In a new study conducted by Texas A&M University recently published in the journal Nutrition shows that the antioxidant effects of red grapefruit may increase bone density and slow down bone loss (Source: Grapefruit pulp increases antioxidant status and improves bone quality in orchidectomized rats.  Nutrition, Volume 24, Issue 10, Pages 1039 - 1044 Farzad Deyhim et al).

The very promising conclusion was based on a sixty day study involving a total of fifty-six male rats. Forty-two rats were castrated to induce oxidative stress and lower testosterone levels so as to increase their risk of osteoporosis. One-third of the rats were then fed a regular diet, one-third were fed the same food plus five percent red grapefruit pulp, and the other third were fed the same diet plus ten percent red grapefruit pulp.

When compared to the unaltered rats, the castrated rats on a normal diet showed a substantial decrease in bone density, overall bone quality and antioxidant levels. They also lost more calcium and showed signs of bone breakdown markers in the urine. And while all the castrated rats showed a decrease in the magnesium and calcium levels in their bones, the decrease was not as severe among the rats fed the grapefruit pulp.

The altered rats not fed grapefruit pulp showed a 16%-24% percent reduction of the calcium and magnesium content in the lumbar spine. While the rats fed the grapefruit pulp had a decrease of only 10%-16%. Similar results were obtained for the hipbone density results of both groups.

If you don’t have the book yet I just urge you to read this article and to soak up as much information as possible.

The Merck Manual (the world’s best-selling medical textbook and published, ironically, by the makers of Fosamax) defines osteoporosis as “a systemic skeletal disease characterized by low bone mass and micro-architectural deterioration of bone, with a consequent increase in bone fragility and susceptibility to fracture.”

Whoa, now that’s a mouthful.  Put in simpler terms, the Merck Manual defines osteoporosis as the loss of bone mineral density… no ifs, ands, or buts about it.  But if you notice, it fails to explain what causes osteoporosis - it only describes the condition.

If we were to think along the same lines as Merck, when aging skin loses collagen and is more likely to wrinkle, is that a “skin disease”?  Of course not!

As revealed in-depth in The Bone Health Revolution (pages 8, 9, 18), a true definition of osteoporosis must explain its root cause (more often than not, conventional medicine treats the symptoms but not the source).  In a nutshell, and based on a number of medical studies, osteoporosis and osteopenia are caused by our bodies trying to correct a very crucial biochemical imbalance - and surprisingly it’s not related to a calcium
deficiency.

When defined this way, it becomes clear that osteoporosis is NOT a disease.

And here’s what Dr. Karl Insogna, Director of the Bone Center at Yale School of Medicine has to say about our ability to rebuild strong and healthy bones:

“We tend to think of the skeleton as at inert erector set that holds us up and doesn’t do much else. That’s not true. Every bit as dynamic as other tissues, bone responds to the pull of muscles and gravity, repairs itself, and constantly renews itself.”

Basically Dr. Insogna is confirming that our bones are “living” tissue, that can regenerate and strengthen themselves, as long as you know what to do.  In fact 5-10% of all our bone tissue is renewed during one year!

Amazingly, this turns everything we’ve been told about osteoporosis upside down… because if osteoporosis is not a “disease”, then it can be reversed without resorting to dangerous prescription drugs.

But unfortunately mainstream medicine takes this flawed approach:

1.  Get a Bone Mineral Density test

2.  Quickly review it to see if the T-score fits the diagnostic guidelines

3.  And if it does, hand out a prescription.  Oh, and don’t forget to remind the patient that if she doesn’t take the medicine she’ll end up in a wheel chair and maybe even die.

But don’t fret - there is a better way.

For now, stay strong,

Vivian

Didn’t say anything about milk, but when I was having babies, my doctor said if he had his way, children wouldn’t have any milk AFTER they were weaned from the mother.  At THAT time, I thought HE was strange!  Maybe not.

M.

A:  Hi M.,

Thanks for taking the time to share your story with me. The bottom line about calcium is that if we find the reason why our bones leak calcium, and stop the cause, we don’t need large amounts. I take only 500 mg a day and have reversed my bone loss by 20% with my program. In other words, calcium is a “patch”, like telling a person with a hemorrhage  to  have daily blood transfusions.

And  it is true,  since we are not calves, we should not drink cow’s milk. It’s completely unnatural and detrimental to our health. To make matters worse, the dairy industry is what creates the very cruel veal industry, since in order to produce milk, cows must have babies at all times.

All the best,

Vivian

It’s also very sad that you glop all doctors together and make statements like ” there is a lot more to predicting future  fracture risk than a simple T-score, which is the only guideline  doctors use”. I don’t know many physicians that do only use them

Can’t you still get the word out without damning all physicians? I have had no problem recommending your book to my patients, because, like you, the more knowledge a person has the better. Maybe I should reconsider…..

