I’m a strict vegetarian for many years and I have the Save Our Bones Program. You write that vitamin B12 is important for bones, but here’s my problem. I don’t tolerate vitamin B supplements well, so I’d like to know which vegetables or fruits are a good source of B12. Thanks for all you do!

-Karen

Dear Karen,

Indeed, the highest food sources of vitamin B12 are found in animal protein such as liver, beef, and fish – a challenge to vegetarians. Yogurt has good levels of B12, and if you have it plain and sweetened with stevia, honey, or your favorite natural sweetener (besides sugar), it’s alkalizing. An excellent plant source of B12 is wheatgrass juice. In fact, one cup of wheatgrass juice provides you with more than the minimum daily requirement. This according to tests conducted at the Irvine Analytical Laboratories in California.

And wheatgrass also contains lots of other bone-healthy nutrients. Check out more very interesting information on wheatgrass here.

Keep saving your bones!

Question & Answer #2

Since you recommend not drinking tap water which contains fluoride, will only brushing my teeth with a toothpaste containing fluoride prevent cavities?

-Sonia

Dear Sonia,

Several unbiased studies have shown that fluoride is not necessary to prevent cavities, and that it has great potential to harm your bone health. And the skin on the lining of your mouth was shown to absorb the chemicals in toothpaste. I don’t recommend fluoride, whether it’s in water or toothpaste.

For more about bone health and fluoride, read ‘Bone Health Alert: Fluoride’. And you’ll find recommendations for fluoride-free toothpastes here.

Stay cavity free… and fluoride free!

Question & Answer #3

I just started using a Rebounder and I am also taking Tap Dance lessons. I’d like to know if these forms of exercise are good for building bones. Thank you sincerely!

-Celestial

Dear Celestial,

Rebounding is an excellent low-impact weight-bearing exercise that can help develop balance, strength, endurance, and flexibility. Tap dancing is also a wonderful weight bearing exercise, in addition to being lots of fun! With either of these, make sure you check with your doctor to make sure these forms of exercise are okay for you.

I recommend a trampoline with a support bar such as the Sunny Health & Fitness 40″ Foldable Trampoline with Bar.

Enjoy your bouncing and tapping!

Question & Answer #4

Could you please let me know if it is advisable to do the Heel Lift and Jump exercise on a carpeted surface by people having osteopenia problem. And is brisk walking advisable?

-Maria

Dear Maria,

The Heel Lift and Jump can be done almost anywhere. You can do it outdoors on grass (as I demonstrate in the video), or indoors on a hard floor or carpeted surface. If you have any issues with your feet or knees, I advise doing it on a softer surface like carpet or grass (or on an exercise mat). And although you didn’t ask about this, Maria, others have – this exercise can be done either barefoot or in shoes.

And yes, brisk walking (or even walking at a moderate speed) is one of the best and most accessible weight-bearing exercise.

Keep jumping for your health…

Question & Answer #5

Just wanted to ask why you don’t suggest wearing both wrist and ankle weights together? Seems to me that if you were taking a walk, or working around the house, you could benefit twice as much by doing both?

-Jhones

Dear Jhones,

I’m glad you’re enjoying the material!

Good question. The main reason I don’t recommend wearing wrist and ankle weights at the same time is to prevent accidents. Wearing both can be a bit unwieldy and could throw you off balance as you move around. For that same reason, I recommend wearing weights around the house only while doing regular chores, not when you go for a walk or do other types of exercise.

Note: Jhones’ question refers to a recommendation I make in Simplecise, a free report you can get here.

To safe and bone healthy exercise!

Question & Answer #6

When you have osteoporosis in the lower lumbar spine is stair climbing a good way to strengthen the back muscles?

-Louise

Dear Louise,

Stair climbing is an excellent weight bearing exercise for increasing bone density in the hips, as well as in the whole body. Here’s something important to remember when you climb the stairs: keep your abdominal muscles tight to properly support your spine. For a specific exercise to strengthen your back muscles and increase bone density in your spine, check out my Spine Strengthener video.

