I’m always working to listen to the needs of our community and to make your battle with osteoporosis as easy as possible. So I’m happy to announce that this week is the second “Ask Vivian Week”.
Here’s What ‘Ask Vivian Week’ is All About
Simply post your question by leaving a comment below before Thursday, June 21st. Please only post one question.
The questions I receive during ‘Ask Vivian Week’ will be answered throughout the year as part of our hugely popular ‘Vivian Answers Day’ series.
On June 28th, I will select five questions and will post my in-depth answers to them right here on the blog. Then throughout the year, I will continue answering five questions on a regular basis.
This is your chance to ask me your most pressing bone health related question.
It can be ANYTHING you’ve always wanted to know. Your question can range from a general bone health concern to a question relating to your specific situation, or even a question you may have regarding the Osteoporosis Reversal Program.
Don’t hold anything back…
I’m here to listen and to answer. Ask your question now.
I’m thrilled that so many of you enjoy and benefit from the past editions of ‘Vivian Answers Day’, and am excited to continue answering a brand new crop of your questions.
My warmest regards,
Does anyone out there wish the exercise program by Vivian could be on DVD? I sure do because I do not have a computer at home and that is why I have never purchased the program.
Hi Vivian,
It seems as though many in the Save Our Bones Community have the same question about the new calcium and vitamin D study as well as which calcium supplements are the best to choose from.I hope you will comment on these issues. We value your opinion and knowledge.
Thank you for your commitment to our health.
Phyllis
I have Hashimoto’s Disease/Hypothyroid plus osteoporosis. I have been taking Algae-Cal for over a year now and I am scheduled for my Dexa Scan in November. I am praying for good results! Some say synthyroid affects your bones, but I have been reading articles from a thyroid advocate and she says it has not been proven that it does. She recommends Armour Thyroid if your dr. will prescribe. My question is it is hard for me to do exercise and I was wondering if you could put your new exercise program on DVD instead of having to watch from the computer. I do not have a computer at home, but would love to have this program! Please try to put on DVD for those of us who do not have computers.
What is considered a dangerous number on a bone density test and what range would just be acceptable?
Thank you
I understand that:
1.BMD = Bone Mineral Density
2.T and Z scores indicate the number of standard
deviations of the patient BMD, From the young adult and age-matched values, respectively.
3. T and Z score of: -2.5 and below is considered
Osteoporotic.
4. T score of: -1.0 to -2.5 is considered Osteopenic.
5. Each standard deviation (T) of bone loss results in a
Three-fold increase of fracture risk.
I’m 74, weigh 98 pounds have t-scores of -3.9 in hip and -3.1 in spine; I have never had a fracture (other than stress fractures years ago in feet) and my endocrinologist wants me to take reclast; she says I can take a lower than normal dose. I exercise, am quite active and eat a good diet along with Vit. D 1000mg a day and 500mg of Tums on an irregular basis. Why shouldn’t I take my doctor’s advice?
Am dealing with pain from diagnosed Fibromyalgia & carpal tunnel in hands (am social justice activist & use computer quite a bit)
I swim, do water aerobics – 3 times a wk, taichi once, & yoga most days with some light weight lifting.
Thank you for your commitment Vivian,
Marlena
Do you have any special tips or suggestions for Osteoporatics with diabetes? I have coronery desease as well. Thanks
I have been following your advice for some time now. I just read an article that said taking calcium supplements does not prevent bone fractures. What is your opinion on supplements versus food sources of calcium? I take calcium citrate and D3 daily along with food sources.
Thanks for your articles and for sharing your wisdom!
For bone health, which is better: red wine or Reisling?
My question is the controversary about taking Vitamin D and calcuim now–just lately in the news, it’s not healthy for you–should I continue to take AlgaeCal plus extra D3 or what? I’m confused–Thank you!
Dear Vivian, my daughter has sent me some Silica (diatomaceous Earth) she says I should take 1 tablespoon a day, She says it has many health benifits, including the regulation of PH levels, increases body alkalinity and is good for my bones. I am a little leery about trying it, so I hope you can give me some advice. Thank you for all your devotion to saving our bones. Valerie
Your information in your e-mails are wonderful. also the book you put out
but it is necessary for each person to get tested are. their bones and body
It is not done. usually expensive and the medical establishment does not do that. there are doctors who do that, as I said very expensive
I am a president of a advisory board in a senior center in new york city, also have access to organizations that deal with seniors both in the state and the city. Many seniors do no cook any more, and eat at the center.
