger Foundation:

(619) 574-7763

www.price-pottenger.org

AANP:

www.naturopathic.org

C.H.E.K Institute:

www.chekinstitute.com