What to Do Now That You’ve Been Diagnosed with Osteoporosis

Updated: October 13, 2022

Mother and daughter enjoying bike ride in the park together

At AlgaeCal we regularly hear from women and men just like you, who were living healthy, active lives until one day the were diagnosed with osteoporosis.

Needless to say, it can come as quite a shock.

That’s why I wanted to review a few of the things you should do if you’ve recently been diagnosed.

For some of you these points will serve as a good reminder, and for others, it just might steer you down a healthy path to recovery VS a path laden with more pain, angst, and further damage to your body and health.

I’ve Been Diagnosed with Osteoporosis, Now What?

“I have osteoporosis, now what?”

The first thing to recognize is that if you’ve been diagnosed with osteoporosis or low bone density (osteopenia), it’s not your fault!

Osteoporosis sneaks up on millions of people each and every year. We simply have no way of knowing that our bones are getting weaker, often until it’s too late.

That is of course unless you’re getting regular DEXA scans (bone density scans). The problem with DEXAs, unfortunately, is that most of us aren’t told to get one until we’re in our mid-sixties. The second problem is that they cost $100 or more and are often only covered by insurance every two years. (For any of you in your forties or fifties reading this, this should be a big hint: get a DEXA sooner rather than later!)

And realize that you are not alone. According to the National Osteoporosis Foundation, about 8 million women and two million men have osteoporosis in the U.S.

Most of us are unaware of how many people osteoporosis affects. Unfortunately, osteoporosis awareness campaigns are mostly non-existent in comparison to the money invested in raising awareness for breast cancer and other life threatening diseases, even though they often affect far less people than osteo!

A few quick facts:

  • A woman’s risk of breaking a hip due to osteoporosis is equal to her risk of breast, ovarian and uterine cancer combined.
  • A man age 50 or older is more likely to break a bone due to osteoporosis than he is to get prostate cancer.
  • 80% of people learn that they have osteoporosis by breaking a bone.

The third and final thing I want you to understand today is this: you can recover from osteoporosis!

It’s going to take some time (after all your bones didn’t get weaker overnight) but it is possible.

More on this in a minute.

What to Do When You’ve Been diagnosed

Now that we’ve covered a couple of the important things you need to understand, here is a list of action steps I would like to encourage you to take if you or someone you love has just been diagnosed:

1. Talk to someone you trust and can rely on to listen. Don’t go it alone.Diagnosed with Osteoporosis

In a recent customer survey we conducted, many of you told us you did not tell anyone when you were diagnosed. I highly recommend that if you have someone you trust, you speak with them about the fact that you’ve been diagnosed. Just talking about it can help alleviate some of the fear and frustration you may be experiencing.

2. Begin learning about osteoporosis & your treatment options.

The more you learn about something, the more confident you will be in dealing with it.

If you’re afraid or uncertain or unsure that’s completely o.k. What’s not o.k is to stay that way forever. Instead, decide today that you’re going to spend some time learning about osteoporosis and the various treatment options available to you. The more you learn the better you’ll feel.

Things you should learn about include:

  • Natural ways you can support your bone health
  • The vitamins and minerals your body needs to build strong healthy bones at any age
  • Osteoporosis facts and general information to help you understand what the disease is and how it comes to be. Nof.org is a good place to of course our AlgaeCal blog.

I also highly recommend reading the Amazon bestseller “Your Bones: How You Can Prevent Osteoporosis and Have Strong Bones for Life – Naturally” by Lara Pizzorno.

3. Review what you learn with your doctor.

Your doctor should be your ally in your journey back to full health. You need to speak with them and ask for their guidance and direction.

4. Start an exercise regime that focuses on weight-bearing exercises.

Weight-bearing exercise is one of the best things you can do to increase your bone strength because of the concentrated pressure it puts on your bones. When you don’t regularly stress your muscles, joints and bones, they begin to weaken over time.

Two weight-bearing exercises that you can do are:

  • Yoga: Yoga is great at any age because each pose can be modified based on your fitness level. It’s also very versatile and can be done in your room, on a chair or even in your bed. Yoga not only stresses your bones (in a good way) by holding poses, but it also improves and works on your breathing techniques. Breathing helps with relaxation, mood, sleep and overall health and wellness.
  • Walking: Walking is easy to do anywhere! Whether you walk to work, to the grocery store, or with a friend on a trail you are reaping its bone health benefits. Walking also improves endurance and balance, which is important for the prevention of falls.
  • Other good exercises to consider include: pilates, tai-chi, golf and resistance training or strength training with weights.

