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Fosamax Type Osteoporosis Drugs Noted to Cause Serious Eye Problems

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Drugs commonly prescribed to osteoporosis and cancer patients may cause serious inflammation in several regions of the eye in some patients. Researchers hope the finding will make physicians more likely to monitor patients for such eye problems as well as prompt drug companies to add warning labels to their products.

Two medications in a class of drugs called bisphosphonates, which are often used to increase bone density in patients with osteoporosis, were found to cause the serious side effects in the eyes of some patients. The drugs are also prescribed to cancer patients, as lung, breast or prostate cancer that has spread to the bones can also decrease bone density.

Researchers reviewed thousands of cases in which patients were prescribed bisphosphonates and tracked 314 patients who also reported eye problems. Although the side effects were rare and did not occur in most patients, some types of eye inflammation can lead to vision loss or blindness if left untreated.

Of the patients who reported side effects, close to 100 suffered from blurred vision. Other problems included pain and swelling.

Researchers noted that the side effects went away when patients stopped taking the medication.

New England Journal Medicine March 20, 2003;348(12):1187-8

 

Dr. Mercola's Comments:

It is very rare where a drug-based solution to a chronic degenerative health condition is the answer. As this study shows, it is fraught with potential side effects.

Hardly any doctors who prescribe Fosamax even understand how it works, which is by killing the osteoclast cells in your bone. These cells are important for the dynamic balance of remodeling your bone. The osteoclasts actually remove bone, but they work in conjunction with the osteoblasts to increase bone density.

So short-sighted traditional medicine takes the violent war approach and decides to poison and kill these cells so only the osteoblasts are left and supposedly the bone strength increases.

While it would be nice if this were true, it just doesn’t seem to work that way.

Most physicians don’t have any clue that these biphosphanate drugs are toxic poisons that contain the same type of chemicals that are used to remove soap scum from your bathtub.

Fortunately, you don’t have to expose yourself to these poisonous drugs--there are non-drug solutions like healthy calcium in raw dairy, vitamin D.

Always remember omega-3 fats are essential to your, and your children's, health. The best source for omega-3 is krill oil as, unlike other sources such as walnuts or flax seeds, it is high in two fatty acids crucial to human health, DHA and EPA. These two fatty acids are pivotal in preventing heart disease, cancer, and many other diseases. The human brain is also highly dependent on DHA--low DHA levels have been linked to depression, schizophrenia, memory loss, and a higher risk of developing Alzheimer's.

Early last year we did an extensive testing on the fish from a company that takes the salmon from the interior of Alaska and were surprised and delighted to find that the mercury levels were virtually unmeasurable.

So, if you enjoy salmon, which is very high in omega-3 with DHA and EPA, half as much as I do and are concerned about mercury damaging your brain, then please consider the Alaskan salmon that I have been able to arrange to distribute.


* These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. If you are pregnant, nursing, taking medication, or have a medical condition, consult your physician before using this product.

Disclaimer: The entire contents of this website are based upon the opinions of Dr. Mercola, unless otherwise noted. Individual articles are based upon the opinions of the respective author, who retains copyright as marked. The information on this website is not intended to replace a one-on-one relationship with a qualified health care professional and is not intended as medical advice. It is intended as a sharing of knowledge and information from the research and experience of Dr. Mercola and his community. Dr. Mercola encourages you to make your own health care decisions based upon your research and in partnership with a qualified health care professional.

*These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. If you are pregnant, nursing, taking medication, or have a medical condition, consult your physician before using this product.

Disclaimer: The entire contents of this website are based upon the opinions of Dr. Mercola, unless otherwise noted. Individual articles are based upon the opinions of the respective author, who retains copyright as marked. The information on this website is not intended to replace a one-on-one relationship with a qualified health care professional and is not intended as medical advice. It is intended as a sharing of knowledge and information from the research and experience of Dr. Mercola and his community. Dr. Mercola encourages you to make your own health care decisions based upon your research and in partnership with a qualified health care professional.

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