[Jackie07]

Perhaps he has based his advice on this recent report:

Osteoporos Int. 2010 Oct;21(10):1741-50. Epub 2009 Dec 1.
Alendronate reduces osteoclast precursors in osteoporosis.

D'Amelio P, Grimaldi A, Cristofaro MA, Ravazzoli M, Molinatti PA, Pescarmona GP, Isaia GC.
Gerontology Section, Department of Surgical and Medical Disciplines, University of Torino, Corso Bramante 88/90, 10126, Torino, Italy. patrizia.damelio@unito.it
Abstract

This study evaluates the effect of alendronate on osteoclastogenesis, cytokine production, and bone resorption in postmenopausal women. We suggest that it acts on mature bone resorbing osteoclasts after 3 months of treatment, whereas, after 1 year, it diminishes their formation by reducing their precursors and serum RANKL.

INTRODUCTION: Osteoclasts are the target cells of bisphosphonates, though the most drug-sensitive steps of their formation and activity have not been determined. The present study evaluates the effect of alendronate on osteoclastogenesis, cytokine production, and bone resorption in postmenopausal women.

METHODS: The study was conducted on 35 osteoporotic women; 15 were pretreated with alendronate 70 mg/week, whereas, 20 were treated with calcium 1 g/day and vitamin D 800 IU/day. After 3 months, 30 received alendonate 70/mg, vitamin D 2800 IU/week, and calcium 1 g/day for 12 months (combined therapy), whereas, the other five patients remained on calcium 1 g/day and vitamin D 800 IU/day. The following parameters were assessed before and after therapy: changes in bone resorption markers, circulating osteoclast precursors, formation of osteoclasts in peripheral blood mononuclear cell cultures, their viability, and variations in cytokines production.

RESULTS: After 3 months of alendronate, there was no significant reduction in the number of osteoclast precursors, osteoclast formation and viability, and cytokine levels, whereas, there was a significant reduction of bone resorption markers. One year of the combined therapy, on the other hand, reduced osteoclast precursors, osteoclast formation, and serum RANKL, whereas, calcium plus vitamin D alone had no effect.

CONCLUSIONS: We suggest that alendronate mainly acts on mature bone resorbing osteoclasts in the short term, whereas, its long-term administration diminishes their formation by reducing their precursors and serum RANKL.

PMID: 19949772 [PubMed - in process]
[Brand name: Fosamax]

[Fosamax is a type of bisphosphonate drug that is used for the purpose of maintaining or improving the volume of minerals and calcium within the bones (bone density). In short, Fosamax is used in order to stave off bone loss, known medically as osteoporosis. The brand name for alendronate, Fosamax gained Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval in 1995.
Fosamax is manufactured by pharmaceutical juggernaut Merck & Co. and is commonly used as a drug treatment for numerous bone diseases, including osteoporosis and osteitis deformans (Paget's disease).]