New Space-Age Way To Treat Osteoporosis

By Dr. W. Gifford Jones

February 11, 2007

In 2007 what will astronauts take to the space station? I'm sure we would name the things necessary to sustain life in outer space. But I doubt if many would know they will be packing the "Juvent 1000 Dynamic Motion Therapy (DMT) Platform" in the space shuttle. And how many are aware of Wolff's Law? Now, through the space research of NASA, patients have an alternative non-drug way to fight the ravages of osteoporosis (brittle bones).

Astronauts face major problems during space travel. One of the most severe is the loss of bone tissue. In a weightless atmosphere, without the earth's gravitational pressure, astronauts lose two percent of their bone mass every month.

Here on earth our bones fare much better. But due to a lack of exercise, too little calcium, vitamin D and the effects of aging, we lose two percent of bone mass every year. This means that by age 70 we've lost 50 percent of our bony structure.

Osteoporosis is a world wide problem. The International Osteoporosis Foundation reports that every 30 seconds someone in the European Union develops a fracture due to osteoporosis. In Canada an estimated 1.2 million Canadians suffer from this disease.

The result is that one in three women and one in five men over 50 years of age will suffer a fracture due to brittle bones. And of that number over 35 percent either cannot or will not take prescription drugs.

Dr. Clinton T. Rubin is Professor of Biomedical Engineering and Orthopedics at the State University of New York, and an expert on Dynamic Motion Therapy. For 25 years he's studied the effects of stress on bones and the practical application of "Wolff's Law".

Wolff's Law states that, "Bone adapts its structure to become denser and stronger or weaker depending on functional demands". For instance, the serving arm of a tennis player has 35 percent more bone than the other arm. In simple terms increased stress creates bone.

The Juvent 1000 DMT Platform is in one sense revolutionary, but actually a simple non-drug way to prevent and treat osteoporosis. And all it requires is standing on the Juvent Platform 20 minutes a day.

DMT transmits high-frequency, low intensity mechanical forces through the person's feet and up through the skeleton. These fast, gentle, accelerations triggers tiny stresses on your bones in the same way as your muscles did when you were younger. And bones respond by growing stronger, increasing bone density one to two percent a year.

Researchers at Creighton University, Nebraska, studied the effects of DMT on 62 postmenopausal women for 12 months. These women are particularly prone to developing osteoporosis due to lack of the female hormone estrogen. They found that DMT had the same effect on their bones as drugs. And had a greater effect on thin women with low bone mass.

Other researchers subjected adult sheep to DMT for 12 months. They were shocked to find that their bone mass increased an amazing 34 percent during that time.

Unlike drug therapy no side effects have been reported using Dynamic Motion Therapy. The up-and-down movement of the Juvent Platform is tiny, no bigger than the width of a few human hairs. This results in a gentle motion and users report that it makes them feel good.

The cost of the Juvent Platform is $2,995. But the Platform lasts a lifetime and is less expensive than the cost of chronic osteoporosis drug therapy.

Take care not to confuse the Juvent Platform with vibration machines sold to increase weight loss and muscle tone. These devices have stronger frequencies and may damage bone. It's the old story of "too much of anything is worse than none at all".

Osteoporosis has been called the "Silent Epidemic" as bone density loss proceeds without any symptoms. But it can strike with the speed of lightning. A forceful hug or cough may suddenly break a weakened rib like a dry twig. And a broken bone is the last thing you need while in space.

No doubt you will shortly see astronauts stepping on the Juvent Platform while watching the latest James Bond Movie. For more information see the web site www.Juvent.ca

W. Gifford-Jones M.D is the pen name of Dr. Ken Walker graduate of Harvard. Dr. Walker's website is: Docgiff.com

My book, �90 + How I Got There� can be obtained by sending $19.95 to:

Giff Holdings, 525 Balliol St, Unit # 6,Toronto, Ontario, M4S 1E1

Pre-2008 articles by Gifford Jones

Canada Free Press, CFP Editor Judi McLeod