You see, I know firsthand that it’s not easy to turn away from your doctor’s mainstream treatment ...]]> If you feel alienated and ‘on your own’ because you are considering or are already following an alternative treatment for osteoporosis or osteopenia, I have great news for you: you are definitely not alone.

You see, I know firsthand that it’s not easy to turn away from your doctor’s mainstream treatment recommendations. And sometimes, it can feel as though you are swimming upstream, against the tide… in a cold and dark ocean.

I know it because I felt the same way during my quest for the truth about osteoporosis.

But even though there were times when I thought I might drown, I never sank to the bottom. And each time I found new knowledge, I gained momentum and rose to the surface with even more energy than before.

Each piece of information I gathered, gave me the strength I needed to pursue my goal and to finish my endeavor.

I kept reminding myself that pioneers are often ridiculed and ignored… that new discoveries are usually not readily accepted by the mainstream establishment.

And after putting my research into use, I finally solved my own osteoporosis problem and my bone density results increased by a whopping 20%.

When you realize that you’re part of a community that is growing by leaps and bounds, it becomes easier to decide against taking osteoporosis drugs and to follow alternative solutions.

Alternative therapies are used by a majority of adults over 50

CAM – short for Complementary and Alternative Medicine – is best described as a variety of medical and health care systems, practices, and products not considered to be part of mainstream medicine. Diet-based therapies and natural supplements are a very popular form of CAM. Of course, the Save Our Bones Program is a perfect example of a CAM therapy.

While there is little or no mention of CAM in the media or at your doctor’s office, it is rapidly gaining ground in the US. “Millions of Americans every year are turning to Complementary and Alternative Medicine,” says Richard L. Nahin, Ph.D.

Dr. Nahin was involved in a survey that shows startling results: 38 percent of American adults use CAM in one form or another (Barnes, PM; Bloom, B; Nahin, R. CDC National Health Statistics Report #12. CAM Use Among Adults and Children: United States, 2007. December 2008).

Surprisingly, those aged 50 to 59 are the most prevalent medical “adventurers” in the US. In fact, almost two-thirds of adults 50 and older use some form of CAM. (Barnes P, Powell-Griner E, McFann K, Nahin R., CDC Advance Data Report #343. Complementary and Alternative Medicine Use Among Adults: United States, May 2004).

So if until now you thought that you are part of a minority group, you can rest assured that that’s not the case.

Alternative Medicine now taught at Medical Schools

A well-known market principle is that demand for a certain product will sooner or later bring about a supply of that product. Fortunately, this also applies to CAM, and it is quite possibly the reason why a variety of alternative medicine courses are popping up in medical colleges throughout the United States.

Further supporting this important development, the curriculum director of the University of Minnesota’s alternative medicine department, Mary Jo Kreitzer, comments that “Consumers are demanding it (alternative therapies)… You could say that in that respect, we are advocates.”

And when several students attending Medical School at the University of Minnesota were interviewed by an Associated Press writer in 2007, they expressed their delight at having the opportunity to learn about alternative medicine and said they would be more willing to recommend a variety of CAM therapies.

This is a welcome change in the natural therapy arena, especially since researchers document that when patients tell doctors about their CAM use, most of the time physicians brush off the topic (Corbin Winslow L., Shapiro H., “Physicians want education about complementary and alternative medicine to enhance communication with their patients.” Archives of Internal Medicine, 2002 May 27).

This might be explained by a survey of doctors that confirms they feel unqualified to discuss CAM, mainly due to a lack of training in that area of treatment (Milden S.P., Stokols D. “Physicians’ attitudes and practices regarding Complementary and Alternative Medicine.” Behavioral Medicine, Summer 2004).

As the CAM trend continues to expand in the future, doctors will have to keep up with the latest alternative methods or be ready see their patient base shrink.

Small steps in the right direction

Even though many medical schools have elective classes on CAM therapies, students are not openly encouraged to enroll in those courses. For example, a spokeswoman for Harvard University said that Harvard does not advocate alternative medicine. This statement gives us a clear indication that the medical establishment, while recognizing that there is a growing need for doctors to learn about alternative therapies, is still unconvinced of its benefits.

