#1

Hi all,
My wife started taking Rapacan 1.5 weeks ago. 3 months ago she experienced meniscus tear in both knees; anti-inflamatory medications have been ineffective; and we wish to avoid surgery if possible due to diagnosed underlying condition of osteoporosis. She is 45 and weights 53 kg.
Approximately 5 days after taking an initial dose of Rapacan (2mg) symptoms and pain significantly improved. This week increased dose to 3mg. Side effects experienced are dizziness and brain fog lasting approx 1 day after taking Rapacan. It’s manageable but a bit unpleasant.

Any advice or experience on this forum in relation to the effectiveness of Rapamycin in treating Osteoporosis? I’ve seen some papers detailing animal studies; but not seen much info in relation to human trials.
Based on body weight, what’s the weekly dose we should aim for here?
I know requesting medical advice / opinions is a sensitive area, but we’re just looking for a bit more information. Based on results so far, we’re willing to carefully experiment. We’re based in SE Asia so medical knowledge of using Rapamycin outside of it’s prescribed use is virtually zero here.
Any advice welcome.
regards,
Mike

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#2

Hi from another expat in SE Asia!

Dosages for Rapamycin are quite controversial, but the general rule of thumb is to increase your dosage until you hit a side-effect that you cannot tolerate. For many, that side-effect is higher triglycerides or cholesterol or blood sugar. Everyone will have their own different side-effect profile. For instance, I get canker sores, rashes, euphoric fatigue, etc
 Getting frequent bloodwork will help you manage the effects on blood sugar and triglycerides.

Some of us will complement our Rapamycin with metformin or acarbose to handle the blood sugar and/or other supplements to manage triglycerides and cholesterol. Some studies have found combining Rapamycin with acarbose or metformin helps to synergize and enhance the effects.

Since there is no real danger of taking too much Rapamycin (at least in the short term), you can increase your dosage at a rate you like. For instance, I am taking 18 mg equivalent bi-weekly. If the pain gets better at higher dosages, I would keep increasing the dosage.

Most of us are taking either a large dose (15-20 mg) every 2 weeks or a smaller weekly dose (6-9 mg).

Hope this helps.

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#3

Just had a DEXA scan and was recently diagnosed with osteoporosis. I started Rapamycin over a year ago and since Sept of 2023, over eight months ago, I have been taking 5mg a week under a doctor’s supervision. My age is 74 and female. No fractures. No estrogen supplements. I also have noticed less inflammation, less aches and pains. I am just moderately active. My last DEXA scan was normal before I started Rapamycin .

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#4

https://x.com/healthspanmed/status/1822422684430733600?t=-lc-rtWdNuMx3KopLf1b2A&s=19

I saw this today. Yes, rapamycin might be beneficial for osteporosis.

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#5

I’ve experienced no benefit.

Good luck!

#6

OK -I’ll continue with 5mg rapa weekly and add 1200 mg calcium,1000 mg D3 and K2 (complicated- M4 or M7 type?) I subscribed to consumerlab.com for choosing the supplement brands.

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#7

In a YouTube video of Dr. Doug Lucas titled “The Best Supplements for Osteoporosis in 2024,” he discusses vitamin K2 starting about 14 minutes into the video. He says that K2-MK4 is shorter-acting than the MK7 form, but the MK4 form turns on bone building better than K2-MK7. So he recommends taking a mixture.

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#8

Thank you. Good to know. I’ll buy the K2-MK4 type. My GP said take CA and D3 and ended with “Don’t Fall”.
But I guess he didn’t know that K2 helps the CA go to the bone and not the arteries.

#9

Consumer lab has concerns about lead in AlgaeCal

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#10

Yes, I subscribe to ConsumerLab.com and have read their articles about AlgaeCal. In 2011 and 2017, they reported that the amount of lead in 4 capsules exceeded the acceptable amount. However, in their most recent article, written July 31, 2024, “Calcium and Bone Health Supplements Review (Including Vitamins D and K, Magnesium and Boron,” AlgaeCal Plus was “Approved” because the amounts of lead, arsenic, cadmium, and mercury in four capsules were below the threshold.
There is still a 2019 article on their website that contains only the earlier result.

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#11

Thank you for your research update When I bought my CA supplements it wasn’t approved

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#12

@S_Sutherling Check out Dr Keith McCormick. His book Great Bones is well regarded. Here is a podcast I did with him

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#13

Thanks. I’ll add Magnesium.

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#14

The thing to understand about bones (which initially surprised me) is that they are in a precess of renewal. Cells called osteoclasts remove bone and osteoblasts rebuild it. Osteoporosis is caused by the failure of the body to create enough osteoblasts. Providing nutrienrs for the process, therefore can only go so far without also ensuring the creation of osteoblasts.

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#15

Yes. But my recollection from watching some videos of Dr. Doug Lucas, is that some nutrients such as ferritin, upregulate the activity of osteoblasts, which build bone, and downregulate the activity of osteoclasts. I’ll have to re-watch this video, or you could, to make sure I heard that correctly.