Continue your “climb” toward bone health!

Question & Answer #7

Vivian, One doctor. prescribed Celebrex for my arthritis, now my other doctor wants me off (too many side effects) and to do Reclast? Your thoughts please. I so enjoy your book.

-Belinda

Dear Belinda,

Your doctor is right to be concerned about the side effects of Celebrex, but I don’t understand why he or she wants you to replace it with Reclast, which comes with its own set of potentially devastating side effects. I’ve written three blog posts about Reclast, so in case you haven’t yet, I urge you to read them:

ALERT: Reclast and Kidney Failure
ALERT: New Life-Threatening Reclast Side Effects
Reclast: The Miracle Oral Bisphosphonate Alternative?

Information is the best way to make decisions…

And remember, the choice is always yours!

Question & Answer #8

Thank you so much for your devotion to your work and for all of us who are concerned about our bones. My question is , what is happening to our bones when we shrink as we get older? Is it natural or can it be prevented and if so how?

-Joyce

You are most welcome, Joy! Thank you for the very kind words.

No, your bones do not have to shrink as you get older. If you follow a bone smart program like Save Our Bones, you can have healthy bones and an active lifestyle throughout your golden years.

However, as we age, we do tend to have issues with posture, which can make it appear as though we’re “shrinking” even when that’s not the case. If you have concerns about posture, I recommend you check out Posture Confidence, a series of great workout DVDs that are specifically designed to align your posture in only 10 to 15 minutes a day.

Stand tall and stay healthy…

Question & Answer #9

My husband and I started on the program about a month ago. We are loving it and my husband has lost the weight he wanted without any effort. However, he still has a craving for ice cream and is eating a fat free frozen yogurt almost every day. The product is “Eating Right” and the ingredients listed in order are non-fat milk, sugar, cultured non-fat milk, corn syrup etc. etc. I feel that the sugar and corn syrup alone are bad enough and wonder if I can find something else in a frozen dessert that would satisfy him.

-Jackie

Dear Jackie,

I’m so glad you and your husband are enjoying the program, and please give your husband my congratulations on his weight loss! That’s one of the “side effects” of the Save Our Bones Program: easy weight loss for those who need it.

You’re absolutely right to be concerned about the frozen yogurt. “Eating Right” is definitely a misnomer in this case; the large amount of sugar and corn syrup make it an acidifying food. But that doesn’t mean your husband has to give up his treat.

Your best option is to make your own frozen yogurt. Here’s one of my favorite recipes – it’s super quick and easy, and you don’t even need an ice cream machine.

Enjoy the yumminess!

Question & Answer #10

Does yoga work as well as weight training for bone health?

-Ginger

Dear Ginger,

As I write in the Save Our Bones Program, besides being a great stress reducer, yoga increases physical strength and flexibility, both of which are helpful in preventing fractures. Done consistently, yoga can be every bit as effective as weight training. Using your own body weight, yoga places healthy stress on your bones, and that stress triggers Wolff’s Law of Bone Formation, which I discuss in detail in the Save Our Bones Program.

And yoga has many other benefits as well. From the Save Our Bones Program:

This ancient Hindu discipline blends the body, the mind, and the spirit with the goal of achieving a state of perfect tranquility.

Practicing yoga on a regular basis can give a sense of emotional stability and clarity of mind. It consists of exercises and poses as well as calming breathing exercises, and is an excellent way to relieve stress.

Cardiologist Satish Sivasankaran and team published a study conducted at the Yale University School of Medicine on patients with established coronary artery disease (CAD). After taking six weeks of yoga and meditation, study participants who had heart disease had a 69 percent improvement in endothelial function (the expansion and contraction of arteries, veins, and capillaries necessary for blood flow).

If you’re looking for an effective, easy to follow program that is focused solely on building and supporting your bones, take a look at the Densercise System, a four-week program that incorporates weight bearing, resistance, and postural exercises.