Remember to always review an exercise program with your doctor and make sure you’re getting advice from a qualified instructor.

5. Improve Your Nutrition

You have to make a conscious decision to eat the right kinds of foods to build strong healthy bones when you’ve been diagnosed with osteoporosis.

  • Your first step is to understand the vitamins and minerals you need to build strong healthy bones. For example, osteoporosis.ca recommends women 50+ take 1200 mg of calcium per day. But if you want a clinically supported bone-building supplement that is effective at a lower dose, try AlgaeCal Plus. Due to its plant-based makeup, it contains additional vitamins and minerals that support bone health.
  • Your second step is to download a copy of our “Bone Health Recipes” eBook and start cooking meals high in calcium and other bone healthy nutrients.
  • Finally, if you haven’t done so already we highly recommend you add AlgaeCal Plus and Strontium Boost to your daily diet. Combined they have been clinically supported to naturally increase bone density, and are backed by a money back guarantee.

Article Comments

Add New Comment

Your email address will not be published.

  1. ADELINA

    November 7, 2018 , 12:59 pm

    Just diagnosed. First thing I did was cry, cry,cry. And now I am so so scared.

  2. Jenna AlgaeCal

    November 12, 2018 , 11:52 am

    Hi Adelina,

    We’re so sorry to hear about your recent diagnosis, and would love to help. AlgaeCal is clinically supported to increase bone mineral density safely and naturally in 3 human clinical studies — and can absolutely help you to turn around your bone health.

    Please don’t hesitate to call us at 1-800-820-0184 if you have any questions or concerns ❤️

    – Jenna @ AlgaeCal

  3. Diane

    October 19, 2020 , 11:11 pm

    I was recently diagnosed with osteoporosis. I have been struggling with my provider getting the correct info to my insurance! It has been so frustrating! I have an appointment with another dr, but I have already wasted almost 3 months. My dexa scan was -4.7.
    I walk 5 miles almost everyday and I take a yoga class once a week. I work in an office and sitting is the worst on my osteoporosis arthritis. I’m 57 and I’ve been doing supplements.
    Suggestions please.
    Thank you!

  4. Megan AlgaeCal

    October 20, 2020 , 11:58 am

    Hi Diane, thanks for reaching out!

    We’re so sorry to hear about what must be a very frustrating experience. You’re doing a great job being proactive with regular exercise! Weight-bearing exercises are also great for bone health, and nutrition plays a key role too. We provide plenty of exercises and recipes on our blog here.

    If you’re interested in our natural, clinically supported approach to stronger bones, click here.

    And if you have any questions, don’t hesitate to reach out to our Bone Health Consultants at 1-800-820-0184❤️

    -Megan @ AlgaeCal

  5. Fashion Styles

    May 12, 2022 , 1:04 am

    I really like your blog.. very nice colors & theme. Did you design this website yourself or did you hire someone to do it for you? Plz answer back as I’m looking to create my own blog and would like to know where u got this from. thank you

  6. Kirby Johnson

    May 12, 2022 , 7:41 am

    Thank you so much for your kind words! We recently transitioned from a custom-built website to this format by collaborating with Northern. You can learn more about their company HERE. Please don’t hesitate to let us know if you have any further questions!

    – Kirby @ AlgaeCal

  7. Linda

    January 21, 2023 , 7:06 am

    I have read and been told by some doctors “Do not take calcium supplements. It clogs arteries.”
    I started intermittent dieting because i read it was good to help strengthen your bones. nThen I read that if you already have osteoporsis you should not do intermitten fasting. It can cause bone loss.

    My endocrinologist wants me to take 1200 mg of calcium daily and take Prolia. I will not do that.

    I am 80 years old but I am active. I walk 2 miles daily and do light strength training. I want to remain active throughout my lifetime. What suggestion do you have?

  8. Brianne AlgaeCal

    January 22, 2023 , 8:45 am

    Hi Linda,

    Thanks so much for commenting, and I am so sorry to hear about what you are going through. We want you to remain active as well!

