Osteoporosis and weightlifting

[barbar25]

In 2009 I found out I had osteoporosis, through a study done by the Ghent university Hospital (SIBLOS study). They asked if I was interested to participate in a follow-up, meaning coming in once a year for a DEXA-scan, to see how my osteoporosis progressed. I was told to start taking calcium tablets with vitamin D (500mg Ca, 400 units vit. D). In 2010 the scan revealed that the situation got a little worse, so the asked me to double the calcium and vitamin D intake. Scan in 2011 showed again a slight decrease of bone density. In that year I started with some barbell exercises. I had a young colleague, who had been training for years and he gave me some advice. The scan in 2012 showed some improvement in my bone density. In the next years I learned about starting strength, got stronger and bigger and kept improving my BMD. In 2017 I was told I no longer had osteoporosis. In the same period my bodyweight went from 74kg to 87 kg, of which 8,5kg is lean body mass.I'm 173 cm and I turn 46 in march this year. My (not so impressive) numbers at the moment are:106 kg bench, 146 kg Squat, 180 kg deadlift, 66 kg press, and still progressing.
I hope this story can help anyone with osteoporosis.

Bar

L1-L4 means lumbar vertebrae

[MBasic]

neat story.

should post this in the Testimonials subforum as well here

. . . http://startingstrength.com/resources/forum/forum170/

[barbar25]

Just copy/paste it over there?

[MBasic]

yes . . .

especially now, with that chart you added

[Diddyin94]

This is a really good post. Thanks for sharing this.

[neilc1]

I've read that one should also take Vitamin K2 (not K1 ) with vit D,
the K2 directs calcium to bone structure, and protects cardio heart nonsense against calcifications.
there's lots to read on the internets

[barbar25]

The calx plus tablets I currently take also contain vit. K, although the K1 variant.

[barbar25]

You're welcome. Hopefully it will benefit other people, and help them to convince their doctor strength training isn't bad for your back.

[carson]

At age 67 my wife was diagnosed with Osteoporosis. This was about the same time she joined me in Starting Strength. A year later her diagnosis showed no Osteoporosis. It works. She is now 70 with no Osteoporosis.

[MashedTaters]

Holy shit, carson! Congrats to your wife! THAT...is some great info.

BTW, we see you lurking in the background of Sully's vids