The Densercise moves are easy to do, and I’ve designed them so they’ll effectively increase your bone density in only 15 minutes a day, 3 times a week.

Here’s to your bone health!

I have osteoporosis, and my doctor told me that the only way to get cured is to take the drugs. But I don’t want to, I’m really scared of them. I asked if there was a way to build bones without drugs, and he said that I’m stuck with the bones I have unless I follow his advice. I just found your website, so I’d like to know if what he told me is true.

-Eleanor

Dear Eleanor,

Perfect timing to find the Save Our Bones community! To answer your question, doctors seem to think that we’re stuck with what we have… unless we do what they say. But that’s not so, and I have to say that they might forget a basic principle of biology: that our cells are constantly reproducing and thus renewing themselves… if we provide them with the nutrients and with the environment they need. Bones are also made of cells that are alive and that need proper caring so they flourish, and that’s the basis of the Save Our Bones Program.

As a Biologist, I find this topic fascinating, and not only as it relates to bones. Because cells are the building blocks of all our organs in the body. So cell renewal is essential to health and to staying young and vibrant.

In fact, I’ve run into some eye-opening research about a natural substance found in a common food that has shown to help the body create rejuvenated cells, regardless of age. I’m sure you’ll enjoy reading about it here.

Click here for more shocking discoveries about cell rejuvenation.

Stay young and inquisitive!

Question & Answer #2

Can you tell me why these drug companies are continually given air time to advertise bisphosphonates, which as we know thanks to you,Vivian, are so deadly? The Boniva adverts featuring Sally Field spring to mind in particular?

-Fran

Dear Fran,

Pharmaceutical companies have the right to advertise the products they sell, just like any other company. What would the criteria be to ban them from advertising? But here’s what’s important: the responsibility of making the decision whether to use them or not is in our hands, regardless of the ads.

I did pick up on Sally Field’s starring role in the Boniva advertisements, and wrote a blog post about it titled ‘Boniva: What If Sally Field Told the Truth’.

If you haven’t read it yet, check it out. And if you want a good laugh, watch this short video about the Boniva ads that was featured on Saturday Night Live.

Keep asking questions!

Question & Answer #3

My osteoporosis is in an advanced stage, with almost constant pain. I am doing exercises, taking supplements, etc. But I’m not sure what supplements post osteoporosis requires. Most articles, etc. that I read deal with prevention of Osteoporosis. Can you help me?

-Helen

Dear Helen,

I hope you’re feeling better. To answer your question, in the Save Our Bones Program you’ll find tons of information about the Foundation Supplements, which are the bone-healthy supplements that build and strengthen your bones. They are not difficult to find exotic products. In fact, the Foundation Supplements are vitamins, minerals and antioxidants that are easily available just about anywhere.

You can also read about them – and get lots of helpful information on osteoporosis and osteopenia – in the free ‘RESTORE Report’. And if you’d like to bring your bone health to the next level, get the Save Our Bones Program. It’s risk free for one full year, so you have nothing to loose and everything to gain – including your bone density!

Best wishes,

Question & Answer #4

Can I overdose on Magnesium supplements? Thanks for clarifying.

-B. Oliver

Dear Oliver,

Most magnesium overdoses occur when ingesting too much Milk of Magnesia (an over-the-counter laxative and antacid) or Epsom salts. Some of the side effects of magnesium overdose are nausea, diarrhea, a slower heart rate, low blood pressure, and vomiting. An overdose can be more severe if someone has kidney issues.

On the other hand, it is impossible to overdose on magnesium from eating foods that contain it. And – you guessed it – magnesium is listed in the Save Our Bones Program as a Foundation Food.

With all the emphasis on calcium to stave off osteoporosis, magnesium has been all but forgotten by mainstream medicine. You see, every organ in the body requires magnesium for proper function. It also activates enzymes and contributes to energy production.