    Calcium is so important to help support our bones, but alone, it won’t do much. There are 16 nutrients in total that you bones need. The good news is that AlgaeCal Plus contains them ALL, and is the ONLY calcium supplement that is clinically supported to increase bone mineral density! In a 12 month study, AlgaeCal Plus alone increased bone density an average of 1.3%, while AlgaeCal Plus with Strontium Boost increased bone density an average of 3%! 🙂

    To read more about our clinical research, click HERE.

    Additionally, Linda, we have a detailed article on intermittent fasting that I think you will find interesting that you can find on our blog HERE!

    For any additional questions, we are here 7 days a week, so feel free to give us a call at 1-800-820-0184 any time!

    – Brianne @ AlgaeCal

  9. Mary Bryant

    January 24, 2023 , 6:32 am

    I am a polio survivor and diagnosed with post polio syndrome a few years ago. I was diagnosed with osteoporosis and currently receiving Polia injection every six months, have been taking Prolia injection now for couple of years. I get bone density scans every two years. My Dr. has prescribed Meloxicam but I couldn’t take it and has prescribed other medications which I couldn’t take either. I currently take Caltrate or other over the counter calcium with Vitamin D supplements. My question to you should I check with my physician before trying Algaecal.

  10. Shelby AlgaeCal

    January 27, 2023 , 10:59 am

    Hi Mary,

    Thank you for reaching out to us – goodness, we are so sorry to hear that you’ve been diagnosed with post-polio syndrome and bone loss, and we certainly understand that you may be looking to best support your bone health going forward!

    To answer your question, it’s always a good idea to check in with a physician prior to starting any new dietary supplements, especially if you’re taking prescription medications or have pre-existing health conditions. If you’d like to speak with your doctor about AlgaeCal, I have included a link for our handy Doctor’s Information Sheet HERE!

    Furthermore, it may help to know that if you get started with AlgaeCal, we don’t recommend taking another calcium supplement at the same time! AlgaeCal Plus provides 720 mg of plant-based calcium and the average diet provides another 400-500 mg. This means that you’ll reach the recommended 1200mg of calcium each day, all through food sources! When it comes to Vitamin D, AlgaeCal Plus provides 1600 IU in a full daily serving and the best way to determine if you need additional D3 to have a blood test done.

    Mary, we would love to connect with you and answer any other questions you may have, so please feel free to reach out to our Bone Health Consultants at 1-800-820-0184 – they are super knowledgable, and always happy to help! 🙂

    – Shelby @ AlgaeCal

  11. Jo

    February 2, 2023 , 3:52 am

    Hi I’m a 57 year old woman and went through menopause 5/6 years did it naturally as didn’t want to go on hrt I’ve always been fit and healthy excercise 4/5 times a week but 4 years ago my husband died and it turned my life upside down , lost my home lost a couple of stone that I didn’t need to loose , a year ago had bad back prob and just been diagnosed with 5 hernia and on mri oesp has shown up I used to take b6 b12 but stoped few years ago so now take nothing what can I take please

  12. Chelsea Dugas

    February 6, 2023 , 7:32 am

    So sorry to hear this, Jo. If you’re interested in a safe and natural approach to increasing your bone density, AlgaeCal has helped thousands of women and men do so for many years! You can view some of their inspiring success stories HERE if you like.
    For more information and personalized support, you can reach our Bone Health Consultants 7 days a week at 1-800-820-0184 (USA & Canada, toll-free) or by email at [email protected]. Let us know if you have any questions!

    – Chelsea @ AlgaeCal

  13. Karen Kovalick

    July 5, 2023 , 6:55 am

    My Rheumatologist will not give up telling me I have to have IV injections. So annoying. I think I have to change drs. I have polymyalgia in remission.

  14. Manja

    July 5, 2023 , 8:29 am

    Hi Karen!

    It’s great to hear your polymyalgia is in remission now. If you’re interested in a safe and natural approach to increasing your bone density, AlgaeCal is the only calcium supplement that is clinically supported to do so! You can always call our Bone Health Consultants at 1-800-820-0184 (USA & Canada toll-free) who would be happy to answer any questions you may have.

    – Manja @ AlgaeCal

  15. Pamela

    August 2, 2023 , 7:14 am

    This sounds great, but most ads do. I was prescribed Fosamax. I don’t want to take it and never started . what would be a good dosage for me of AlgaeCal?

