A:  Thanks so much for taking the time to share your thoughts with me. Milk ...]]> Q:  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.

A:  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.

A: Your question is a very good one indeed. While uncovered skin will absorb the maximum amount of ultraviolet rays, ...]]> Q: 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?

A: 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.

A:  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 ...]]> Q:  It is actually osteoarthritis that I have been diagnosed in the lumbar spine area. What’s the difference between osteoporosis and osteoarthritis?

A:  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 Save Our Bones Program 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.

A: The ideal balance between calcium and magnesium is 2 to 1, but here’s the trick: what counts is not the ...]]> Q:  I came across a web site where they suggest 1 part calcium to 1.2 parts magnesium (250 mg calcuim – 300 mg magnesium) do you agree with this?

A: 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.

A: 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 ...]]> Q:  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.

A: 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.

You do not mention Ipriflavone as an alternative treatment for osteoporosis and I would be interested to know ...]]> Q:  I have bought and read your book and found it to be most helpful. Do you think just by changing diet and taking no supplements I can halt or reverse my osteoporosis?

You do not mention Ipriflavone as an alternative treatment for osteoporosis and I would be interested to know if you have any views on this product. Having been prescribed Alendronic Acid by my GP here in the UK I found the side effects intolerable and read about ipriflavone on the internet. It is unavailable in the UK but is prescribed in several countries worldwide.

A:  Thanks for taking the time to share your story with me. I do believe that by changing your diet to prevent extreme acidification of body tissues and by taking supplements you can slow down and even reverse bone loss. And please remember that the goal is to prevent fractures…so if we remain fit and drug-free, we are less likely to fall down and break a bone.

Ipriflavone is not approved in the US either, and here’s the information about it:

Ipriflavone (tradename “Ostivone”), is a synthetic isoflavone derivative, which has been suggested to be an inhibitor of bone resorption and a stimulator of osteoblast activity in vitro in cell cultures and in vivo in experimental models of osteoporosis. Preliminary studies, mainly performed in Italy and Japan, suggested that ipriflavone (typical dosage 600 mg/day) is able to prevent bone loss, and some data even suggested that ipriflavone may increase bone mass in postmenopausal women. However, reports of lymphocytopenia in women taking ipriflavone generated concerns regarding the safety of this particular compound.

There are several reasons why I would never recommend Ipriflavone:

1) I don’t like anything that affects normal bone resorption
2) the lymphocytopenia side-effect can have serious long-term consequences

I think that the best way to prevent excessive amounts of calcium to leak from our bones is to eat a balanced diet, to maintain proper pH and remain healthy overall.