And because of its important role in bone health, magnesium is also listed In the Save Our Bones Program as a Foundation Supplement, where -among other things – I explain how magnesium acts synergistically with calcium. The recommended ratio between calcium and magnesium is 2:1, and the RDA is 320 mg for women and 420 mg for men.

To your bone health!

Question & Answer #5

I switched to the raw whole foods calcium product. The suggested amount is 750 mg daily. Is that enough? I was taking 1200 in the regular calcium supplements.

-Anne

Dear Anne,

The answer to your question is: it depends on your diet and lifestyle. If you follow the Save Our Bones Program, then 750 mg of calcium is plenty. Why? Because the Program is designed to help you retain most of the calcium where it belongs: in your bones. If you’re not following the Save Our Bones Program and are eating an imbalanced diet and perhaps taking acidifying osteoporosis drugs, then no amount of calcium is enough.

Think about this: almost everyone with an osteoporosis diagnosis is told by their doctor to take lots of calcium. So if calcium would be the answer, why are doctors also prescribing the drugs?

Stay natural!

Question & Answer #6

My husband is a chemical engineer and believes it is not wise to drink distilled water. Do you have any concerns about distilled water?

-Diane

Dear Diane,

I recommend drinking distilled water with a few drops of lemon to detoxify and to balance your pH. In The Missing Link, which is part of the Save Our Bones Program, I write this:

“All water, including distilled water, is made of two hydrogen atoms and one oxygen atom, so it is electrically neutral. However, the negative and positive charges are unevenly distributed. The electronic (negative) charge is concentrated at the oxygen end of the molecule. This ever-so-slight charge imbalance coupled with the highest level of purity found in distilled water helps create an alkaline environment, even though distilled water does test acidic for its pH.

The unencumbered and subtle negative charge in distilled water attracts the positively charged acidic waste products and helps flush them out of the body. Perhaps this is why another common myth about drinking distilled water is that it causes essential minerals to leach out of the body, but nothing could be further from the truth.Thanks to the cleansing action of distilled water, your body will have a more alkaline pH, which is essential to your bone health, as I write in the Save Our Bones Program.”

Here’s to the “chemistry” in your marriage!

Question & Answer #7

What is the role of vitamin K in calcium absorption? I know that it is a blood thinner and one should consult with a physician before taking it, but I also hear that it helps direct calcium to the bones and teeth. If it is so, what type of K should one take and how much?

-Margots

Dear Margot,

This is an excellent question, because just like I wrote in my answer about magnesium, vitamin K is also often forgotten by mainstream medicine. However, please note that Vitamin K is a blood thickener, not a blood thinner. Yet a large number of studies scientific studies confirm Vitamin K’s positive effects on bone-building processes. In fact, this vitamin is listed as one of the Foundation Supplements in the Save Our Bones Program. To get all the details and dosage information, read my comprehensive article titled “Vitamin K: Your Osteoporosis Knight in Shining Armor”.

Enjoy!

Question & Answer #8

I have been told I have osteopenia in the lumber spine -1.8 Also osteoporosis in the femoral hip -2.9 I have no pain or stiffness whatsoever,I am very supple. I am wondering if this is normal?

-Jane

Dear Jane,

Of course it is normal ! If you have the Save Our Bones Program you already know that osteoporosis is not a disease. And that the DEXA scan machines that focus only on bone density are not good (and reliable) bone health indicators. Because contrary to what the medical establishment wants us to believe, bone density is but one of the many components of bone health. Very dense and non-renewed bones may be more prone to fracture than supple and renewed bones.

Warm regards,

Question & Answer #9

In a 24 hour urine test my doctor said I spill too much calcium into my urine and not to bother to take calcium supplements because I’m not absorbing them. Should I not take any calcium supplements?

-Margaret

Dear Margaret,

Your doctor is giving you only half the story… You can – and should – take action to make sure you retain the calcium you take. That’s one of the basics of reversing osteoporosis and therefore, one of the main goals of the Save Our Bones Program. Please read my answer above to Anne about calcium.

