A new peer-reviewed study by IMA researchers Matt Halma and Dr. Joseph Varon reveals that natural interventions can increase bone density by up to 6.45%, yet most patients are never told about these overlooked alternatives to conventional osteoporosis treatments.
Osteoporosis affects over 500 million people globally, with postmenopausal women facing the steepest risk. Once diagnosed, many live with a constant, quiet fear—knowing that one wrong step could mean a broken hip and the loss of independence along with it.
But here’s what most patients never hear: while standard treatments remain critical, a growing body of evidence now points to natural interventions that can significantly improve bone density, in some cases outperforming expectations.
A new peer-reviewed study from researchers at the Independent Medical Alliance (IMA) shows that herbs, minerals, and plant compounds can raise bone mineral density (BMD) by 3% to more than 6% in clinical trials.
If you or someone you love is living with osteoporosis, then you already know: every percentage point counts.
What the Research Found: Natural Interventions Showing 3-6% Bone Density Gains
Published in the Journal of Clinical Rheumatology and Immunology, the study reviewed dozens of clinical trials examining how specific natural compounds impact BMD, the leading indicator of bone strength and fracture risk.
The research team:
- Matthew Halma, Director of Scientific Research at IMA (PhD candidate in Biophysics, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam)
- Carlos O’Leary, Universidad Popular Autónoma del Estado de Puebla, Mexico
- Dr. Joseph Varon, IMA President and Chief Medical Officer
Dr. Varon, a globally recognized critical care physician, has authored over 1,000 peer-reviewed studies and brings decades of experience to this analysis. This paper marks the first comprehensive clinical review examining herbal and nutraceutical therapies for osteoporosis across a wide range of interventions.
“Herbal and nutraceutical treatments show promise in managing osteoporosis through alternative therapies. These natural approaches offer patients effective alternatives for managing this debilitating condition.” — Dr. Joseph Varon
Herbal and Nutraceutical Interventions for Osteoporosis: A Review of Effects on Bone Mineral Density – Authored by Matthew Halma, Carlos O’Leary, and Joseph Varon
Here’s What the Research Revealed
The researchers uncovered several categories of natural interventions showing remarkable promise for bone health. Here’s what the science actually says.
🌿 Phytoestrogens and Traditional Herbal Remedies
Some of the most promising results came from plant-based compounds and traditional herbal formulas.
Highlights:
- Genistein: Over 3% BMD improvement in both spine and femoral neck over one year
- Soy isoflavones & rhizoma drynariae: Up to 6.45% BMD increase
- Rehmannia glutinosa & Cornus mas: Supported new bone formation and reduced resorption
- Herbal formulas (multi-compound): Often outperformed single-ingredient supplements
These compounds typically interact with estrogen receptors, mimicking the body’s natural hormones to rebalance the bone remodeling process, much like conventional treatments, but with fewer side effects.
They also influence the OPG/RANKL axis and Wnt/β-catenin pathway—key systems in maintaining bone health.
📊 Table 2: Herbal and Phytoestrogen Interventions for Bone Health
Full data tables available in the complete study
💊 Essential Nutrients: Beyond Calcium and Vitamin D
Calcium and vitamin D are foundational, but not the whole story. This study calls overdue attention to underappreciated bone-supportive nutrients:
- Magnesium: Women with intake above 422.5 mg/day had 3% higher total hip BMD and 2% higher whole-body BMD
- Selenium: Higher intake linked to increased BMD across the femur, neck, trochanter, and spine
- Vitamin C: Improved BMD at multiple sites, likely via its antioxidant role and support of collagen synthesis
These findings suggest we need a wider nutritional lens when evaluating bone health.
From Research to Real-World Care
This research builds a strong case for integrating natural therapies into conventional osteoporosis care. For patients hesitant about long-term medications—or those already struggling with side effects—this opens the door to safer, evidence-based alternatives.
Still, major gaps remain:
- Lack of standardized dosing protocols
- Need for larger randomized controlled trials
- Limited clinician awareness of this growing body of evidence
The IMA exists to bridge this divide. We launched during the COVID crisis to give frontline doctors access to early outpatient treatments when no one else would. Along the way, we uncovered a deeper pattern: scientifically sound, low-risk treatments are often ignored, hidden in journals while patients suffer without options.
Hope Backed by Science
This study offers more than data. It offers a roadmap to a real improvement in the standard of care for osteoporosis patients around the world.
- There are credible alternatives beyond prescriptions.
- The evidence is strong and growing.
- With support, these therapies could become part of everyday care, not fringe outliers.
If you believe patients deserve truth, choice, and access to real options, support this mission.
Every donation fuels research like this, bringing buried treatments to light and putting healing tools back in patients’ hands.
For more on bone health and women’s health, check out these IMA resources:
