Is Your Body Producing Too Much Of This Bone Damaging Chemical? - Save Our Bones

I often bring you news about chemicals that can harm your bones and how to avoid them. But what if one of those chemicals is manufactured inside your own body?

The chemical I’m talking about is a stress hormone called cortisol. It’s a natural steroid produced by the adrenal glands in response to stress. And who doesn’t have stress? And as you may know, controlling your cortisol levels is an important factor to reversing and preventing bone loss. For that reason, I’ve written extensively about stress and bone health in the past.

So today we’re going to look at an ancient herb that can help keep cortisol – and stress levels – under control.

How Does Stress Harm Your Bones?

Here is how it works: stress signals the adrenal glands to make cortisol, and it’s the cortisol that does the damage. When this happens now and then, such as in urgent situations that quickly pass, your brain and body benefit from the cortisol boost. But if the stress is on-going and chronic, cortisol levels stay high, exhausting your system and damaging your body, including your bones. Cortisol is actually acidifying, and if you’re familiar with the Osteoporosis Reversal Program, you know that an acid/alkaline imbalance destroys bone.

It’s been known for quite some time…

…that cortisol decreases bone density. As far back as 1983, a study published in the New England Journal of Medicine concluded that “long-term steroid therapy in asthmatic patients is associated with decreased trabecular bone density and an increased prevalence of rib and vertebral fractures.” 1

Cortisol actually takes potassium out of bone cells, and it also reduces intestinal absorption of calcium.

Getting Your Cortisol Levels Under Control

There are various ways to do this, such as following an acid/alkaline balanced diet as outlined in the Osteoporosis Reversal Program, which also includes 10 ways to reduce stress. You can listen to music, take deep breaths throughout the day, and exercise regularly.

You can also take Ashwagandha, an herb whose extract reduces cortisol levels in the body.

Published studies have focused largely on animals, and have shown a distinct decrease in cortisol levels when an Ashwagandha was administered. But in 2005, an unpublished study by NutrGenesis involved human subjects.2 These lucky participants not only had their cortisol levels reduced by up to 26% after taking an Ashwagandha extract, called Sensoril®, but they also reported better sleep, less fatigue, and an increased sense of well-being.

Researchers also noticed that Sensoril® doesn’t just reduce cortisol levels – a better way to put it is that Sensoril® regulates cortisol levels, so you don’t have to worry about your levels getting too low, either.

Ashwagandha is a Powerful Plant…

…That is used in Ayruvedic medicine. The root must smell rather unpleasant, as the name “Ashwagandha” derives from the Sanskrit words for “horse” (ashwa) and “smell” (gandha)! But various parts of the plant are used medicinally, including the red berries and yellow flowers. In Ayruvedic medicine, the plant is taken as a decoction, made by boiling 1 tablespoon of the root in a cup of water. You can also take Ashwagandha as a tincture.

Ashwagandha can also be taken in pill form. In fact Ashwagandha extract, Sensoril®, is included in TrueOsteo, the organic calcium supplement I strongly recommend.

One of the things that impressed me most about TrueOsteo is its unique blend of ingredients, and that it's the only calcium supplement I know of that includes Ashwagandha.

This is why I arranged for a special 20% off coupon just for the Save Our Bones community.

If you’d like to take advantage of this special discount, click here and enter the coupon code SAVEOURBONES when you check out.

And if you have questions about calcium and are confused about which kind to take, make sure to read my in-depth article titled “Confused About Calcium? Read This”.

Reducing stress and strengthening your bones – sounds like a win-win!

Exclusive 20% OFF TrueOsteo Coupon Code for Save Our Bones Readers!

Use coupon code: SAVEOURBONES at checkout to get 20% off your order!

Read more about TrueOsteo™ here →

Please note that TrueOsteo only ships to the U.S., Canada, UK, Ireland, Australia and New Zealand. So if you live elsewhere, I apologize for the inconvenience.

References

1 Adinoff, Allen D., M.D. and Hollister, Roger J., M.D. “Steroid-Induced Fractures and Bone Loss in Patients with Asthma.” New England Journal of Medicine. August 4, 1983. 309:265-268. Web. https://www.nejm.org/doi/pdf/10.1056/NEJM198308043090502
2 Unpublished study, 2005. NutrGenesis, LLC.

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Comments on this article are closed.

  1. Meryl gibbons

    I finalllyvreceived my order of 3 bottles of TrueOsteo today and when I read the label I noticed it said it contains ingredients extracted from soy and I don’t eat soy. I called Nature City and they weren’t sure if it actually contains soy or not but the gentleman said based on what the label said he wouldn’t take it if he were me. I asked him to research whether or not TrueOsteo actually contains soy and get back to me. Thus, I was wondering if you know whether or not TrueOsteo contains soy, especially considering the lack of knowledge on the part of Nature City. I would very much appreciate any advice you have in this regard.

    Thanks so much!

    Meryl

  2. Cathie jones

    Dear Vivian
    I have ordered your program and I’m trying to follow it but it’s
    hard because I get up at 3am for work and work 10-12 hours,
    so that leaves little time for exsercise and preparing meals.
    I’m 53 and went through the change at 46 I was on actonel
    for a year the year before last. I am at the border between
    osteopenia and osteoporosis and I bought 6 bottles of
    TrueOsteo and I saw there didn’t seem to be that much
    calcium in it. Do I need more vitamins or is that all I need is the
    TrueOsteo

    • Bob Pritchard

      You gain plenty of Calcium from dark green leafy vegetables and some nuts .our bodies don’t utilize Calcium properly. when it is leeched from the bones to nullify the acid in our blood , the excess is then often put into muscles and other parts of our bodies as a Calcium crystal. Like the cholesterol plaque has calcium crystals in it. can be picked up on plain ex ray . best diagnosis of arterial plaque. . an old friend of mine had a bleeding problem . was 86 .. doctors discovered a big calcium crystal behind the spleen cutting into the spleen causing the bleeding. So hard to find. “SAVEOURBONES” gives the correct diet to balance the Acid /alkaline so no inflammation in the blood and these problems do not occur.

      • Indra

        Cholesterol is very dangerous buescae thi is the main cause of heart disease and blood pressure. Lowering cholesterol naturally can avoid you from various of dangerous disease.Julidarma would love you to read..

  3. Joan Alderdice

    Hi Vivian,
    Three years ago my Dexa scan revealed a T score of -2.1 for hips and -3.7 for spine. I came off Actonel after 1 year, having discovered your site, and buying your programme. I changed my diet to eating lots more fruit and vegetables and almost no processed food, no milk and very little cheese. However my weight reduced 9 or 10 pounds and I was too thin, so I relaxed a little, and was not eating the 80% alkaline but probably 70%. I also changed to taking Algae cal for calcium supplement, about one year ago. Today I was very disappointed to learn that my dexa scan shows a decline in bone density to -2.5 hips and -4.0 spine. The Radiologist says I am heading for compression fractures. Please can you help? I do enjoy all your e mails but am anxious about this. Thanking you again. Joan

    • Customer Support

      Joan, please feel free to contact Customer Support by clicking the smiley face icon above. We will be glad to communicate with you about your concerns. 🙂

  4. Rafael

    What’s the problem with strontium? I heard that it makes new bones specially in the senior years? It’s supposed to be taken away from calcium on an empty stomach.
    Another subject that surprised me!
    I was at a clinic where I saw people still getting Boniva intravenously. I thought they weren’t using that drug anymore?

    • Vivian Goldschmidt, MA

      That must have been disturbing to see people getting intravenous Boniva…

      As for strontium, small amounts of naturally-occurring strontium found in most algae-based calcium supplements are not a problem. For more info about this, please read my blog post about strontium: https://saveourbones.com/strontium-demistyfied/

      I hope that helps explain things!

  5. nicky

    I am estrogen positive cancer survivor and I was wondering if I cantake TrueOsteo as it looks like it has soy in it. Thanks for all the information.

