Paleo Diet and Paleolithic Diet Questions & Answers

Question

1

My very fit and otherwise healthy mother has an inoperable nodule on her parathyroid, which is causing her inherited osteoporosis to kick into high gear. A recent bone scan revealed a 5% loss of density in her spine over the past year. Her doc has her on Fosomax and has told her the outlook is bleak - not if she breaks bones but when - and that surgery is not an option due to scar tissue from a previous surgery.

I've read a little on paleo benefiting osteoporosis in general, but am stumped as it relates to the complications associated with hyperparathyroidism. Are there any dietary mechanisms that could potentially down-regulate parathyroid activity and slow her bone loss?

Any thoughts or personal experience?

Thanks, Chris

flag	asked Apr 27 2011 at 18:21 Riveted 3,717●1●5●20

Dexter · Accepted Answer · 2011-04-27 21:23:56Z UTC

Hyperparathyroidism is overactivity of the parathyroid glands resulting in excess production of parathyroid hormone (PTH). The parathyroid hormone regulates calcium and phosphate levels and helps to maintain these levels. Excessive PTH secretion may be due to problems in the glands themselves, in which case it is referred to as primary hyperparathryroidism and which leads to hypercalcemia (raised calcium levels). It may also occur in response to low calcium levels, as encountered in various situations such as vitamin D deficiency or chronic kidney disease; this is referred to as secondary hyperparathyroidism. In all cases, the raised PTH levels are harmful to bone, and treatment is often needed.[1] Recent evidence suggests that Vitamin D deficiency/insufficiency plays a role in the development of hyperparathyroidism.[2] Lithium is associated with an increased incidence of hyperparathyroidism.[3]

WIKIPEDIA

I have not heard anything good about Fosomax. The worst I have heard of is Foxomax can lead to deterioration of the jaw bone. Not good.

We do know that maintaining an optium level of serum Vit D3 assists moving calcium into the bones which prevents osteoporosis. Vit D3 also assists and activates killer T cells to go out and find invading virus' and bacterias...increasing the immune system. And Vit D3 can help in healing/preventing dental problems. And it does improve mood.

If she were my MOM, I would get rid of the Fosomax and start her on a Vit D3 supplement program of 20,000IU a day for a couple of months, then down to 10000IU daily for 2 months then down to 5000IU a day. I would bet that she is severely deficient now in Vit D3 as is 80% of the population. Dr K on PH wants his patients to be in the reference range of 70 to 100 ng/mL Have her Vit D3 level tested either by her physician or she can get a ZRT finger prick test sent to her from:

http://www.vitamindcouncil.org/health/deficiency/am-i-vitamin-d-deficient.shtml

And of course, no more sugar or wheat products in her diet.

Good luck to your MoM. I suspect that a bone scan next year will reveal no further deterioration in her bone density.

But what do I know? I'm just a PaleoHack. And I am glad I am not a HackMD.

The Quilt · Answer 2 · 2011-04-28 01:42:11Z UTC

Calciummimetics have been recently used in this condition. They don't have FDA approval for primary hyperparathyroidism like your moms case but many docs have done it and it works. Talk to yournmoms endocrinologist about. They are approved for patient who have high pth levels from kidney disease and dialysis

Paleo for Hyperparathyroidism?

2 Answers