I am one of them. I had a gallbladder out a few years ago, and I know it affects the bones. each person needs special attention to their bodies and also health care. As you know it is very expensive to have your body tested, DNA. yes you can read about what to do but if not have availability to cooking facility, or cannot afford supplements, etc , It makes it hard
Have you any thought on this. could there be a way your information could be filtered through the organizations. or some teaching method of your work
I would like to hear your comments on my comments
Thank you
me**********@***il.com
Last night on NBC news, Dr. Nancy Smitterman (sp) announced that new research has learned that taking calcium plus Vit E doesn’t help bones not to break and can do harm to heart and kidneys. On the advice of my Dr. I have been taking calcium for years. I am going to my Dr. tomorrow. I don’t understand why they don’t know the latest research or believe it. Thanks and blessings, Betsy from Winston Salem NC
Vivian,
I have embraced your program. Latest height check showed increase of almost 1/2 inch. Bone density hasn’t changed yet but have only been on program for 6 plus months. Can you give me a range of how long does it takes to change bone density scores?? (Dr wants to push the drugs and I am resisting)
Also – there is a local brand of cottage cheese that uses cultures from yogurt in it’s recipe. Would that influence the acid-alkaline status, ie. make it alkaline instead of an acid food? It tastes better than ordinary
cottage cheese and is a great protein source.
Thanks for your dedication to this important topic. It is very much needed, since no one wants to fund research that will mean less drug sales.
Hi Vivian, I appreciate your vast knowledge and research into current topics regarding bone health. Yesterday the media had a story which cautioned older women about taking calcium and Vitamin D supplements. It seems that every week a story debunks the previous week’s story. I am beginning to doubt any of these studies and wonder if any of them really care about what is right for any of us.
is it good to drink organic milk to get calcium?
Hello Vivian,
Is there a way to tell if a product that contains a mix of acidic and alkaline ingredients is either acidic or alkaline? Recently I’ve found Newmans diet lemonade which has both stevia and sugar and also coconut milk frozen non dairy bars, plus something homemade, for instance I make a split pea soup where everythng is alkaline except the chicken broth. So how can we tell if these mixed foods are acidic or alkaline?
Thanks for all your help,
Diane
I heard this morning that Drs are now saying that calcium supplements are not effective. I had bone scan two years ago and was diagnosed with osteopenia. I read your book and adopted some diet changes (including a plant based calcium supplement) one year later my bone scan came back “normal”. My question is, are my improved scans due to diet and supplements or diet alone?
Thanks Doc
Hi Vivian
Love your book. I’m trying to locate the resource for a product called “Ultra Green” and thought I had read an article from your site. Are you familiar with that?
Lynn
A recent news item indicated that calcium supplements taken by healthy woman increases the risk of heart attack. What about those of us who have been diagnosed with osteopenia/osteoporosis who take calcium supplements to help build bone mass? I take red algae calcium but, I must admit, I’ve stopped taking it because of this latest scare. Should I simply increase my intake of calcium-rich foods and forgo supplements entirely?
Thanks for your attention,
Connie
A very quick question.I have replaced my mug of hot milk and honey at bed time with almond milk and honey.I heat it , but not to very hot.Is heating almond milk OK? Thanks for your programme – my doctor wants to borrow the SOB book.
Hi,My vit d levels have gone below 3(normal levels are aboce 30),my spine is also degenerating,can you suggest any changes that I can make to increase my vit d levels?
Is it possible that only taking one fosamax, which made me feel very unwell within one hour, could affect me for months…today I am going for a heart check after I was admitted with chest pains – feeling bloated and dizzy. I was in great shape till I took that pill.
A question. To what extent an osteoporotic bone may gain density. Can a score of -3.0 become a score of -1.0 ? That is in a condition where osteoporosis is not related to a single condition such as taking cortisone or having a downright hormome imbalance. Being a male of 56 otherwise healthy, I suffered an osteoporotic fracture. My hormone levels are good. Have you seen a person going from -3.0 to -1.0 ?
I really appreciate your program and book, but when are you going to put your excercises in print? Thanks.
What do you think about Strontium as a supplement to help build bone?
I am considering beginning Horizontal Therapy treatment for osteoporosis with a local chiropractor. It is a physical, non-drug treatment using mild electrical stimulation. It is rather expensive and not covered by insurance. Do you have any information on this treatment?