  16. Manja AlgaeCal

    August 2, 2023 , 8:24 am

    Thanks for reaching out, Pamela! To increase your bone density when taking our Bone Builder Pack, the daily recommended dose is four capsules of AlgaeCal Plus (two capsules, twice daily) and two capsules of Strontium Boost (once daily). We have a handy guide on how to take our supplements here.
    If you’re interested, you can learn more about our natural and clinically supported approach to stronger bones here! And feel free to call our Bone Health Consultants at 1-800-820-0184 (USA & Canada toll-free) or email [email protected] – we would be happy to answer any questions you may have.
    – Manja

  17. Karen Friend

    October 29, 2023 , 6:30 pm

    What are exact ingredients ? Any similarities to Prolia, Reclast ? Why have neither my Internest or OB/GYN mentioned or referred algaecal for my osteoporosis?

  18. Kendra AlgaeCal

    October 30, 2023 , 2:56 pm

    Hi Karen, many doctors are less familiar with natural products and may not be aware of the options available. In saying that, doctors who have seen their patients’ improvements first-hand often start to recommend AlgaeCal! AlgaeCal is the only calcium supplement with human clinical trials showing it can INCREASE bone mineral density! More detailed information regarding the ingredients in our supplements can be found on our product page! You’re also more than welcome to call our Bone Health Consultants at 1-800-820-0184 (USA & Canada toll-free) with any questions regarding this! We’re always happy to help! – Kendra

  19. Yoli Farrell

    December 23, 2023 , 6:32 am

    I’m diagnosed with Osteoporosis and was provided, prescribed a bone medication to be taken once a mont; I took it once and it makes me sick; headaches, muscle pain and with flu symptoms. I complained to my Rheumatologist doctor and gave me some options, injections but he discussed with me before, that it’s not advisable for me; so he told me to try another prescription; when I got it, the leaflet of side effects are similar to the previous med, completely the same, so I decided not to take it. I searched for natural remedies, please your assistance, advice and support would be greatly appreciated. Thank you.

  20. Yoori AlgaeCal

    December 26, 2023 , 3:15 pm

    Thank you for sharing your story, and we’re so sorry to hear about the side effects you’ve experienced, Yoli. If you’re interested in a safe and natural approach to increasing your bone density, AlgaeCal is the only calcium supplement that is clinically supported to do so! You can always call our Bone Health Consultants at 1-800-820-0184 (US & Canada Toll-free) or email [email protected] who would be happy to provide personalized support for you!
    – Yoori

  21. Tami

    January 19, 2024 , 4:11 am

    I have recently undergone a parathyroidectomy. They prescribed an over the counter calcium citrate until my single parathyroid gland wakes up. The hypercalcemia caused several problems for me including osteoporosis. I found your products several months ago, but couldn’t take them yet, until my surgery. Would I still use the normal dosage and should I use the bone builder kit? Thanks.

  22. [email protected]

    January 19, 2024 , 12:15 pm

    Thank you for reaching out, Tami!

    I am sorry to hear of your bone loss, but I am glad to hear that you’re considering the natural approach to improve your bone health.

    We recommend checking in with your doctor to see if AlgaeCal is a fit for you at this time. We have a printable information sheet you can share with them here: https://cdn.algaecal.com/wp-content/uploads/doctors-overview-bbp.pdf. For anyone looking to increase their bone mineral density, we would recommend our bone builder pack which includes both the AlgaeCal Plus and Strontium Boost. You can read more about this pack HERE!

    I hope this helps, Tami! Please let us know if you have any questions.

    – Sammy

This article features advice from our industry experts to give you the best possible info through cutting-edge research.

Lara Pizzorno
MDiv, MA, LMT - Best-selling author of Healthy Bones Healthy You! and Your Bones; Editor of Longevity Medicine Review, and Senior Medical Editor for Integrative Medicine Advisors.,
Dr. Liz Lipski
PhD, CNS, FACN, IFMP, BCHN, LDN - Professor and Director of Academic Development, Nutrition programs in Clinical Nutrition at Maryland University of Integrative Health.,
Dr. Loren Fishman
MD, B.Phil.,(oxon.) - Medical Director of Manhattan Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation and Founder of the Yoga Injury Prevention Website.,
Prof. Didier Hans
PHD, MBA - Head of Research & Development Center of Bone Diseases, Lausanne University Hospital CHUV, Switzerland,