Sincerely,

Dr. A.

A:  Hi Dr. A.,

Thanks for taking the time to share your thoughts with me. I’d like to clarify why I write about current medical protocol the way I do. I am highly respectful of doctors, as they not only devote many years of study and sacrifice, but also dedicate their entire lives to improve the health of their patients. There is no doubt in my mind that all doctors, like you, have the best of intentions.

But when I mention “doctors” I refer to current medical protocol, not the individuals. I am sure that many years ago, when doctors were recommending cigarettes to their patients to reduce anxiety and as a digestive aid, they had their patient’s best interest in mind.

My emails don’t warn against doctors, quite the contrary, they point out to the importance of using information properly, to have an open dialog with the health practitioner, and to not rush to treat non life-threatening disorders as part of a cookie cutter protocol. Your point is well taken, though, and I will make sure that in future emails there will be no room for error to make my readers think that I’m blasting doctors.

Several of my readers have sent me emails thrilled about having shared The Bone Health Revolution with their doctors, discussing the information, and agreeing to pursue the alternative plan in lieu of taking prescriptions.

As you write, knowledge is power.

Warmest regards,

Vivian

I really disagree that milk is acidic. Perhaps other dairy products are but not milk unless it is going bad.  Usually it is very close to neutral and my chemistry classes test it every year.

N.

A:  Hi N.,

Thanks so much for taking the time to share your thoughts with me. Milk is least acidic when it’s unpasteurized and raw. However, all animal-derived proteins have been scientifically proven to be acidic.

Many published studies show that when animal protein is consumed (regardless of the source), so much calcium leaks from our bones that there is calcium in the urine (it’s called hypercalcinuria). The only dairy products that are not acidic are soured milk products such as unsweetened yogurts, kefir and sour cream.

Warmest regards,

Vivian

Just a question regarding sunshine and vitamin D… just how much skin needs to be exposed in the 20 minutes a week for the sun’s rays to give you the amount of vitamin D needed?

Hope you are able to help with the above request.

Regards,

N.

A:  Hi Noreen,

Your question is a very good one indeed. While uncovered skin will absorb the maximum amount of ultraviolet rays, research shows that they pass through some fabrics such as open-weave fabrics, lightweight knits, and nylon stockings. Also, t-shirts worn while swimming allow ultraviolet rays to pass through, and ultraviolet rays even penetrate water, but lose half their intensity.

Fortunately, these rays are very stubborn: they are present on hazy days and bounce off bright surfaces, such as snow, pavement or sand.

So the main thing is to spend a little time outdoors and have fun in the sun.

Warmest regards,

Vivian

Forgive my ignorance, would you kindly explain to me the difference.

Many thanks,

D.

A:  Hi D.,

Osteoarthritis is an inflammatory and painful condition that may be found in people with osteoporosis (thinning of the bones), which is not painful unless fractures occur. In The Bone Health Revolution I explain that osteoporosis is caused by a biochemical imbalance that the body is trying to correct (it has to do with the pH balance).

In some cases, typically when the acid pH is excessive, acid residue accumulates in the connective tissues resulting in osteoarthritis.

All the best,
Vivian
www.SaveOurBones.com

M.

A: Hi M.,

The ideal balance between calcium and magnesium is 2 to 1, but here’s the trick: what counts is not the total mg. but the elemental quantity which may or may not be disclosed on the label. Check it out and let me know when you have a chance.

Regards,

Vivian

Speaking of organic, is it really, truly better than ordinary? If so, then why? I’m so cynical these days, I don’t know what to think.

I see your point about the pH testing, but I find it enlightening and interesting, if not a teensie bit frustrating. I am loving mineral water with lemon. I adore watermelon and eat it like crazy. Summer fruits are so scrumptious!

Thanks for all the wonderful tips.

C.

A:  Hi Carolyn,

I hope you’re enjoying the holiday. Organic foods are “better” because they’re the way food is supposed to be (they should be the “ordinary” foods): pesticide and GMO free. These additives make food more acidic also. Unfortunately, now we have to pay a premium to eat unadulterated foods… What a paradox! So I’m aware that the extra cost may pose a financial burden.

All the best,

Vivian

Thanks for a reply.

C.

A: Hi C.,

Thanks for taking the time to share your story with me. In The Bone Health Revolution I do mention hormone balancing, something that I’m against because it’s unnatural to supplement hormones that normally dwindle as we age.

I believe that as mammals, we were created so that we can maintain our health without interfering with our normal biological cycles.

In Chapter 8 of The Bone Health Revolution I provide an easy step by step guide to manage our bone health called The Bone Health Action Plan. Not to mention that in earlier chapters of the book I explain in great detail the truth about osteoporosis and osteopenia.

All the best,

Vivian