The Save Our Bones community

And now, you and I are really part of something special. I’m talking about this natural osteoporosis community that we’re a part of. Did you know that an average of 16,100 osteoporosis ‘truth-seekers’ just like you are joining us every week?

It’s true. An average of 2,300 fellow ‘osteoporosis conquerors’ just like you and me are joining us EVERY day!

And at the time I’m writing this, tens of thousands of you have used the Save Our Bones Program to naturally conquer osteoporosis and osteopenia and increase your bone density naturally.

So when you wish to tackle osteoporosis without taking the commonly prescribed drugs, your knowledge-based convictions play a crucial role. Like millions of others, you can establish an open dialogue with your doctor, discuss what he or she recommends with the understanding that there are natural alternatives to the mainstream treatment.

And remember this: you are not alone.

What makes tomatoes even more special is that they’re in season year-round so it’s an easy and delicious way to benefit from lycopene’s ...]]> Did you ever stop to think what makes tomatoes turn red? It’s the powerful bone-building antioxidant lycopene, also present in watermelons, pink grapefruits, apricots, papayas, and other fruits.

What makes tomatoes even more special is that they’re in season year-round so it’s an easy and delicious way to benefit from lycopene’s powerful antioxidant properties.

Antioxidants protect cells from the damaging effects of free-radicals, and studies show that lycopene in particular protects and stimulates osteoblasts, which are important bone-building cells that synthesize and deposit bone matrix (Kim, Rao, Journal of Medicinal Food, “Lycopene II – Effect on osteoblasts”. 2003).

Harness the power of cooked tomatoes

According to researchers, the bioavailability or absorption of lycopene is greatest when tomatoes are cooked with olive oil (Fielding JM et al., Asia Pacific Journal of Clinical Nutrition. “Increases in plasma lycopene concentration after consumption of tomatoes cooked with olive oil.” 2005).

You see, when tomatoes are cooked, the lycopene in the raw tomato is converted into trans-lycopene, which is more readily absorbed.

Amazingly, this study showed an even greater increase in plasma lycopene concentrations in subjects who consumed tomatoes cooked in olive oil.

In light of this, I’ve found a simple and sumptuous way to incorporate the bone building power of cooked tomatoes into my diet, and I’d like to invite you to…

Try my easy tomato recipe

I love both raw and cooked tomatoes, and always make sure I include them in at least one meal each day. But I also don’t want to be constantly bothered cooking them on a daily basis. Thankfully, I found this recipe that only takes five minutes to prepare.

Oven-Dried Tomatoes

INGREDIENTS
4 pounds ripe tomatoes, cut in half
2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
5 cloves garlic, cut in half lengthwise
4 sprigs fresh thyme, torn (optional)
¼ teaspoon sea salt
¼ teaspoon black pepper

DIRECTIONS
1. Preheat oven to 300 degrees Fahrenheit
2. Line shallow pans with parchment paper
3. Combine tomatoes, olive oil, salt and pepper in large bowl
4. Arrange cut sides up on pans
5. Scatter thyme pieces and garlic over tomatoes
6. Bake for four and a half hours or until tomatoes brown and begin to collapse
7. Let cool on parchment paper over wire rack
8. Refrigerate in a container or bag for up to one week

I use these delicious tomatoes in sandwiches, stews, salads, and pasta.

And one more thing: tomatoes taste best when they are stored at room temperature, away from direct sun, because refrigeration diminishes one of their flavor components, (2)-3-dexenal. And if they begin to overripe, you can either refrigerate or cook them.

Conclusion

Anyone who knows me, knows that I have a “love affair” with vegetables. My children sometimes roll their eyes when I interrupt dinner to speak about how amazing it is that nature provides us with everything we need to stay healthy, and that these wonders literally grow from the earth.

We shouldn’t cease to marvel at the power of nature. By eating lycopene-rich tomatoes and following the Save Our Bones Program you can harness the awesome bone-building power of nature, and restore your bones to their “normal” state.

Next time you’re about to bite into a tomato, think about this and smile.

Oh, and feel free to share your favorite tomato recipe with our community by leaving a comment below.

You should welcome being in control of your decisions because nobody is more qualified to make bone health decisions for yourself than you.

