>.
>BTW Fosamax does not build bone at all. It stops the osteoclasts from doing
>their job of taking away deteriorated bone, thus deteriorated bone is left
>in the matrix.
>Paula

It is my understanding that the role of osteoclasts is to break down
bone itself.  One of the mechanisms by which parathyroid hormone
raises blood calcium is by stimulating osteoclasts.  Also, calcitonin
has its effect of lowering blood calcium by inhibiting osteoclastic
activity.  Is this not correct?  It is not my understanding that
osteoclasts clean up the debris after the bone has already been
broken down.

Mike
--