Interesting article about reversing osteoporosis

Uma
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I am so tired of being on medication, going to doctors, tweaking supplements, spending a lot of time and money, and not getting any results. Bone density is either the same or (lately) worse, and who knows what side effects are down the road.

Can't we more effectively address the causes instead of trying to manage the symptoms?

I'm really starting to get more interested in diet. I did a google on "alkaline diet for osteoporosis" and there are 53,000 entries, so I think there is something to be explored here. Has anyone tried this approach and if so, with what results?

I've found several very thought-provoking articles including this one(http://www.naturalnews.com/z001559.html) which I would like to share.

Uma

P.S. Just found this link with 45 recipes (free download): http://www.phionbalance.com/App_UI/site/pHion/Public/Acid-Alkaline-Booklet- Subscription.aspx

24 replies

Quarryman

Hi Uma,

What an excellent article - thank you, Uma. On the same theme
I would strongly recommend to people an article in the paper 'Nutrition Action' dated April 2005. In addition to talking about the bad effects of acidic diets the paper discusses the role of Vitamin K (we need 150-250mcg/day - leafy green veg are the best source) as well as potassium (we need about 4700mg/day - sources include potato, banana and the inevitable leafy green veg). The other interesting idea is the claim that we may be ingesting too much vitamin A (they suggest women should take no more than 2330 IU, men 3000IU/day.)
Many of the findings reported in this paper were somewhat tentative in 2005. I'd be really interested to hear from anyone who could update and confirm these findings which might form a valuable addition to conventional treatments.

Quarryman

heid

Interesting article, thank you. Basically, he's saying to cut out the white sugar and flour, something we hear about all the time, add exerecise and sunlight. Osteoporosis is just not quite that simple though! This article over simplifies things but it's a good start for someone who doesn't hav osteoporosis. Michele

Uma

Going on an alkaline diet is actually much more than just cutting out the white sugar and flour. I read several articles when I did the google, and they made a lot of sense to me. The health impact of an acid system (which extends beyond the bones) is actually quite surprising and alarming.

My spine is -3.8 and I am taking this approach very seriously. I do not think it is for prevention only. I've been following my doctors' advice for 11 years and have gotten worse. Why not look at diet in a different way for awhile? I feel I have nothing to lose.

Like anything else, of course, we need to "digest" the information from different sources and find our own way.

Uma

Uma

P.S. From Uma -

It is very disconcerting to become aware of the possibility that the very foods that I worked so hard to incorporate into my diet because they were high in calcium may in fact be making me more acidic. And that the calcium supplements that I am taking may get used to try to restore the balance and never actually get to my bones to improve them. Please note that I am still educating myself in this area and although the above is a paraphrase of something I read, even the possibility of this is upsetting to say the least and certainly worthy of further investigation.

sdivas

Uma, in case you are not aware. There is a pH test (paper) test that is approximately $18 at most health stores. The color chart measures pH from 5.0-9.0. Urine pH should ideally vary from approximately 5.0 (acid in the morning) to 8.0 (alkaline at night) during each 24 hr period. You may choose to do this test for 2 wks both morning and night which may help you decide on any nutritional or lifestyle changes. Sandi

raindancer

Thanks for pH test info Sandi, I think I will get it and see what my body is trying to tell me.

Sally48

Uma
Just wanted to say I am trying to incorporate the alkaline diet. My NP suggested this, and said to read Better Bones Better Bodies. I am now reading The China Study which has a section on osteoporosis. A long term study on the effects around the world with leading researchers. This in effect is saying too much protein and fat is the problem. It is a very interesting and hope it will prove to be advantageous. Hope things get better. Sally 48

nkerr

Just read the article. It's interesting up to a point. 2 of the exercises he mentions, cycling and swimming, are non-weight bearing exercise and as such do not challenge your bones to get stronger. My younger brother is a long distance cyclist and he tells me that one of the problems the people who use cycling as their main source of exercise have is a tendency to osteoporosis. I was a ballet dancer and we used to go to the swimming pool periodically for class becase the water gave good resistance for muscle training and good support to aleviate impact. Also I question jogging, how much concussion do you really want your body to have. Walking is so much less stressful to joints and other body systems. Carry hand weights while you walk for a bit of added good bone stressor. OK, off my soap box, but there is so much questionable advice on some exercises that I just had to wade in.
Naomi

SharonG

Naomi,
Good advice. Of course, swimming and bike riding is good exercise for other reasons. We are not only about our bones. Totally agree about the jogging since I have osteoarthritis in the hip...jogging not a good thing. I don't have fractures at this point, so I will read a couple books and make conservative decisions. The China Study totally confused me. Too much calcium from dairy products? I will eat in moderation, take my vitamins and calcium/D supplements and exercise. I will not take medication that is not approved by my doctor(& FDA) although Strontium looks promising. Keep the articles coming though. Thanks.
Sharon

wilsonaa

I have researched this Ezorb calcium and am including this link http://www.elixirindustry.com/newsletter/index.html to the website and newsletter index where you can read testimonials from people who have used this calicum instead of prescription drugs to treat their osteo and have had incredible results in their bone density. This company has been around for years. This is a natural product and sounds really good and has no known side effects. I think I am going to try it.

Andrea

MillieNeon

You can get pH test rolls much cheaper. For example:

http://www.sargentwelch.com/hydrion-wide-range-ph-test-paper-with-dispenser /p/IG0040453/

MillieNeon

I've long been a fan of pH balance, but unfortunately, I get swayed in the work world and wind up not eating correctly. Usually, when I want to get back on track, I do a cleanse of some sort. I'm hoping to do a mild cleanse for a few weeks using only drinks from Victoria Boutenka's "Greens for Life".