But because you may not be sure of yourself, you ...]]> Decisions, decisions, decisions! Wouldn’t it be wonderful if you didn’t have to make them? The answer is no.

You should welcome being in control of your decisions because nobody is more qualified to make bone health decisions for yourself than you.

But because you may not be sure of yourself, you might become stressed and anxious.

So today, I want to give you the five main reasons why you are more than qualified to make your own osteoporosis choices – regardless of what anyone else tells you…

Because you are a truth-seeker

Nothing can stop you from finding the truth. The mere fact that you are on this website proves it.

You want to discover the truth about your osteoporosis diagnosis, about the drugs you were prescribed, and everything else you need to know, so you can make an educated decision. While others blindly accept what they’ve been given and told, you are willing to go the extra mile.

This isn’t to say that you will actively disobey what your doctor tells you, but rather you would like to discuss your findings with him or her in an open and pleasant dialogue. As George Lundberg, M.D., executive vice-president and editor-in-chief of Medicalogic/Medscape states in an interview, “physicians need to welcome the idea of patients being interested in their own health.” Amen, George!

Because you question everything

You want detailed, common-sense information and you won’t settle for the proverbial “because I say so.”

You want to get to the bottom of things. But did you know that unlike you, most doctors don’t research the latest health information?

The US Department of Health and Human Services reports that “once a new piece of scientific evidence emerges as a medical advance, it takes up to 17 years before doctors routinely incorporate that information into how they practice medicine” (Comparative Effectiveness Research: What It Means for You, Carolyn M. Clancy, M.D, April 7, 2009).

In light of this, it surely does not look like a good idea to rely on your doctor for the latest information on any health topic, let alone osteoporosis.

Because only you know what your “normal” feels like

You know yourself better than anyone else, so you know when you’re just not feeling right. I receive many emails from readers about how doctors denied the side-effects they suffered while taking osteoporosis drugs, and flatly transferred the blame to another unrelated condition.

For example, many in our community wrote that when they complained of acid reflux while taking bisphosphonates (a common side-effect of those drugs), the doctor would blame it on stress, and handed out yet another prescription for an anxiety drug. More often than not, stories like these don’t have a happy ending… As the saying goes, “practice makes perfect”, and you have been practicing at being “you” since the day you were born.

Because you did not study Medicine

You see, Medical students immerse themselves in a wide array of complicated subjects, and they also need to memorize information on thousands of prescription drugs. The Physician’s Desk Reference has information on over 4,000 drugs, and the number keeps growing every year. Clearly, doctors are exposed to an overwhelming amount of data.

So it is not surprising that Dr. Barbara Starfield of the Johns Hopkins School of Hygiene and Public Health writes that there are about 250,000 iatrogenic deaths (physician-caused deaths) per year in the USA. Plus there are 12,000 unnecessary surgeries, 7,000 medication errors in hospitals, 20,000 “other errors” in hospitals, 80,000 infections acquired in hospitals, and 106,000 “non-error, negative effects of drugs.”

Alarmingly, medical-induced deaths are the third leading cause of death in the USA, after heart disease and cancer (B. Starfield, M.D., Journal of the American Medical Association, Is US health really the best in the world? July 2000).

Fortunately, you have an edge over any doctor because you only have to focus on your own health issues. If you’ve gone through the Save Our Bones Program and read the articles on this website, you most likely are already more of an expert on the truth about osteoporosis than your own doctor is!

Because you are self-sufficient

You know that your body is designed for health and not for disease, so you trust its ability to heal itself. Even a single microscopic cell in your body has more chemical processes going on than all the chemical factories in the world combined. Now multiply that by about 75 trillion, which is the approximate number of cells in your body, and you’ve got yourself an industrial complex the likes of which you’ll never see on our planet.

Indeed, osteoporosis prescriptions drugs are no match to what your osteoblasts and osteoclasts can do.

And let’s not forget that Nature also gives you a helping hand to improve your bone health. For example, there are approximately 8,000 bone-healthy plant polyphenols that can help increase the production of osteoblasts (Garie G. Duthie et al. Plant Polyphenols: are they the new magic bullet? Proceedings of the Nutrition Society, 2003).

These powerful antioxidants are found in every day fruits like apples, cherries, cantaloupe, pears and grapes.

Conclusion

Now that you know that you are your best bone health decision-maker, it will help you achieve peace of mind. And then, a beautiful thing happens: along with the peace of mind comes less stress, better decisions, and better overall bone health. As I mentioned before, this website is testimony to your willingness to take responsibility for your bone health and to the power in your decisions – I’m glad you made it here.

His book reveals how to train your balance and prevent fractures with simple exercises that you can do at home with no equipment in just ten minutes ...]]> Mike Ross, an exercise physiologist, recently contacted me and sent me a copy of his book on balance exercises, “The Balance Manual.”

His book reveals how to train your balance and prevent fractures with simple exercises that you can do at home with no equipment in just ten minutes a day. No matter what condition your bones are in, it’s always smart to improve your balance.

I was so thoroughly impressed with his work that I wanted to bring this information to you, so I decided to interview him. And as expected, Mike shared some fascinating information and tips on fracture prevention and a lot more.

After listening to the interview head over to: BetterBalanceNow.com to get Mike’s FREE 6-part better balance course.

Listen to the complete interview by clicking the “PLAY” button below:

Undoubtedly, you can’t help but notice the widespread media coverage on the dangers of ...]]> Most of us love the change of seasons, and if you live in the Northern Hemisphere, chances are you are enjoying the cool autumn air and the lovely shades of gold and auburn taking over the landscape.

Undoubtedly, you can’t help but notice the widespread media coverage on the dangers of the “flu season”, especially now with the ongoing swine flu pandemic, urging everyone to get vaccinated against the seasonal flu. Local pharmacies, doctor’s offices and hospitals are pitching the flu shot as the only and best solution to prevent infection. But there is no mention of the ONE most important thing you can do to stay healthy during flu season, and it has to do with having a strong immune system.

Shhhh… This Subject is a Big Taboo…

It seems that any relevant discussion about the state of your immunity is a huge taboo, and this most critical component of health is NEVER discussed. But what if I told you that getting vaccinated could actually INCREASE your chances of catching the flu? If you asked my mother, she would wholeheartedly agree with this statement because that’s exactly what happened to her.

My mother and I are very close, and we often have conversations about different topics, including health issues. Of course, it is one of my priorities to stay on top of everything she does to stay healthy, and thankfully, she is incredibly healthy and looks (and acts) many years younger than her age.

A couple of years ago she called me on her way back from the supermarket where a lady in a booth convinced her to take the seasonal flu shot. I was very disturbed by this, not only because it is so unethical to prey on the elderly with scare tactics about the flu, but also because I knew that these shots are toxic and actually may do more harm than good.

Sure enough, approximately 10 days later, my mother fell ill with a terrible flu and was in bed for more than a week, with high fever and an awful chest cough. She had to take antibiotics and the cough lasted a few weeks until fortunately it all cleared up. Now bear in mind that my mother had never caught the flu for at least the last 20 years, and that one time when she actually got vaccinated, she suffered the worst flu case she could remember.

Can the Flu Shot do More Harm than Good?

Because I want to help you stay healthy – as our bone health more often than not reflects our overall health – I will go over the myths and the scientific truths about the flu and the flu shots. With this information in hand, you’ll have the tools to make an educated decision about getting the flu shot or not. So let’s get started with…

Myth # 1: The flu needlessly claims tens of thousands of lives every year

The truth: In order to convince you to take the flu shot, your doctor might try to scare you saying that influenza is the most frequent cause of death from vaccine-preventable diseases in the U.S. Your health practitioner is most probably using the information from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) claiming that from 1990 through 1998, an average of 36,000 flu-related pulmonary and circulatory deaths occurred each season in the United States.

What the CDC fails to disclose is that there is no way of knowing how many people who died from underlying respiratory and circulatory problems actually had the influenza infection. Records simply do not disclose that information, making this an inaccurate number of deaths related to the flu and a monumental scare tactic.

Myth # 2: Getting the flu shot protects you from catching the flu

The truth: Scientists agree that what gets you sick is not the actual virus but the condition of your immune system. In other words, a weak immune system is what may let you catch the flu.