I WOULD LIKE ADVICE ON A PROGRAMME OF WEIGHTBEARING AND AEROBIC EXERCISE SUITABLE FOR MYSELF.I have osteopenia and am anxious not to let it deteriorate further,but have been housebound and bedbound for many years.I have CFS so can do very few repetitions.I also have damaage to my balance system from Meningitis,so cant stand up without crutches.Can you advise on exercises which could be done from lying or sitting.Would vibration tables be helpful?
Could you please provide me with an article showing actual test results regarding those who have been on fosomax for a long time (over 10 years) and what happens when they take a “holiday”. Is it the same as those on a placebo, does it get worse, or does it improve? Thank you.
Yes, I asked once before, some time ago but was not given an answer.
Helen.
Dear Vivian,
What do you suggest to prevent loss of calcium in urine?
I would be grateful for any hint or suggestion to combat this problem.
Best regards,
Helen.
Vivian,I am 56 and was told I have osteopenia.Thank you for being there. I am so glad there are advocates out there for a natural approach to improving bone density and strength.
I am really sticking to the acid /alkaline regime other than
2 cocktails at the end of the day
Are some alcohols worse than others for your bones?
I have acid reflux and have to take tums or rolades on a regular daily basis. Is this effecting my bones and is there a better way to get rid of this problem? Thanks for your help.
Your Save Our Bones program has helped me immensely~thank you~
Tell me more about olive oil~ is it okay to cook with olive oil? I’ve read somewhere that cooking changes the composition and destroys the health benefits~ please clarify if we should not cook with olive oil~
Hi Vivian, when reading nutrition labels and it says the percentag of your daily allowance, how do you find out what lets say 5 percent is in milligrams or IU’s? Also is 5 percent a good amount of calcium in a product or should we be aiming higher? How high? Hoping you have a quick method for figuring this out while we are shopping. Thank you Sandra
My latest bone scan showed a 4.3% improvement. I have never had an improvement before and the radiologist called it significant. I was very pleased. However over the years, I have lost height from 5’6″ to 5’4″. I have been trying to stand taller, and I do your exercises too, and have started taebo classes as well, very slowly. My question is this: Did osteopena cause my loss of height, or is it normal aging where we just shrink a bit in between each vertebrae until we become noticeably shorter?. Will this continue now that I am improving my bone health? I am 65, and went thru menopause at 46.
I read your article on milk and I agree with you but if milk is not good for our bones then why eat yogurt?
I am not an expert, but I believe it has something to do with the fermentation, and milk is acid, while the fermentation in yogurt makes it alkaline.
Hi Vivien,
A study was apparently conducted that indicated that people who take 500 ml or more of calcium supplements daily are more likely to have a heart attack. (Of course, they don’t make any distinction between different kinds of calcium supplements.) They claim that consuming dairy products is a safer way to take calcium (apparently unaware that calcium absorption from dairy products is very inefficient to say nothing of the fact that as you have pointed out dairy products are acidifying and therefore contribute to bone loss.) Would you please comment on this study?
Thanks.
Catherine
Can taking HRT help slow the loss of bone after Menopause?
Hi Vivian, I am into my second year of following your Save Our Bones program as much as possible and feeling so much better. I would like to start taking Algaecal tablets instead of the inorganic tablets I currently take. However, struggling to find a UK supplier, could you please advise? Many thanks, Margaret from Chester, North West, UK.
What can ou tell me about Zometa?(Zobone)
It was subscribed to me after my scan.
Hello Vivian,
You may have already addressed this, but my question is:
Is the supplement Stronium (I think its spelled correctly) safe
and effective for bones? Dr. Oz recommends it and if you goggle it
the results say it is as effective as any of the osteoporosis drugs
out today. It does caution you to take it 4 hours after calcium and to
make sure you get required calcium amount. It mentioned something
about alkaline, but I don’t remember what it said. My main focus is
Does it strengthen bones. Now the latest government study says calcium
and vitamin D supplements are not the answer to bone health.
Thanks for your input
Edna
My thoughts exactly, Edna. I heard this same info on Dr. Oz and am now more confused. I had been taking strontium for my bones (after reading great things about it) but stopped after Vivian’s update on the supplement. I’m so little to begin with and am trying so hard to maintain the bones I have without prescription drugs. I’m now trying my best to keep my body in an alkaline state.
My question Vivian is:
How does a person remineralize the jaw bone so that teeth don’t loosen with age and cause problems with the gums receding from the teeth?
I would like an answer on your question too, I was on Fosomax for a year and got terrible pain in my jaws, now my teeth are in bad shape and my gums, I’m afraid to have them pulled because of jaw rot.
Hi Vivian – thank you for this opportunity. You have presented strong arguments for taking in more alkaline foods or foods that move your system toward the alkaline state. NOW MANY FOLKS ARE SELLING ALKALINE WATER. Is there a benefit to this water or not? Does it help if say you are drinking other fluids that more acidic – like sodas – or eating foods that are moving your system toward the acidic state?? I must admit I have not searched carefully through your book Save Our Bones and it may be in there but I don’t remember. I think there is so much talk of the ALKALINE WATER that other may have this same question. If beneficial I would like to know. But I do think sometimes folks will take a scientific fact and then assume that it can change something that it CANNOT. I did try to email you this question once but your staff answered that I should read the label or speak to the people who sell the water. Something like that – but I want to know if you have studied this alkaline water theory and if you think it is beneficial. THANK YOU – and thank you for your research and commitment to our HEALTH.
Sincerely, Gwin
Vivian says just squeeze lemon juice into your water…..of course your water should be fluoride free. I installed a filter that removes the fluoride. Lemons become alkaline once they hit your gut.
Hello sometimes i hear milk is good when u are 40 years plus then later u hear other people say milk is not good what do u say about this
Can you suggest the best tasting tea to drink hot or cold and have some
health benefits?
I find the Save Our Bones an excellent program to be on and enjoy your regular e-mails in which others are able to give their experiences and receive answers to questions posed by a wide variety of people around the globe.
I see you are receiving a lot of calcium and vitamin D questions and look forward to reading your views on these. It has been suggested that I stop taking calcium and vitamin D and replace them with Cacitriol I cannot imagine why unless it is because there is a kick back on the number of prescriptions issued. (?)
Also, Dexa scan checking has been changed from every 18 months to every 12 months – will these more frequent Dexa scans expose the patient to too much radiation exposure?
Look forward to reading your views on calcium, vitamin D and Dexa scans.
Very best wishes
Linda
My bone scan reflected a reading of -3.9–very bad. I had fallen & broken 3 vertrabrae & was encouraged to take the drug FORTEO by stomach injections every day for 24 months. I stopped at 18 months due to my scare of taking any drugs. (this ws 2 yrs ago & I am 62.)
However, my next scan reading was 1.6–my Dr. told me I was not osteoporosic anymore, so it did help.
I also have been taking the whole food calcium that you recommended: New Chapter Bone Strenght Take Care & replaced milk with ALmond milk & consuming more fresh produce & plain yogurt, calcium fortified Orange Juice & cereal,snacking on almonds,walking 4 days wk & yoga 2 days a wk. What else can I do to help?
Local “Safe Our Bones Support Groups” could be started, (through Meet-Up). Would you “support” that by encouraging that,by bringing that option to every body’s attention? There is no one who competes with your spirit and competence. SOB would only continue to grow. Perhaps we could meet you one day. Docs’re aasking for Dexa scans, then recommend Fosamax, all in one breath, every day! We have lots of work to do. Leonore
Hi Vivian:
As we age we begin to lose our hydrochloric acid thus our digestion begins to slow down. Good digestion is key to healthy, strong bones because without good digestion we are not absorbing our nutrients very well. Many people supplement with hydrochloric acid to increase their stomach acid. My question is “what affect on the pH of the body does supplementing with HCI have? Does it make the blood more acidic and if so, could this present a problem in keeping a pH balance? Marilyn
Hi Vivian,
Have you heard of any side effects by taking AlgaeCal Plus? I alternate this calcium with Vitamin Source chelated Cal-Mag which is vegetarian. In your opinion, which is the better calcium? I have been having dryness on my eyelids and wondering if either calciums might be causing it.
Hello Marian,
I have tried every algae calcium I can find and always go back to chelated calcium because I keep having problems with back aches and wonder if it’s affecting my kidneys, but I keep trying. I’ve asked my doctor and although she doesn’t know she said she does have another patient who tried it and also thought it bothered her kidneys. Don’t know if it’s the problem but I keep going back to it on and off because it’s suppose to be the best for your bones.
Diane
Hi Vivianne
Im astonished by the revelation that Fosamac stops bone re-modelling. Why then do doctors precribe it along with recommending weight-bearing and exercise. Surely the reason for exercising is to increase bone density by encouraging bones to regenerate so is the drug then negating the effects of exercise. Marie