//In addition to talking about the bad effects of acidic diets the paper discusses the role of Vitamin K (we need 150-250mcg/day - leafy green veg are the best source) as well as potassium (we need about 4700mg/day - sources include potato, banana and the inevitable leafy green veg)//

Vegetables are supposed to be less digestible when eaten with fruit (fruit should be eaten separately, usually). But Victoria's theory is that greens are there own food group, and can mix with either veggies or fruit. She claims chimps in the wild have been known to wrap a large green leaf around their bananas.

Victoria has delicious recipes for blending fruits and leafy greens. I use a Vita-Mix, not sure how regular blenders would handle it. But essentially, the drinks are like green smoothies, and the fiber is so blended, it's like chewing it really well. These drinks provide all the protein, nutrients and micro-nutrients I need. It's hard the first 2-3 days, but that's because the body always craves what it's most addicted to. After I've cleared things out for a few days, then my cravings are gone too.

And no, I have to connection to Victoria, and am not using this blog to promote her work. I was just spurred into remembering her work by the above quote and this post on pH balance. I know it's really difficult to get the body back in pH balance, as our whole culture is based on a highly acidic diet.

My 2 cents.

DrJamesWebb

This reply is for those who have been undergoing treatment for a while that has been ineffective.

Make sure that your doctor has excluded vitamin D deficiency. I see this in 95% of the patients I see with osteoporotic fractures and it's easy to correct. From what I have seen, it is THE most reason people who are treated for osteoporosis have no change or decrease in their bone density.

reversiblecat

Yes, I was deficient in Vit. D and am trying to make up for it, but there seems to be some disagreement over which form of supplemental Vit. D is best absorbed. Any suggestions?

As for alkalinity/acidity, does anyone take alkaline drops? Also, I find that taking some fresh undiluted lemon juice (alkaline) daily really helps me.

littlechill

I am 52. I have severe osteoporosis. I just had my second fracture in my spine. I took fosomax for awhile but then stopped. Now my osteoporosis is worse. I had been on the "Hallelujah Acres Diet" for a few years and went off of it about 2 years ago while I was in India. I am going to resume the diet. This diet talks about alkaline and healthy eating. Look at the website www.hacres.com.

MLDobbs

Hi,
I recently read an article in NYTIMES tieing bone loss to high serotonin. In the studies, when serotonin was reduced in lab animals, the bone density increased. I wish these studies were done 10 years ago. I cannot take biosphonates (severe joint pain) and am afraid to take calcitonin (my last option). If you go to NYTIMES & click on 'health' you'll find the article or do a search on osteoporosis & serotonin levels. Hope this helps!

MotherGoose

Thank-you, Dr. Webb, for your very sensible advice!!
More and more research is confirming the vital role of Vitamin D in osteoporosis management -- not only for its enabling the absorption of calcium, but in its value in muscle function.
Lucy Buckley PT aka Mother Goose

April995

Wilson aa,
Do you know what is in Ezorb?
I get leg cramps if I take anything with Vit K-2 in it.

I have Osteo. I took the monthly Boniva for the 1st time last Monday.
Since I had to stay up-right for about one hour, I vacuumed for 1 1/2 hours. Maybe that was not a smart idea!
At about 1am, I started getting in my spine allot of pain, then it went through my body the next day.
I'm still in pain, but not as bad. I will NEVER take anytype of Osteo meds again.
What I am noticeing now is, I'm also getting strange pain in different parts of my body, and its been over a week since I took the Boniva!

My Son was in a bad accident acouple of years ago, and broke his leg in 10 peices, it was not healing well after surgery. The Drs. gave him Foselmax or one of those, and he was also in allot of pain. He took it for a couple of months, but no more for him either.

I'm trying to figure out what type of foods to eat for my Osteo. Or if there are better books then what I have been buying and reading!
I do eat well, and I think take a good Cals, and 2000mg of Vit D, and Mag. plus allot of other Vits.

I do NOT smoke, drink soda's, Coffee, alcohol. or eat allot of salty foods, which all of the above leach Cals from your bones.
I hate to exercise, but I use to do allot of Yoga.
I also blew a disc out of my back two years ago.

All my blood tests show I have high Vit D, and High/normal Cals.

This is all so confusing as what is best to take for Osteoporosis!!

Any suggestion here?

Kathleen I took a look at your website. I'm sorry but your recipes have allot of Salt , high fats, and the wrong type of fats, and white flour and all in them.
Which I do not think is healthy for anyone!!

I'm not over weight, and I'm not looking for a losing weight program.

April 995

April995

BoneLady thank you.
I have read where Strontium gives you a False reading when you take your Osteoporosis scan. it shadows it and makes your bones apear to look like they have filled in , so to speak!
But they have not!!

I will check out your website..Thanks...

Has anyone taken Ezorb for any length of time, to know if it really works?

After having such a bad experiance with Boniva, and reading so much. I'm starting to think we/I'm lucky that it did not agree with us, or Me!
I'm thinking its poisoning our bodies, and there are Healthier ways to rebuild our bones!
Maybe it was a wake up call..

April995

I went to this website about Strontium, and I did not find its very safe to take, or does it really work!!
This is all so confusing..

http://healthspanlife.wordpress.com/2008/05/27/is-strontium-supplement-nece ssary-or-safe-for-osteoporosis/

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