As in my mother’s case, many people catch the flu after getting vaccinated. How can that be? The common sense answer is that vaccines actually compromise the immune system. In other words, the flu shot keeps the immune system “busy” fighting what most of the time ends up being the wrong type of viruses.

The sad truth rarely mentioned in the mainstream media and by health practitioners is that the vaccines are manufactured one year in advance. So, aided by researchers, vaccine manufacturers have to guess one year in advance which viruses will strike the next flu season. That is why more often than not, the flu outbreaks involve strains that do not match the current flu shot (http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/96913.php). But the public is not informed of this mishap… Even so (and against all logic), the CDC still maintains that the shot could provide cross-protection against the new variant.

Myth # 3: Flu shots contain safe ingredients

The truth: Flu shots have many toxic and potentially dangerous chemicals. Because the virus strains are bred in eggs, sheep guts, monkey brains or fetal diploid tissue, manufacturers have to use potent preservatives to prevent bacteria or fungus from contaminating the vaccine. Most of the preservatives used are known to be toxic and some are even recognized carcinogens listed by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Additionally, some flu shots contain live “attenuated” viruses, capable of actually causing side-effects identical to the flu.

Would You Put these Toxic Chemicals in Your Body?

I randomly chose three popular flu shots and came up with a scary list of stabilizers and preservatives used in them. Antibiotics also act as preservatives in the shots, and I marked them with an asterisk (*).

Below are the brand names and the preservatives used in each:

Fluvirin by Medeva Pharmaceuticals

Contains influenza virus, neomycin*, polymyxin*, beta-propiolactone, chick embryonic fluid.

Beta-propiolactone is a potent and toxic disinfectant used to sterilize blood plasma, shots, tissue grafts, surgical instruments, and enzymes. It is also “reasonably expected to be a human carcinogen”, especially when injected into the bloodstream (International Agency for Research on Cancer, 1999).

Hib Titer Haemophilus Influenza by Connaught Laboratories

Contains Haemophilus influenza Type B, polyribosylribitol phosphate, ammonium sulfate, formalin, and sucrose.

Ammonium sulfate is an inorganic chemical compound commonly used as a fertilizer and as an agricultural spray enhancer for water soluble insecticides, herbicides, and fungicides. It is widely recognized as a gastrointestinal, liver toxicant, neurotoxicant and respiratory toxicant.

Formalin was originally designed for the purposes of disinfecting and preserving tissue for embalming. It kills cell tissue by dehydrating it and replacing the normal fluid in the cells with a gel-like rigid compound. Quoting from the EPA’s website (http://www.epa.gov/iaq/formalde.html), “…formaldehyde has been shown to cause cancer in animals and may cause cancer in humans.” It is also a gastrointestinal or liver toxicant immunotoxicant, neurotoxicant, reproductive toxicant, respiratory toxicant, and skin or sense organ toxicant.

Sucrose is regular table sugar, and as little as 100 grams of refined white sugar (one can of regular soda has 10 percent of that amount) has been scientifically proven to depress immune activity by half.

Flushield by Wyeth-Ayerst

Contains trivalent influenza virus, types A&B gentamicin sulphate*, formaldehyde, thimerosal, and polysorbate 80 (Tween-80), chick embryonic fluid.

Formaldehyde: please refer to Formalin.

Thimerosal is a mercury derivative and a highly toxic heavy metal that attacks every organ and system in the body. Thimerosal is made of thiosalicylic acid and a form of mercury called ethyl mercury. When all is said and done, mercury is 49.59% of the weight of thimerosal. Researchers have confirmed that it’s unsafe to touch or swallow the mercury from a broken thermometer, yet health practitioners recommend that you inject the same poison directly into your body through a shot. Additionally, some studies have linked high levels of mercury to Alzheimer’s disease. Thimerosal is a registered pesticide with the Department of Pesticide Registration of the Environmental Protection Agency.

Polysorbate 80 (also known as Tween 80): Generally contaminated with the carcinogen 1,4-dioxane, it has been shown to have estrogenic alterative effects and cause reproductive disturbances in rats.

The Baffling Shot Paradox

If vaccinations are really effective, then those who choose to get the flu shot should be immune to the disease. So why is there such a strong push to vaccinate as many people as possible? Aren’t those who get the shot protected anyways? And if this is true, we should ask doctors why, as statistics show, only 40% of health practitioners take the shot while practically 100% of doctors recommend the flu shot to their patients. Maybe they know something we don’t…until now.