And here’s my gift to you (and to your doctor): ‘The Ultimate Calcium Guide’.

To your strong bones!

Question & Answer #10

I have rheumatoid arthritis and take 9.5mg of prednisolone daily. I am following your programme of diet and supplements and find your ongoing tips very interesting and useful but can all of the things I am doing really negate the damage the steroids are doing to my bones.

-Brenda.

Dear Brenda,

Congratulations on your decision to follow the Save Our Bones Program, especially since you’re taking prednisolone on a daily basis! As you surely know, corticosteroids are used to reduce inflammation and to suppress the immune system. Unfortunately, these synthetic steroids deplete the body of key vitamins and minerals such as B6, Vitamins D and K, zinc, and potassium. So pay special attention to those, since they are also Foundation Supplements (except for potassium).

Keep up with the Program and have a healthy and happy 2012,

May your lives be lit with joy, health and happiness always,

My doctor suggested that I alter my exercise routine to strengthen the muscles surrounding my lower spine. What exercise books or DVDs are available that you would recommend, focusing on the lower back muscles?

-Maria

You’re in luck, Maria! I recently launched Densercise, a complete, full-body exercise system that includes weight bearing, resistance, and flexibility moves. In it, I walk you through a full 4 week exercise schedule, with a specific routine for each day. And it only takes 15 minutes a day.

It includes the Densercise Manual, a professionally illustrated ebook, and the Densercise Online Video Collection, where I demonstrate each exercise. For more info about the Densercise System, click here

And one of my favorite exercises for the strengthening the muscles around your spine is ‘The Spine Strengthener’.

Stay healthy and strong!

Question & Answer #2

What do you think about taking fish oil, is 1000mg the right amount to take, does it have anything to do with our bones?

-Karen

Dear Karen,

Yes, omega-3 fish oil is important for your bone health – it’s actually one of the Foundation Supplements in the Save Our Bones Program. Omega-3s increase calcium absorption, help reduce bone loss and maintain mineral density within bones. According to a 1997 study in the journal progress in Lipid Research, Essential Fatty Acids

“…have now been shown to increase calcium absorption from the gut, in part by enhancing the effects of vitamin D, to reduce urinary excretion of calcium, to increase calcium deposition in bone and improve bone strength and to enhance the synthesis of bone collagen.”

Beyond bone health, omega-3s benefit almost every body system, and research supporting the positive role of this essential fatty acid continues to mount. Omega-3s help sustain a healthy immune system and cellular structure that supports the elimination of waste, maintain fluidity of cell membranes, improve the body’s ability to respond to insulin, reduce triglycerides, and increase blood flow. This super essential fatty acid has also been linked to an increased sense of wellbeing and a decrease in moodiness and depression.

Due to their ability to reduce inflammation, omega-3s are especially critical if you’ve taken any of the osteoporosis drugs, especially bisphosphonates, which have an inflammatory effect on your body.

Because it’s difficult to get an adequate supply of omega-3s through diet alone, I do recommend taking a supplement with a total of 1,000 mg of fish oils.

Nothing “fishy” about your question… stay curious!

Question & Answer #3

What about the fact that I’m on a gluten free diet? How does that come into play?

-Susan

Dear Susan,

Because you’re already in the habit of avoiding gluten, you’ll actually have an easier time following the Save Our Bones Program. All of the gluten-containing grains are acidifying, so eliminating them entirely does not create an issue in terms of the Program. Of course if you wouldn’t be gluten intolerant, you could still eat grains in the right proportion to other alkalizing goodies.

Stay on track and worry-free!

Question & Answer #4

I am a 60 years young Asian. I am considering taking Krill Oil. May I have your comments regarding its benefits. I take Armour for my Thyroid condition. Other than that I am healthy.

