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
Already a member? Sign in
Welcome to Inspire!
What - Inspire is a place where you can connect with people who share your health concerns and find information and advice in groups sponsored by organizations you know and trust.
Why - As a member you can use Inspire to let friends and family know how you're doing, contact others who share your health concerns, receive personalized updates and information about participating in surveys and clinical trials, and more.
How - Joining Inspire is completely free and usually takes less than a minute. Join now!
Interesting article about reversing osteoporosis
- By Uma
- Posted November 13, 2008 at 1:42 pm · 60 replies
- In Osteoporosis/Osteopenia treatment
- Shared with the public
- Edited November 13, 2008 at 5:23 pm
Explore topics in this discussion:
Exercise Cancer Celiac disease Surgery Vicodin Muscle cramps Pneumonia Osteopenia Oxycodone Menopause Osteoporosis Osteoarthritis Hysterectomy Boniva GERD Forteo Fractures Alendronate Fosamax Actonel Pain Heartburn
60 replies
- Oldest first
- Newest first
- By Uma
- Posted August 26, 2009 at 9:06 am
- Report post
Hi bonnytiz,
I don't think there is any right or wrong when it comes to food - just different opinions.
If you've seen study results and think that eating prunes will help, then by all means keep doing it.
Even though prune are not considered akaline, another member of this group who is an expert on alkaline diets maintains that one's diet need only be 80% alkaline, so there's plenty of room for prunes in the other 20%.
Uma
- By bonnytiz
- Posted August 25, 2009 at 1:14 pm
- Report post
Im confused now, I thought that prunes were supposed to be wonderful. On another post it states that they did a survey on women eating 9 prunes a day and others eating dried apple. The prune people had gained bone while the apple people hadnt. They are promoting prunes all the way. Ive been trying to eat 9 of them, Im not doing great, I can manage 6!! Now I dont know whether its right or wrong!!
- By April995
- Posted August 25, 2009 at 1:50 am
- Report post
Hi Millie 123,
I do not remember what my Vit D blood test was, but I was told it was very good, and so was my calcium test, that was why I could take Boniva.
I took one monthly boniva, and was sick for two weeks. Never again did I take an other one of that or anything else that was a Drug.
I take 2000iu aday of D-3.
I just bought a new bottle of 1000 iu. I was thinking it might be better to take it twice aday when I take my calcium, then all at one time..Just my opinion!
After reading that Vit D-3 has helped Osteoporosis so much, I wonder if its really the D that is helping our bones more then the Calcium???
Take Care,
April
- By juliemarie
- Posted August 24, 2009 at 5:43 pm
- Report post
That is interesting, Santa Fe. It seems funny that calcitonin makes us nauseous because you spray it in the very entrance of the nose and the blood vessels carry it into our systems. A friend who takes it told me that if it gets into your mouth, spit. At first, it did drip down my throat and into my mouth and it felt as though all of my teeth were going to dissolve. That is what the drug does: 'rough' up the bone surface so that it will absorb the vitamins and minerals easier. Didn't do that for me. But it did make me sick to my stomach to such a degree that I could not get through my normal day . I was also extremely fatigued.
With my natural regimine, I feel great, have lots of energy and am gaining muscle strength.
I called the pharmaceutical company, Usher-Smith, and they were very nice and helpful and sent me some additional information but in the end......no success.
Good for you for keeping ahead of this disease.
juliemarie
- By millie123
- Posted August 24, 2009 at 5:17 pm
- Report post
April: May I ask what your "high vitamin D" levels are? Mine also tested as fine (37) when I first began megadoses (4 months, 50,000 units per week). It went up to 81. I was taken off the megadoses. Now it has dropped back to under 40. Dr. Webb recommends maintaining the levels between 40 and 70ng. Vitamin D Council recommends between 50 and 80. And my bones DID begin to remodel with the supplement. Without the osteo meds.
- By SantaFe
- Posted August 24, 2009 at 4:33 pm
- Report post
Juliemarie,
Thanks for your quick reply---REALLY INTERESTING as I took it for only 3 days, and yesterday I was very nauseous and gut pains all night---thought it was something I ate because they never talk about that with calcitonin. But I only ate my regular food, so was wondering if it was the calcitonin.
How fortuitous that you just happened to right that post!
Thanks for your help,
Santa FE
- By Uma
- Posted August 24, 2009 at 3:19 pm
- Report post
Hi osteochick,
It's just a personal choice, a throw-back to the days I was on an anti-candida diet:
"Mushrooms are fungi, and Candida loves to feed on mould and fungi. Cutting mushrooms out of your diet will help to restrict the infection's growth in your system."
