Recently, bisphosphonates have been the target of controversy regarding increased risk of thigh fractures with extended use. New work by Australian scientists at the Garvan Institute of Medical Research may only add to the confusion over the common osteoporosis drugs.
HealthNews.com explains the details of the new Australian study, which uses data from a long-range study of people living in Dubbo, New South Wales, Australia. According to HealthNews:
The study followed a group of 2,042 seniors, aged 60 and older, who were living in the city of Dubbo in New South Wales, and who were being treated for osteoporosis. Among the group were 1,223 and women and 819 men.
The Garvan researchers found that a significant number of people had a longer lifespan after taking bisphosphonates. In fact, ABC News in Australia reported that the study "found a group of more than 100 people treated with drugs known as bisphosphonates for an average of three years were likely to live longer."
For now, it is unknown what exactly contributes to the lifespan extension. The Los Angeles Times speculates:
The researchers suggest that the link is tied to physiology. When people age and lose bone, heavy metals, like lead and cadmium, which are stored in bone over a lifetime are released into the bloodstream and can affect health. Preventing bone loss may prevent the release of these toxic substances and the damage they do.
The study was published online in the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism.