-Kazuya

Dear Kazuya,

Krill oil is a great source of omega 3 fatty acids (see my response to Karen above for more info about the benefits of omega-3s). It also contains astaxanthin, a powerful carotenoid that may be even more potent than the carotenoids found in carrots, bell peppers, and other vegetables. Astaxanthin helps reduce levels of C-reactive protein, and studies have shown that high levels of this protein are related to lower bone mineral density.

Keep seeking answers…

Question & Answer #5

I have 5 kidney stones and my urologist has recommended that I drink 64 oz. of lemonade (made from lemon juice in a bottle and tap water) every day to keep kidney stones from forming. I trust him a lot. Hope this helps!

-Krista

Dear Krista,

Your urologist gave you a good recommendation – but I’d suggest ditching the tap water, especially if your community fluoridates its water supply.

Tap, spring and mineral water contain inorganic minerals that accumulate in the bloodstream but are not usable by cells. That’s because for minerals to have an effect on biological processes, they have to be transported into the cells. For that reason, in the Save Our Bones Program I recommend drinking distilled water, or water filtered via reverse osmosis as a second choice. Of course, spring or mineral water is still a much better choice than fluoridated tap water, so remember this when you eat out or if you run out of distilled water.

And once you add a few drops (or more) of fresh lemon juice before drinking it, distilled water becomes ever-so-slightly negatively charged. Toxic acidic residue is positively charged, and since opposites attract, distilled water with lemon juice is a powerful detox and alkalizing drink.

To your healthy kidneys!

Question & Answer #6

My osteoporosis is in an advanced stage, with almost constant pain. I am doing exercises, taking supplements, etc. But I’m not sure what supplements post osteoporosis requires. Most articles, etc. that I read deal with prevention of Osteoporosis. Can you help me?

-Helen

Dear Helen,

Of course I can help you, Helen! The Save Our Bones Program is designed specifically for people who have been diagnosed with osteoporosis or osteopenia – it can help you regain your bone health regardless of how advanced your osteoporosis is.

The best way to get started is to read my free Natural Bone Building Handbook. It goes into detail about the problems with osteoporosis drugs and also gives lists of supplements that are essential for bone health.

Once you review it, and should you decide to bring your bone health to the next level, you might want to get the Save Our Bones Program.
To your renewed bone health!

Question & Answer #7

I have 3 comp fractures in back was on Boniva for 7 months went to Cleveland Clinic they put me on Forteo. I have been injecting Forteo for 5 months. I have pain in my left arm between the shoulder and the elbow, and started getting pain in the left leg down to knee. I hate taking the drug, but they say I don’t have much choice!! Your opinion, please.

-Alice

Dear Alice,

First, I’m so sorry to hear that you’re experiencing side effects from this drug. And I’m sure you’ll be pleased to know that there’s a choice. In many cases, doctors equate drugs with treatment because they simply weren’t trained about other options, and that’s unfortunate.

As I say in ‘Why the Save Our Bones Program is Not a Natural Treatment’,

“As well-meaning as these doctors may be, they are trained to ignore the potentially devastating effects of osteoporosis drugs and to disproportionately focus on mere statistics. As if that weren’t bad enough, the drugs are not even effective at improving bone quality.”

Drugs, whether prescribed or over the counter, may help temporarily (or more likely, may just appear to be helping), but there’s always a price to pay, and much to your detriment, you’re paying that price right now. But you don’t have to continue with the same treatment.

If you haven’t already, please download my free Natural Bone Building Handbook. And for more info about Forteo, please read ‘The Forteo Mystery: What You Should Know About This Puzzling Drug’.

Remember, the choice is always yours!

Question & Answer #8

Why are blueberries and walnuts in the bad group, and raspberries and almonds in the good group? For breakfast, I eat raw oats, blueberries, walnuts, plain nonfat yogurt, sunflower kernels,& sometimes craisins. How do I know what amount of each of these to put in together? Is there a sample menu of breakfast, lunch, & dinner and amounts to put together? I thought you said to use 80/20, but I don’t know what 80 is and what’s 20? It would make it a lot easier if there was some kind of menu to follow. Thanks for the help! Pegge

Dear Pegge,

First, it’s not about “good” or “bad” groups. The idea is to balance alkalizing and acidifying foods, aiming for approximately 80% alkalizing and 20% acidifying. Acidifying foods aren’t bad or off-limits; in fact I’ve written blog posts about the beneficial effects of both blueberries and walnuts – see this article and this one.