However, when I was finding this quote to send you, I noticed other items on Google saying that mushrooms are fine and might actually be good for candida!
With a lot of foods, I think you could find someone who swears that it's good for you and someone else who strongly disagrees.....
Uma
P.S. to April - thanks for the info on prunes.
- By juliemarie
- Posted August 24, 2009 at 1:20 pm
- Report post
Hi, Santa Fe. Yes, I took calcitonin, the Fortical generic, for six months. My nasal passages were fine. The rest of me is still reeling from it. However, the nausea and biliousness are not the usual side effects. They just affected me that way.
The usual muscle cramps and seizing, bone pain were also there. I cramped so badly one day that I fell while walking across the livingroom. I went into the bathroom and threw up. I thought, "I am trying to tough this out, but I wonder if it is doing more harm than good?" My doctor took a urine test and told me to discontinue it because it wasn't doing any good. They could not measure the harm. I am still a puddle of fat around the middle, something that had never happened before. I get cramps sometimes but those are lessening as the substance gets out of my body. In October I will go to my alternative doctor and see if I can get some hormonal balance back. Calcitonin is a hormone and when you start fiddling with those you knock everything off.
Best of luck. Let us know how you do on the calcitonin.
Cordially, juliemarie
- By SantaFe
- Posted August 24, 2009 at 10:38 am
- Report post
Juliemarie,
I just noticed on your profile that you tried calcitonin with disastrous effects. Could you let me know what they were as I am thinking of trying Miacalcin, the nasal spray.
Thanks for your help,
warmly, Santa Fe
- By April995
- Posted August 24, 2009 at 12:18 am
- Report post
Uma,
I have read on other posts here that Prunes are good for our bones.
If there acid, maybe prunes can be apart of your 20% acid!
Sue,
From what I have understand about Osteoprosis, it's not supose to be painful, unless you fracture. That is why its called the silent decease.
Or I could be wrong!!
The physical therapists I go to shows me how to have better balance, strenthen my inner core, better posture, What I can do , and what I should not do, How to use those rubber bands at home etc.
I understand you have more challenges then I do, but you might consider trying another P.T..
You might want to buy or get from your Library, Sara Meeks book, "Walk Tall".
(Sara Meeks, I just noticed on Amazon what your book is selling for! OMG! )
I do hope your feeling better,
April
- By duzy
- Posted August 22, 2009 at 9:54 pm
- Report post
I took Strontium for 3 month and felt much worse, more bone pain, I agree it is better to try FDA approved medication, please make sure your docto rules out Celiac Disease (blood test, can have endoscopy with biopsy too). I wander if taking Strontium caused more long bone pain I had and progression of osteopenia?
- By juliemarie
- Posted March 3, 2009 at 6:29 pm
- Report post
Many, many thanks, Uma. I have printed your reply and will use it as a starting point to go more alkaline. I am very allergic to dairy and milk products so the yogurt is, unfortunately, out but the rest seems do-able.
Do you eat meat regularly? My doctor said I could if I stuck to organic meats which are very expensive but delicious and I do that.
I also add some umeboshi plum paste that I buy at a Japanese grocery. Just a little bit. They are very alkaline and are included in macrobiotic diets, also. If you are not near a Japanese grocery you can find the paste online.
Good luck to all of us who are working so hard at keeping our health.
- By Uma
- Posted March 3, 2009 at 2:44 pm
- Report post
Juliemarie,
I researched the alkaline diet and initially was very discouraged - a lot of it seemed raw or just plain weird. Also, I have a husband whom I cook for, and I want the meals to be appetizing for both of us.
Following is what I have been doing which so far has been a hit:
1. All veggies with the exception of mushrooms.
2. All fruits (plus raisins) except cranberries, plums and prunes.
3. Grains: buckwheat, millet, quinoa as well as spelt pasta for quick meals. Also basmati rice, sprouted bread, and from the health food store, cream of buckwheat cereal and rice/quinoa/flax seed/sesame seed crackers.
4. Beans: red lentils, green lentils, pinto beans, white navy beans. Also hummus.
3. Nuts: almonds, soy nuts. Also almond butter.
4. Seeds: pumpkin, sesame.
5. Oils/fats/dairy: olive oil, butter as well as yogurt daily.
6. Protein: A couple of eggs a week as well as some tuna. Although these are not alkaline, I feel I need some non-vegetarian protein.