  6. Nu Ly

    Dear Vivian,

    As you recommend, I order 6 bottles of TRUEOSTEO today, shipping cost $45
    to Australia. Thank you for the information.

  7. Marjorie Ott

    Ihave Arthious my legs sting an burn an cramps in the legs What is good for this. I am 80 yr young an look 50 Thanks An Have A Merry Christmas an aHappy New Year

  8. Leslie (Ms. L.)

    Hi! Vivian,

    Can You Get TRUEOSTEO Without Cilantro, Because I’m Highly Allergic To Cilantro? Please Let Me Know As Soon As You Can! And I Thank You VERY MUCH For ALL YOU DO!

    Take Good Care Of Yourself, Stay Well, And Give Your Family My Best! And MAY G-D BLESS YOU ALL!

    LOVE, LESLIE (MS. L.)

    • Vivian Goldschmidt, MA

      Leslie, you might check with NatureCity and see if there is a cilantro-free version available. 🙂

  9. Rosemary

    Watching Dr. Oz, and he has celery as a bone food. Foods that are shaped a certain way help a part of the body that they look like. A walnut case looks like a brain, thus it’s brain food. That would mean, bok choy, carrots and other stick looking veggies like asparagus would be beneficial also. Interesting concept.

  10. Patrecia

    Vivian, I wrote to you about the applecider vinegar being acidic. It is very acidic before going into the body and in my urine too The day that I tested for the applecider vinegar. I had brocoli, potatoes with skin, and three ounces of chicken breast. I believe that it should be reviewed by some one. I want so much to be able to have vingar on vegetables, but I won’t til it is proven whether or not it is acidic.

    • Patrecia

      I wasn’t stressed either

  11. gabriel

    I agree that TrueOsteo sounds like a great formulation. However, I am not willing to buy any OTC medicine/herb/pill/tincture that does not disclose the amounts of each componenet. The advertisement just smacks un-scientific even if it is the best miracle medicine on the face of the earth.
    Can someone disclose the true composition of the supplement?
    What form does it come ? vegi-capsules? pills with useless binders? SOme of us ar actually sensitive to some or most bindiers in supplement pills.
    NaiveNoMore

    • Vivian Goldschmidt, MA

      I understand your concerns, Gabriel! Have you contacted NatureCity directly and asked them for some more details? You can contact them at this link:
      https://www.naturecity.com/contact-us.php?

    • gabriel

      sorry for the typos

  12. Marion

    Dear Vivian,

    You are on fire keep it up I love it Marion

  13. Terry

    After your suggestion, I purchased TrueOsteo and am on my third bottle. I can only hope that I’m providing the right support for my bones (I’m rather thin and small boned) and will only know for sure when I have my next bone density. It’s been 2 1/2 years. The only problem I have with the product is that it repeats on me. Was wondering if I should continue with the product or try a different calcium supplement. I have tried many different brands for the past 15+ years and trust your opinion. Thanks very much!

    • Bob Pritchard

      I have a weak muscle on the upper entry to my stomach .. So as a baby I would projectile vomit . as a 30 year old recently married and put on a little weight i developed dyspepsia reflux. ?? The Hiatus hernia. the weak muscle. so had to change the way I eat . chew slowly with a bit of liquid and don’t over fill the stomach .also fish oils . cal/mag I found best to take at the beginning of the meal.
      The rest of the food is on top and the fish oil cal/mag leaves the stomach quickly ..No disagreeable tastes in the throat

    • Vivian Goldschmidt, MA

      Hi Terry,
      There’s no need to change to another supplement unless you want to. 🙂 Feel free to share your experience here on the site!