Many acidifying foods contain important nutrients and are listed as Foundation Foods in the Save Our Bones Program. The key is to balance acidifying and alkalizing foods.

And I know that the classification of foods as acidifying or alkalizing can seem arbitrary. It might help to explain how the determination is made. Foods are classified as acid or alkaline based on the minerals they leave behind after digestion, not based on their taste or how they “seem.” The pH level of individual foods is determined by burning them and testing the ashes for a pH reading.

I purposely designed the Save Our Bones Program to be easy to follow – you don’t have to worry about measurements. As I recommend in the Program manual, one of the easiest ways to balance your meals is to simply eyeball the ingredients in your meal. If you’re eating a slice of acidifying bread, for example, you want to add alkaline foods that take up about four times as much space as that slice of bread. It’s not exact, but the great think is that it doesn’t have to be.

And for some meal ideas and tasty pH-balanced recipes, check out the Recipe Sampler inside your Program manual.

Enjoy your pH-balanced breakfast!

Question & Answer #9

I just finished two articles regarding high doses of calcium could cause strokes in about 30% of the women taking them. (one from the British Journal of Medicine) What is going on??

-Mary

Dear Mary,

I talked about this issue in ‘Calcium and Heart Attack Alert: My Take’.

The bottom line is that it’s more about the type of calcium you take – if you are using an organic calcium product, you’re fine. To find out more about calcium, read my free Ultimate Guide to Calcium. .You can get it here.

Keep building your bones… safely!

Question & Answer #10

Is there a way to drink coffee and make it more ph balanced? I only drink 2 cups per day and really don’t want to give it up.

-Nickie

Dear Nickie,

Although coffee is acidifying, nothing is off limits on the Save Our Bones Program – moderation and balance are the keys. In ‘Drink This, Not That for Better Bone Health’, I tell you how you can enjoy a daily cup of coffee without negatively affecting your bone health.

Coffee, especially organic coffee, is rich in antioxidants, and if you replace the milk in it (with organic almond, coconut or soy milk), it’s even better. And have some alkalizing snacks before or after to enhance your alkalizing reserves.

To your morning “cuppa”!

However, scientists are still puzzled by what causes several – if not most – ‘diseases’. How can that be? Are they not able to connect the dots of what most likely is a much simpler task in comparison to the technological breakthroughs we’ve been witnessing?

If you have the Save Our Bones Program, you know that I clearly explain what causes osteoporosis, and point out to the baffling fact that mainstream medicine describes the symptoms but not the cause. In fact, in Chapter 1 I analyze Merck’s definition of osteoporosis, which basically states that osteoporosis is a disease of bone deterioration with an increase in bone fragility and susceptibility to fracture.¹

Here’s one more example from The Mayo Clinic:

“Scientists don’t yet know exactly why osteoporosis occurs, but they do know that the normal bone remodeling process is disrupted.”²

My detective work on this incandescent topic led me to conclude that there’s a lot more than just science involved in this mystery… that there’s something deeply embedded in the scientific philosophy since the turn of the 20th century – an almost forgotten flaw in the medical establishment’s mantra that is perpetuated as if operating on auto-pilot.

And I call it …

The Spook Factor

What better time than Halloween to reveal this to you. But first, I’ll let you in on an experience I had when I was around 10 years old. It will make it easier to explain my point.

While on summer vacation, I was swimming in the ocean with my family, when I suddenly felt a terrible stinging pain on my thigh. I still remember the shock of not knowing what had happened. Filled with panic, I screamed at the top of my lungs and started to cry.

