Australian clinical researchers have noted an extraordinary and unexpected benefit of osteoporosis treatment – that people taking bisphosphonates are not only surviving well, better than people without osteoporosis, they appear to be gaining an extra 5 years of life.

When compared with other sub-groups taking other forms of treatment, such as Vitamin D (with or without calcium) or hormone therapy, the longer life associated with bisphosphonate treatment was marked and clear. In a group of women with osteoporotic fractures aged older than 75 years, you would expect 50% to die over a period of 5 years. Among women in that age group who took bisphosphonates, the death rate dropped to 10%. Similarly, in a group of younger women, where you would expect 20% to 25% to die over 5 years, there were no deaths. The data were consistent with about a 5 year survival advantage for people on bisphosphonates

It may have something to do with the fact that bone acts as a repository for toxic heavy metals such as lead and cadmium. When people get older, they lose bone. When this happens, these toxic materials are released back into the body and may adversely affect health. By preventing bone loss, bisphosphonates prevent some of this toxic metal release. While we know that this is the case, we don’t yet have evidence that this produces the survival benefit.

Ref: http://www.docguide.com/extra-5-years-life-unexpected-benefit-osteoporosis-treatment?tsid=5