Osteoporosis: Does the body start rebuilding bones after starting a gluten-free diet?

[Bogger]

Forgive me if this has already been discussed. I couldn’t find another discussion about it.

I was diagnosed with osteoporosis a couple of years ago after having been asymptomatic for celiac for decades. I ignored the celiac diagnosis because I had no issues, but I was ignorant to the long term damage. I am still asymptomatic, but after years of eating gluten I am now strictly gluten free.

The osteoporosis has been improving after taking Fosamax the last couple of years.

My question is…..has my body returned to normal bone production on its own now that it is not influenced by gluten?

A new problem has surfaced. I have to stop taking Fosamax due to a vascular issue which requires me to take a daily aspirin. The aspirin mixed with Fosamax will increase the chance of internal bleeding and ulcers so I need to turn to Reclast, which I’m trying to avoid.

I’m turning to you all to see if anyone knows if there is a chance that my body is back to normal bone production since it is not exposed to gluten. I’m going to ask my doctor if I can stop the Fosamax and take the aspirin until my bone scan next year.

Any help is greatly appreciated!

[trents]

Fosamax is a first generation "bone rebuilder" and I have heard there are newer and better things on the market now. I assume Reclast falls in the second category and gets better reviews according to this website:

https://www.drugs.com/compare/fosamax-vs-reclast

I think some bone rebuilding can happen when a celiac faithfully begins to practice gluten free eating. How much may depend on a number of factors, not the least of which may be the person's age. May we ask how old you are? Gender may also play a part.

What are your reservations concerning Reclast as opposed to Fosamax? And does Reclast pose less risk for bleeds/ulcers than Fosamax?

I was diagnosed with celiac disease at age 50 and DEXA scans done at that time showed osteopenia. I am male and 74 years of age. I was on Fosamax for a while but discontinued it. I don't remember why I stopped but it may have been because of GERD. I have not had a DEXA scan follow-up so I can't say for sure whether or not going gluten free at age 50 resulted in any recoup of bone density. But, I have had numerous Xrays of this and that body part over the years since then and no doctor has commented on low bone density showing up in the Xrays. Of course, an Xray is not a DEXA scan but I think in a crude way they can reveal bone density because of how bright the bones appear on a Xray. And in around 25 years I have not had any fractures so I think that may say something.

Here's an important question with regard to bone health: Are you on a PPI for GERD?

[Bogger]

Thanks for your reply

I’m a nearly 69yr old female. My only medications are Fosamax and Lamotrigine for seizures.

Thank you for that drugs.com link! There are soooo many common side effects for Reclast and almost nothing for Fosamax.

Since it’s working well and I haven’t had any side effects from Fosamax (stomach bleeding, pain or upset) my doctor recommends it first over Reclast. Reclast is introduced into a vein thus bypassing the stomach which avoids all those stomach issues. But, once it’s in me, it’s there for a year or so. Any complications can’t be undone. With Reclast, I’m concerned about not being able to treat dental issues, several weeks of bone pain and the chance, although rare, of kidney damage. Plus all those other dozens of common side effects. It’s a very effective drug but looks pretty complicated to deal with. Hopefully I’m not just being a big chicken.

In 2018 I fell and broke my ankle in two places. It took three screws to put it back together which is normal for that surgery. There was no mention of any difficulty or signs of bone loss. Thanks to my dog, I fell about a month ago onto a concrete floor with thin carpet. I landed on my left hip, then my spine, one vertebrae at a time, then clunked my head on the door frame. Twisted my wrist too. It was all in slow motion waiting to feel a crack that didn’t happen. Went to the ER tho. Amazingly, I didn’t even see any bruises.

Thanks again for that link. I need to read through it some more. My doctor’s appt is next week when I’ll make the big decision. 
 

[Stegosaurus]

Lifting heavy weights is the very best way to build strong bones.  I've read that the bone drugs make the scans look better, but don't help bone functional strength.

[trents]

While it's true that lifting heavy weights is a good bone builder, it may not be advisable for those with certain medical conditions like heart disease, arthritis and for the elderly or for those who don't have access to the equipment. 

Bone building drugs like Fosamax slow down the disposal of worn out osteoclasts (bone cells) and so help maintain/restore bone density as seen in scans but because the retained cells are no longer healthy, the process may contribute less to actual bone strength than healthy cells would.

[Harris]

From what I’ve learned and seen, the body can start rebuilding bone after going gluten-free, but it’s usually a slow process and doesn’t happen automatically or completely for everyone. Once gluten is removed, the gut begins to heal, which helps with absorbing nutrients like calcium and vitamin D again — and that’s what supports bone repair.

But how much improvement you get depends on a few things:

how long celiac was untreated

your age

how low your bone density was to begin with

whether nutrient levels are fully corrected

Some people see gradual improvement over time, while others mainly stabilize and prevent further loss rather than fully returning to normal.

In your case, since you were already improving on medication, it might be a mix of both — your body recovering plus the treatment helping. Stopping medication is something your doctor will need to guide carefully, especially with your other health considerations.

It’s also worth making sure the basics are covered:

calcium and vitamin D levels

magnesium and vitamin K

weight-bearing exercise

So yes, the body can start rebuilding once gluten is removed, but it’s usually gradual and often needs support rather than happening fully on its own.

[knitty kitty]

I have osteoporosis and have crushed three vertebrae.  I supplement with Lysine, Tryptophan, threonine, calcium, Boron, Vitamins D, A, and K, and the B vitamins (folate, B12, and Thiamine B1 especially for bone health).  

I tried Fosomax, but it tore up my insides.  I prefer the supplements.  I feel better and my bones feel stronger.  

References:

A composite protein enriched with threonine, lysine, and tryptophan improves osteoporosis by modulating the composition and metabolism of the gut microbiota

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41915427/

Edited April 16 by knitty kitty
Typo correction