Nexus - 0506 - New Times Magazine-pages

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Osteoporosis CONTENTION THE BONES Contrary to the medical marketing hype, synthetic hormonal drugs, dairy products and most calcium supplements actually weaken the bones and have other harmful effects on health. steoporosis is big news—and big business—these days. As a disease, it emerged out of obscurity only two decades ago to become a concern for women throughout the industrialised world. Advertising campaigns in the media and fact sheets in doctors' waiting rooms and pharmacies continually warn women of the dangers of disappearing bone mass. The marketing hype announces that one woman in two over the age of 60 is likely to crumble from an osteoporotic fracture (yet one man in three will also get osteoporosis); that the incidence of hip fracture exceeds that of cancer of the breast, cervix and uterus combined; and that 16 per cent of patients suffering hip fractures will die within six months while 50 per cent will require long-term nursing care.1 The statistics also say that in the United States over 20 million people have osteoporosis and approximately 1.3 million people each year will suffer a bone fracture as a result of osteoporosis. In 1993, the US incurred an estimated loss of US$10 billion due to lost pro- ductivity and health care costs related to osteoporosis.” However, it's important to put these statistics into perspective. While it is true that death occurs in men and women who have hip fractures, these people are usually very elderly and frail. People who die from hip fractures are not only the most frail but are also ailing from other causes. Women are constantly bombarded with the message that the war on bone loss must include calcium supplements and a daily consumption of calcium-rich foods, primarily dairy products. Doctors strongly recommend long-term use of (synthetic) oestrogen to the postmenopausal woman, and, if additional help is required, suggest the use of bone-build- ing drugs like Fosamax. So, armed with this powerful arsenal, a woman is assured that she will walk tall and fracture-free through the latter part of her life. Unfortunately, this is far from the truth. The most popular treatments for osteoporosis are in fact dangerous to women's health. Synthetic oestrogen is a known carcinogenic drug. Most calcium supplements are not only ineffectual in rebuilding bone, but they can actually lead to mineral deficiencies, cal- cification and kidney stones. And contrary to popular belief, dairy products have been proven to be a leading cause of bone loss. THE OSTEOPOROSIS INDUSTRY: AN UNHOLY ALLIANCE Osteoporosis has spawned a phenomenal growth industry. The sale of just one oestro- gen drug, Premarin, grossed US$940 million worldwide in 1996.5 The US dairy industry is thriving with its annual US$20 billion of revenue.’ And sale of calcium supplements has spiralled upwards into the hundreds of millions of dollars. The osteoporosis industry has not only created a huge market for its wares; it has also been specifically designed to target women. Obviously, the fear-mongering advertising campaign about osteoporosis as a ‘silent thief’, stalking women's bones, has paid off. Unfortunately, unsuspecting women are unaware they are really being stalked by an unholy alliance of the pharmaceutical companies, the medical profession and dairy indus- try who have orchestrated one of the most successful and well-planned marketing manoeuvres in history. By distorting the facts, by manipulating the statistics and by withholding scientific research in the pursuit of profits, this powerful alliance has once again jeopardised lives by exposing women to an increased incidence of such illnesses as breast and ovarian can- cer, strokes, liver and gall bladder disease, diabetes, heart disease, allergies, kidney stones and arthritis. by Sherrill Sellman © 1998 Light Unlimited Productions Locked Bag 8000-MDC Kew, Victoria 3101, Australia Telephone: +61 (0)3 9249 9591 Fax: +61(0)3 9855 9991 E-mail: golight@ozemail.com.au Light Unlimited Productions Locked Bag 8000-MDC Kew, Victoria 3101, Australia Telephone: +61 (0)3 9249 9591 Fax: +61(0)3 9855 9991 E-mail: golight@ozemail.com.au NEXUS ¢ 21 A NEW DISEASE, A NEW MARKETING OPPORTUNITY by Sherrill Sellman © 1998 OCTOBER - NOVEMBER 1998