Breaking News: Six Canadian Provinces Halt Flu Vaccinations

In an unprecedented move, the provinces of Quebec, Ontario, Alberta, Saskatchewan, British Columbia, and Nova Scotia have stopped their seasonal flu vaccinations, as reported in The Globe and Mail on 9/29/2009 (http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/national/more-flu-programs-suspended/article1304958/). This is due to a controversial yet unpublished study indicating that those who took the flu shot were twice as likely to catch the swine flu.

Quoting from the article, “For those people still on the fence, this could very easily put them into the no-vaccine side of things,” said Donald Low, chief microbiologist at Toronto’s Mount Sinai Hospital.” And Ethan Rubinstein, head of adult infectious diseases at the University of Manitoba, agreed that the study “complicates” the situation, evidently not aware of the clear indication that shots actually distract the immune system and thus, greatly impair the ability to fight a full-fledged viral attack.

Ten Ways to Naturally Boost Your Immune System

The human body is fully equipped with mechanisms to stave off viruses and germs, so the key to preventing flu viruses is to maintain those systems operating at their peak. The good news is that you can strengthen your immune system with natural supplements, beneficial immune-specific foods, and by paying attention to a few simple lifestyle habits.

So whether you decide to get vaccinated or not, here are ten suggestions to naturally boost your immune system.

1. Vitamin D

We all know that flu season hits in the winter, when – especially in cold climates – we typically get very little or no sun exposure. You might be surprised to know that we carry a variety of influenza viruses throughout the year, so something must happen in the winter. Realizing this, researches searched for the connection, and found a strong correlation between Vitamin D levels and immunity (Source: Cannell et.al., On the Epidemiology of Influenza. Virology Journal, 2008;5:29). Good levels of Vitamin D are crucial to help you fight against viruses and to keep you healthy year round. Make sure you take at least 1,000 IU of Vitamin D3 during the winter, regardless of sun exposure.

Vivian Recommends:
VITAMIN D-3 1000 I.U. KOSHER-1000 i.u.-90-Tablets

2. Aloe Vera

This multi-tasking plant believed to originate in Northern Africa, has long and thick leaves that contain a liquid gel, rich in valuable nutrients. Among other things, aloe gel contains high amounts of a long chain sugar called mucopolysaccharides which boost the immune modulators to fight off viruses and bacteria. They also penetrate all cell membranes and increase their fluidity and permeability, allowing toxins to flow out of the cell and nutrients to enter the cells. Drink 2 to 4 oz. of Aloe Vera juice, preferably cold-processed.

3. Mushroom Extracts (Shiitake, Reishi, Maitake)

these mushrooms have excellent immune-boosting properties. Shiitake mushrooms are an excellent source of lentinan, a polysaccharide that increases T-cell function and can be used for cooking. Reishi mushrooms contain immunologically active polysaccharides, mainly beta-D-glucan, that have potent immune-stimulating qualities. Maitake mushrooms are delicious and rich in a potent immune stimulant that enhances the activity of key immune cells. Try to incorporate these mushrooms in your daily menu and during the winter, take mushroom extract supplements.

4. Reduce Your Sugar Consumption

Table sugar and high fructose corn syrup raise your blood insulin levels, which in turn decreases the release of growth hormone and weakens your immune system. Glucose also competes with Vitamin C needed by white blood cells to kill viruses and bacteria. Scientific studies have shown that consuming 100 grams of sugar reduces the immune function by 50 percent within an hour. To give you an idea of what this measurement means, a level teaspoon of white sugar is 5 grams and about 20 teaspoons of sugar would amount to 100 grams. Sounds like a lot? Let’s do the math: one can of soda has the equivalent of 9 teaspoons of sugar, and a 20 oz. bottle of regular soda has the equivalent of 15 teaspoons. Stay away from foods or drinks that contain large amounts of sugar and instead, whenever possible, use stevia, a natural plant-derived sweetener.