  14. LynnCS

    Hi Vivian. Your post is really informative. I showed my doc some of the supplements I am taking including the algae based calcium and ashwagandha. He said he didn’t want me to waste my money on some of the supplements that he felt didn’t work, so I stopped. Now with your supportive post, I am taking back the Ashwagandha and Holy Basil. Both are indicated in the research I’ve done for stress related Adrenal problems especially for those of us who seems to go to that fight or flight reaction that brings on the cortisol production. I sure would like to overcome this trait, but till I do, I am going to take your advise. I am taking the Raw D3 and liquid K2 by Thorne. I was glad to find a liquid with no alcohol. Lately I have been getting some tightening in my chest and worry about angina, so am glad to get any information to help my bones as well as help with balancing the adrenals/ cortisol production. Thank you ever so much, as usual, I learn so much from you.

    • Bob Pritchard

      I personally found that tightening in the chest could be caused by some spinal mis alignment . muscle spasm in the back. The cardiac nerve leaves the spine . at this point if it is compromised at all it will give you tightness or flutters. skipped beats. “Post mortens showed 70% of fatal heart attacks come from stress.clear arteries.” as this situation may not be enough to notice until you do some quick exercise. Good massage. , hot shower. perhaps a checkup with a Chiropractor /osteopath . Gentle Yoga to stretch the back muscles. Personal experience.

    • Vivian Goldschmidt, MA

      Thanks for sharing part of your health journey with us, Lynn. Kudos for taking charge of your own health!

  15. Susan

    I have heard that the one way to rid the body of cortisol is through the tear ducts when we cry. And cry we must – sometimes.

  16. Micky Winchester

    Hi Vivian. I live in England there for its rather expensive to obtain supplements from the US. However I buy from a company called CYTOPLAN, and I take their Calcuim wholefood supplement with calcified seaweed. I was just wondering if you had heard of them ?

    Thank you for all your continuing advice, and a MERRY CHRISTMAS to you and your family.

    • Margaret

      I live in UK like you and feel true osteo is too expensive. I will continue to search and try to find an alternative
      My email address is
      Margaret.dunmore@tesco.net if any UK resident can help. I feel the stress factor is important
      M

  17. sheila masson

    Vivian,
    is there a Canadian supplier of trueosteo? The $27.00 shipping fee from the U.S. makes it too expensive even with the 20% off.

    • Catherine

      I have the same concern. Can only get a 90 day supply to Canada an shipping is $27.00.
      Were you able to find a Canadian distributor?
      Thanks

  18. Anna

    After reading save our bones I ordered the algaecal plus and am now taking it, now I am reading that u are now recommending the true osteo instead. Please can u let me know which is best as I live in Europe and I got a supply for 6 months. Is algaecal plus not good anymore.

    • Vivian Goldschmidt, MA

      Anna, it’s no problem if you are already taking AlgaeCal Plus – the Osteoporosis Reversal Program recommendations for calcium supplements still hold true (first choice is organic marine calcium, and second choice is amino acid chelated calcium), so you don’t need to switch to TrueOsteo unless you want to, and you don’t have to stop using your current calcium supplement. 🙂

      • Anna

        Thank you Vivian for your quick response, glad to know that it’s ok. Also thank you for all the research and information you send us. Wishing you and your family a Merry Xmas and a Happy New Year.

  19. Charlotte

    I find all this info confusing. looks like TrueOsteo contains strontium and I thought you said not to take strontium with calciuim, doesn’t it inhibit the absorption of the calcium?

    • Susan

      I think Vivian says strontium in small amounts, like is probably in your supplement, is okay, so don’t worry about it. Otherwise she wouldn’t endorse it., but I’ve heard her say that before. Somebody correct me if I’m wrong.

      • Vivian Goldschmidt, MA

        Yes, Susan, that is correct. 🙂 Most of the algae-based calcium supplements do contain a small amount of strontium that is actually part of the algae, but that’s ok. We have a small amount of strontium circulating in our blood (around 350 mg), and the amounts in most algae-based calcium formulas won’t make a difference. What I do not recommend is a separate, additional strontium supplement.
        So no worries on the small amount of strontium in TrueOsteo!

  20. Diane Martinson

    I take Fembody which appears to have all the same ingredients except for the Sensoril, it’s cheaper and you only need 3 tablets, is the Sensoril that important for the extra cost?