7. Beverages: just water, which is all I've been drinking for years. Adding a slice of lemon makes for a more alkaline beverage.
8. No desserts or sweets which I've been avoiding for a long time, although I would like to work in some healthy ones for my husband when time permits.
I also take daily 1/2 teaspoon of green alkalizing supplement in 8 oz. water (from pH ion - they recommend four times this amount of supplement and water, but I would rather focus more on real food).
I would like to look into juicing and baking at some point, e.g., spelt crackers instead of the boxed crackers from the health food store which are on the expensive side.
Regarding digestion, chewing well (which I could do better at) and eating at least a few hours before bedtime help, as well as eating different foods a little apart from each other.
For example, I will have yogurt mid-morning, and if my lunch is a variety of raw veggies and a hummus sandwich on toast with lettuce, I will eat the raw veggies about 15 minutes before the sandwich if possible.
Although anything new takes a little time to implement, so far an alkaline diet has not been that difficult, and it sure goes down easier than actonel!
Best of luck,
Uma
P.S. It is not necessary to eat 100% alkaline - the consensus from what I read was that 80% alkaline would be effective. I do try to stick to this diet as much as possible, however, to compensate for the occasional less than alkaline meal, e.g., at a relative's home.
- By djatsw47
- Posted March 3, 2009 at 12:58 pm
- Report post
I have a book on it's way that I ordered from a site called bonesource.com. It's about the alkaline diet and mineral supplements, I think. People who have tried it say they were able to reverse declining bone density on their tests within 6 months to a year. I figure it's worth a try instead of poisoning myself with bisphosphonates!
- By juliemarie
- Posted March 3, 2009 at 12:03 pm
- Report post
Fabulous posting, Uma. I also cannot take the prescription drugs. I will recount the reasons on my profile but spare all of you the details here. I am working with a Complementary/Alternative MD in Suffern, NY. He did suggest strontium and I take it mid-afternoon with my Vitamin C. I find it gives me a lift so I avoid taking it at bedtime. However, I will mention it to my conventional doctor when my bone scan is up next.
I was advised to go on an alkaline diet. I found it to be very hard and bad for my digestion. The food just stayed in my tract for days and days. However, after reading this article I am going to go at it again. My mother and grandmother both died from the effects of osteo so I want to explore any avenue that might increase bone mass.
I was a dancer, danced professionally and then retired to go into sales and marketing. I never had a 'sit-down' job. As a result, my legs, spine and hips are terrific. My osteo is in my wrists! I broke my arm years ago and it never healed properly so I avoided putting to much pressure on it. I also overused my left arm--overuse can also contribute to osteo.
Gotta go and get some more Ph paper. $7. at my local Rite-Aid.
Thank you, again, for your message.
- By stmcoyne
- Posted March 3, 2009 at 11:55 am
- Report post
MotherGoose,
Yes, the cold is better for the MS and besides, I really do like snow. Thanks for the info on yoga. I'll look on the site for other things to do. Sometimes the pain keeps me from standing up straight until the stiffness wears off. It's something I've been learning to live with. Right now, I'd rather be dealing with MS than osteo, because that isn't causing any pain and hasn't for a long time.
Thanks again, have a good day!
Sue
- By MotherGoose
- Posted March 3, 2009 at 11:36 am
- Report post
Stymcoyne:
How beautiful a setting! And the cold should be easier on your MS -- is this so for you?
As to the yoga CD, remember that we PTs advise those with bone loss of any degree to NOT bend from the waist or twist the spine on fixed legs. Bend from the HIPS and knees -- which might be problematic for your MS problems. There is advice on proper yoga here on this site under the "discussions". Exercise should be "standing you tall" -- stretching the tightness in the flexors -- muscles that bend us forward and strengthening the extensors that stand us tall. Proper posture is KEY.
Lucy Buckley PT aka Mother Goose
- By stmcoyne
- Posted March 3, 2009 at 9:44 am
- Report post
MotherGoose
I live in Rhinelander, Wisconsin which is about 350 miles north the Chicago, Illinois. It's called the Northwoods here. Lots of trees protected by the state and lovely lakes all over. (I'm renting on a lake and it's beautiful!)
I will check out what you mentioned and see what I find. Once the weather breaks, well at least not much snow on the ground, I'm going to start walking, again. The winter's here can start as early as October and go until May.
Getting in and out of the car wears me out, so it's easier to stay home. I know that's not always good. I have a video of yoga for MS patients. Maybe I should finally take a look at it.
Thanks, again.
Sue
Add to the discussion