5. Vitamin C

The “Old Faithful” of antioxidants, Vitamin C plays an important role in the prevention of colds and the flu. A study involving marathon runners, skiers and soldiers training in the Arctic showed that taking an average of 625 mg of Vitamin C a day decreased the incidence of colds by 50% (Source: Douglas RM, Hemila H, D’Souza R, Chalker EB, Treacy B. Vitamin C for preventing and treating the common cold. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2004). Take 500 mg. of Vitamin C a day throughout the entire year to keep your immune system at optimum levels.

Vivian Recommends:
VITAMIN C-500 mg. with ROSE HIPS Time Release-500 mg.-100-Easy to Swallow Coated Tablets

6. Garlic

This delicious culinary ingredient has antibacterial, antiviral, antifungal, and antiseptic properties, and has long been used to fight off and prevent colds and infections. The active ingredient is allicin, and it is present in both raw and cooked garlic. Try to eat two garlic cloves a day, and if you don’t want to have “garlic breath”, add two crushed cloves to your favorite recipe or take a garlic supplement.

Vivian Recommends:
DEODORIZED GARLIC 500MG CAPS-500 mg.-100-Rapid Release Capsules

7. Probiotics

Friendly intestinal bacteria play a key role in keeping the immune system functioning at optimal levels. They compete with pathogens for cellular nutrients, thereby inhibiting the “invader’s” growth. One type of probiotic, Lactobacillus rhamnosus, prevents allergens and pathogens from entering the bloodstream. An article published in Nutrition Research (2001) shows that taking L. rhamnosus results in increased levels of leucocyte phagocytosis, a marker of immune activity. My recommendation: eat at least 8 oz. of unsweetened plain yogurt each day as a natural source of probiotics. You can use stevia or honey as a sweetener, and sprinkle with granola for crunch. If you have taken antibiotics in the past, you should take a supplement for at least six months to bring your intestinal flora up to par, and then continue with the yogurt.

8. Zinc

This essential yet often ignored trace element helps support the immune system. A study in men and women aged 65 and over found that taking 25 mg/day of zinc a day for only three months increased levels of circulating immune cells known as CD4 T and cytotoxic T-lymphocytes (Source: Fortes C, Forastiere F, Agabiti N, et al. The effect of zinc and vitamin A supplementation on immune response in an older population. Journal of the American Geriatric Society. 1998). Make sure you take 25 mg. of zinc every day year-round, as it is also very important to your bone health. Chelated zinc is the best and most absorb-able form.

Vivian Recommends:
CHELATED CALCIUM MAGNESIUM ZINC-1000-100-Easy to Swallow Coated Caplets

9. Vitamin E

This potent antioxidant is made up of four tocopherols (alpha-, beta-, gamma-, and delta-) and four tocotrienols (alpha-, beta-, gamma-, and delta-). However, alpha-tocopherol is the most commonly form of vitamin E found in the blood and tissues. In fact, even though the main function of Vitamin E is that of an antioxidant, alpha-tocopherol in particular appears to have a beneficial effect on the molecules and enzymes in immune cells. Scientific studies show that as little as 200 IU of alpha-tocopherol can significantly increase immunity against a variety of respiratory infections (Source: Meydani SN, Leka LS, Fine BC, et al. Vitamin E and respiratory tract infections in elderly nursing home residents: a randomized controlled trial. Journal of the American Medical Association. 2004). Since the flu typically attacks the respiratory tract, it is wise to take at least 200 IU of Vitamin E, and make sure that your supplement has alpha-tocopherol in it, should you decide to take a mixed tocopherol formula, which is also fine.

Vivian Recommends:
100% NATURAL E-200 I.U.-200 i.u.-100-Softgels

10. Rest

It’s especially important during the cold and flu season to keep from getting run down. Try to get at least 6 hours of quality sleep a night. Here’s one hint: if you are physically active during the day, you’ll be tired at bedtime. So avoid long hours of inactivity and keep moving as much as possible.

Do you have any flu shot stories you’d like to share? Join the conversation and share them with the community below.

If you’ve been diagnosed with Osteopenia, chances are your doctor prescribed Actonel, Boniva, or Fosamax. Surprisingly, these are the ...]]> “Marketing a disease is the best way to market a drug,” notes the well-known breast cancer expert, Dr. Susan Love. When it comes to Osteopenia and Osteoporosis, this statement rings especially true.