    Diane

  21. Wondering

    Algae Cal Plus was not approved by ConsumerLab.com because of lead contamination and labeling infraction (not listing soy). I am wondering if all algae cal is bad or just the product they tested.

    • Vivian Goldschmidt, MA

      Hi Wondering (I love your inquisitive username!). I have researched this issue, and I have come to the conclusion that lead is a naturally occurring chemical element, naturally found in combination with other elements as lead compounds in rocks and soils. The question is how much and where it’s coming from.

      A study conducted in the year 2000 checked 23 OTC and prescribed calcium supplements, and ALL were found with lead (Source: Ross E, et al. Lead content of calcium supplements. JAMA 2000; 284(11): 1425-1429).

      The bottom line is that calcium supplements typically have lead in them.

      I do hope this provides the information you were looking for!

      • Wondering

        Thanks so much for this answer. I have asked similar questions of suppliers of vitamins and no one else has ever answered me.

  22. Jean Whittle

    Vivian, I tried to order the TrueOsteo from these people when you first mentioned it many months ago. The order looked as though it went through on their website, but my credit card wasn’t charged and I never received the order. When I emailed them to enquire about it they didn’t reply! I live in Australia. I finished up by getting the TrueOsteo from another supplier, who supplied it very quickly and efficiently, but of course I didn’t get the discount that I would have got from the supplier you mentioned. Not very satisfactory at all!

    • Vivian Goldschmidt, MA

      Jean, I am sorry you had that experience! It must have been very frustrating, but I am glad you were able to obtain the TrueOsteo in the end! 🙂

  23. Roxanne

    Vivian, thank you for all your wonderful information ! But I have to under go Scoliosis back surgery/fusion and for about one month prior to surger they are putting me on Forteo.. They want to make sure the bones are strong enough for all the hardware ! This scares me. I was taking strontium and trueosteo. Thoughts? I know I will need to do this for the surgeon to do the surgery, but I do not like the thought of it at all! Roxanne

    • Vivian Goldschmidt, MA

      Roxanne, I understand your concerns!
      Remember, your health is in your hands – the decision whether or not to go ahead with the Forteo is yours. I don’t know whether you have the Program or not, but on this website you have access to a wealth of drug-free, bone-strengthening information!

      Just a note – I never recommend taking strontium as a separate supplement because while strontium makes bones denser and thicker, it takes away tensile strength, or flexibility. As you prepare for your upcoming surgery, you might like to read this blog post on strontium:
      https://saveourbones.com/strontium-demistyfied/

      I wish you success with your surgery!

  24. Jaap

    LS
    You told us that milk is bad for bones.Could you tell us with what products/nutritients we can get betterbones. Sincerely

    • Helen

      Hi Vivian and thank you so much for your generosity, I read you all the time.
      After reading the ingredients in True Osteo I haven’t seen the mention of Ashwagandha, could you confirm that it is included in this vitamine.
      Thank’s again,
      Helen

      • Jean Whittle

        Helen, Ashwagandha is shown on the TrueOsteo bottle under the trade mark “Sensoril”!

  25. Geraldine

    I would love to have ordered the natural form of Calcium seen in you advert for TRUEOSTEO, the price was discounted by 20% which made it a very good buy to try at $31.95, HOWEVER, your shipping cost to the UK was more than the price of the product at $41! This I feel is detrimental to people from the UK wishing to try TrueOsteo, even for such a good sounding product! I will carry on taking my normal Calcium tablet’s which also include the Vitamin’s K2 & D3 Magnesium, Zinc, Copper & Selenium, Ginger,Glucosamine & Chondroitin! only thing about this product is, I do not know the type of calcium used as it is not stated on the pack!

    What a shame your shipping price is so high!

    Regard’s

    Gealdine

    • Margaret

      I live in UK like you and feel true osteo is too expensive. I will continue to search and try to find an alternative
      My email address is
      Margaret.dunmore@tesco.net if any UK resident can help. I feel the stress factor is important
      M

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