My father carried me straight to the small emergency office on the crowded boardwalk by the beach.The nurse examined my leg and said: ‘You’ve been stung by a Man o’ War. Next time this happens, simply dive to the bottom and apply some wet sand on the area.’

Once I knew what had caused this terrible pain, I was able to compose myself and in a couple of minutes, all my anxiety had dissipated. Yes, my leg was still itching like crazy, but I knew what had caused the sting.

More importantly, I also knew that I was in control of deciding my next step. If I didn’t want for this to happen again, I could check before going to swim if there were unusual Man o’ War swarms, and I could decide what to do about it. But If I didn’t know the cause of the pain, I would always be petrified of swimming in the ocean.

Enslaved by Mystery

Now let’s envision a scenario where the nurse would not have told me what had caused the pain. Imagine she advised that if I take one prescribed pill every day I would not suffer from this mysterious affliction again. I might have been easily convinced to take the daily pill. After all, it’s very hot at the beach without swimming, and especially as a young kid, summer vacations are boring without enjoying the ocean. And since I certainly didn’t want to experience the sudden pain again, chances are that taking the pill every day seemed like a really easy solution.

And what if the nurse would have told me that I had a small chance of experiencing some side effects from the pill? Well, taking a chance with that may sound one heck of a lot ‘safer’ than experiencing the pain again, which the nurse could have told me had a very high chance of recurring, perhaps even affecting my future health in the long run.

I’m quite sure that by now you know where I’m going with this. By keeping the cause of ‘diseases’ as a mystery, most people will be petrified to pass up the prescription drugs – even with their potential side effects.

Indeed, surprise and fear most often lead to blind obedience of an ‘authority’ who ‘knows’ what to do.

Mainstream Medicine Blatantly Ignores Cause and Effect

Don’t get me wrong; I’m not saying that this is done on purpose. Yet still – and much to our detriment – it just seems to be so. Not only does fear of the unknown lead to a resigned acceptance of the affliction, it also opens the door to accept treating only the symptoms rather than the root cause. Hence the astronomical number of ‘chronic’ conditions that are treated by only masking the symptoms.

And this not only applies to osteoporosis. To give you one example, arthritis is also a big ‘mystery’.

The Merck Manual describes arthritis as,

“A chronic disorder associated with damage to the cartilage and surrounding tissues and characterized by pain, stiffness, and loss of function…. Osteoarthritis is classified as primary (or idiopathic) when the cause is not known (as in the large majority of cases).”³

It then goes on to describe in great detail the steps that cause joint damage and eventual joint malfunction, the symptoms, and the diagnosis. I’m sure you guessed by now: it never explains – or even give a theory – of what causes osteoarthritis.

The Arthritis Foundation openly discloses that,

“The cause of arthritis is not yet known, but certain factors increase the risk of developing arthritis.”⁴

The same can be said about Merck’s Manual presentation on atherosclerosis.⁵

In other words, when it comes to what causes a ‘disease’, the Spook Factor is all around us!

Don’t Be Afraid… Be Informed…

If you haven’t yet, I urge you to download the free Natural Bone-Building Handbook. In it you’ll find the true cause of osteoporosis and the basic steps you can take to reverse it – or to avoid it altogether. For more great tips, listen to my breakthrough RESTORE video, and to bring your bone health to the next level, get the Save Our Bones Program.

So on this Halloween, don’t get spooked by osteoporosis. Instead, have fun when the trick-or-treaters knock on your door and enjoy life worry-free.

Have a ‘spooktacular’ Halloween!

References

¹ http://merckmedicus.com, June 2001.
² http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/osteoporosis/DS00128/DSECTION=causes
³ http://www.merckmanuals.com/home/bone_joint_and_muscle_disorders/joint_disorders/osteoarthritis_oa.html
⁴ http://www.arthritis.org/osteoarthritis-educate.php
⁵ http://www.merckmanuals.com/professional/cardiovascular_disorders/arteriosclerosis/atherosclerosis.html