If you’ve been diagnosed with Osteopenia, chances are your doctor prescribed Actonel, Boniva, or Fosamax. Surprisingly, these are the exact same drugs used to “cure” Osteoporosis. You might rightly ask how come there is no distinction with the medicine and dosage prescribed for Osteopenia and for Osteoporosis. So let’s explore this “modern medicine” mystery together to finally uncover the truth.

It is important to remember that the diagnostic criteria for Osteopenia (along with Osteoporosis) was imposed in the early 90’s by the World Health Organization and quickly adopted by doctors. Using the T-Score as the ultimate ‘guiding light’, anybody with a standard deviation of -1 up to -2.50 is deemed to have Osteopenia and is hastily prescribed a drug.

Here’s how The Merck Manual, (the best-selling medical encyclopedia) defines Osteopenia: “In millions of women and men over 50, bone density (mass) is low but not low enough to be considered Osteoporosis. These people have Osteopenia (which means deficient bone). They are at risk of developing Osteoporosis as they grow older.” (The Merck Manual of Health and Aging, Section 3, Chapter 22).

By the way, Merck & Co. is the maker of the number one best-selling bone treatment drug Fosamax. Very conveniently (for Merck and other bone drug makers), patients “diagnosed” with Osteopenia are given the same treatment as those who have the full-fledged Osteoporosis verdict. This translates into billions of dollars in sales…and yet, there are no signs of an actual “disease”; only a potential for this condition to develop into Osteoporosis.

I am surprised that well-meaning health practitioners apply this concept because it simply makes no sense. Luckily, a few prominent doctors are aware of this and are trying to spread the truth.

For example, bone health expert Steve Cummings, MD, a professor at the San Francisco School of Medicine (University of California), says that there was neither real medical basis for developing a unique term such as “Osteopenia” nor to choosing the arbitrary T-score number for its diagnosis. He comments that “Osteopenia is not a disease, does not indicate a high risk of fracture in the next five to ten years, and is really almost a variant of normal. What I tell women in their 50s is that having Osteopenia means their bones are different than those of a 25-year-old and I note that there are probably many things about them that differ from when they were 25”.  This is truly a breath of fresh air and gives me hope for the future!

I’d like to go one step further and present you with an analogy. For example, a slightly overweight person has a greater chance of developing diabetes than if he or she is at the ideal weight. So there is a newly defined condition you might have heard of called pre-diabetes, which is determined by a couple of blood glucose tests.

But here’s the difference between Osteopenia and pre-diabetes: there is no prescription drug treatment for a pre-diabetic. Instead, the American Diabetes Association writes as follows (http://www.diabetes.org/pre-diabetes/faq.jsp):

“Treatment consists of losing a modest amount of weight (5-10 percent of total body weight) through diet and moderate exercise, such as walking, 30 minutes a day, 5 days a week. Don’t worry if you can’t get to your ideal body weight. A loss of just 10 to 15 pounds can make a huge difference.”

You see, mainstream medicine could not come up with a newly invented disease in this case (such as diabetenia) because it would be life-threatening to excessively lower a patient’s blood sugar with diabetes drugs. Otherwise – trust me on this – all pre-diabetics would be prescribed diabetes medicines.

Clearly, doctors should educate their patients on how to PREVENT osteoporosis instead of prescribing potentially toxic osteoporosis drugs. But unfortunately, most doctors have been indoctrinated to think that the best way to solve a health problem is with a “magic pill”, and often don’t bother with natural solutions. Of course there will be the obligatory calcium recommendation (typically by incorrectly suggesting an INCREASE in dairy consumption), but that’s where it all ends…

Don’t get me wrong, doctors mean well and may not be aware that they end up killing an ant with an elephant.  And last but not least, doctors don’t learn about Nutrition and are completely ignorant of this extremely important aspect of natural health maintenance and healing.

Thankfully, there is a natural and drug-free way to have strong and healthy bones. I hope that you will use your knowledge and your freedom to choose wisely… and when in doubt, don’t hesitate to contact me by phone or by sending me an email. I’m here to answer your questions and to listen to your comments.
Here’s to your educated decisions,

Vivian