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,
Hi Vivian, thank you for all you do. Your information has helped me a lot. I have read that olive leaf supplements are good for bone health. What is your opinion?
Dear Vivian: I am a huge fan of your program. The information in the handbook that I purchased a few years ago is packed with great advise and good old common sense. A friend of mine sent me an article just the other day that baffled me. I am hoping you can shed some light. The article is from the Tribune and it states that postmenopausal women shouldn’t take low doses of vit D and calcium (D-400 and Cal – 1,00 mg) as they have little effect and come with slightly increased risk of side effects such as kidney stones. Your book suggests in chapter 11 the RDA for women should be 800 to 1,200 calcium and 400 IU vit D. I do not know how much of each I should be taking at this point. Please help! Thank you for all that you have done and continue to do for our bone health.
One more question if you don’t mind: Does Osteoporosis cause pain throughout the body other than fracturing a bone?
My question is regarding the recent news about calcium and post menopausal women. Is it true that it is not necessary for post menopausal women to take calcium and that it can actually cause kidney stones? The news story also stated that calcium, along with vitamin D no longer helps with strengthening the bones in menopausal women. I appreciate your research and the time you put into helping women with this issue. Thanks! Barb
Vivian, I have two questions.
One is regarding water purification. Does the Britta charcoal filter provide clean water after filtration?
And, second, does Almond Milk provide a significant amount of calcium?
Thank you
I’m very grateful for all your information for us, the osteoporotic people. I’ve been on Save Our Bones diet for three years and feel great.But at 64 years old I’m underweight & my doctor is very concerned. I’ve tried to change my percentage of alkaline versus acidic foods, but still can’t gain the weight. What high caloric density foods would be safe for me? Thanks
Hello Vivian,
I have breast cancer which has spread to my liver and spine (T5). Dr is about to put me on Zometa or Denosumab (seems to think the latter is better, but I have read your opinion on this!!) Apparently things are going to worsen as I am on arimidex and they say I have osteopenia. I take calcium, magnesium, boran, K2 drops, D3 drops and glucosamine. Think I read that you don’t recommend strontium citrate even though it’s the better type. What else can I do??
I have been diagnoised with having Pagets disease. The doctor is insisting on putting me on Reclast, Boniva etc. I am NOT going to let them inject me with that poison. I read upon the side effect…they spray orange trees and oil machinery with the Reclast, the others make the bones so hard that if you have a fall your bones would shatter like glass. What are your recommendations for me?
I was trying Ultimate pH Balance in early May of 2012. I stopped taking the drops after 12 days because it felt as if it was affecting my blood
sugar readings as well as my blood pressure. Could Ultimate pH Balance
possibly affect some people in this manner? Could it possibly be a
coincidence of some sort? I’m debating whether to return the product or
try it again to see if I get the same type of feeling again.
I would like information regarding women who take a “holiday” from Fosamax. I have been on it 14 years. No adverse side effects, but my DXA scores are progressively worse. Doctors tell me that statistics say that women do not improve, but they hold ground better than those who take nothing. Do you have something I can see in print regarding these tests? Many thanks.
Do you think that small daily amounts of baking soda can help with osteoporosis?
What do you know about DHEA sublingual drops to help osteoporosis ?
Thanks for your help so far.
Am still waiting for my refund from Nugenics – was emailed on 14th to say money would appear in my account in 3-5 business days.
Thanks for your input.
It is now SIX days later.
Anyway you can reply to my email address so I can let you know the outcome and ask for more help if needed.
Many thanks
Can you give me a list of the exact vitamins/supplements that we should be taking for osteoporosis? I have refused the medicine that my doctor prescribed (fosomax, boniva, etc. he said I could take either one – thanks but no thanks). I am trying to follow your progam and also take vitamins, exercise, etc. I need more exact guidance on what vitamins/supplements I should be taking everyday for example brand,etc. I have your program but am having a hard time figuring it out. I need more specifics. If you could be more specific it would be very helpful.
Hello Vivian,
I have osteoporosis. I now have a compression fracture at T10 on my spine, which the Dr suspects is from osteoporosis. I will have a bone density scan tomorrow. Is there any option for me, I don’t want to take meds.
Thanks, Christine
Dear Vivian,
I met a nurse who told me she uses Diatomacous Earth DE for good health.
Is this product safe to use for osteopori\sis?
Thank you for the many tips you send, I really do appreciate it.
Gratefully
Jeanne
Dear Vivian,
Please help us understand the role that oxalic acid and other chemicals that bind with calcium, including phytic acid, have in the Save Our Bones program.
I’ve recently read some articles that have left me concerned that I may have replaced many of the acidic foods in my diet with foods that inhibit calcium absorption, and that my bones will be no better off (or possibly worse off). For example, when I started Save Our Bones, I replaced regular milk with almond milk and I have been juicing dark green vegetables including spinach on a regular basis. Now I see listed under “Very High Oxalate” some of the foods recommended in Save Our Bones, including almonds, sesame seeds/tahini, spinach, and swiss chard. A number of fruits and vegetables, such as dried apricots and sweet potatoes, are listed as “High Oxalate.” I cannot find the oxalic or phytic acid content of many of the other foods in my diet.
I hope that you will consider this request and provide additional guidance. Also, please let us know if there is a test that would help determine whether there is enough calcium in someone’s system for good bone health.
Thank you for the opportunity to ask questions – I always read your responses to see if there are ways that I can improve on what I’m trying to do for healthier bones!
Maria
Hi Vivian,
I had osteoporsis about 5 years ago, I recently took another bone scan and was told that I have osteopenia, my question is what the difference between the two and what I need to do. Thanks for your info.
Shirley
Hi Vivian,
I have one additional question: Is coconut water alkalizing?
Thanks for all you do!
I stopped taking Boniva 14 months ago, after taking it for about 2-1/2 years. How long, on average, does it take for the drug to leave the system?
I have been suffering with shingles in my head (the worse kind)for the last six months. No pain killing med has worked so far except poisoning my body. I am ready to try other routes. I found a website called Nature’s Pearl that recommands a premium Muscadine red grape seed supplement; I am told it reduces inflamation. I used to have osteoporosis but now thanks to all your hard work I have progressed to osteopenia. I’d greatly appreciate your opinion. I don’t want to go back to osteoporosis but I need to do something about the excruciating constant pain I’ve lived with since January. I am also considering seeing a chiropractor. Would that have a negative effect on my bones? Thank you so much for everything you do for us. Your hard work is greatly appreciated – Nicole
I am a Pilates teacher and underwent a DXA Bone Densitormetry indicating:
Left hip: T-score -2.7 and BMD (g/cm2) 0.609
Femoral neck: T-score 2.8 and BMD 0.540
Lumbar spine: T-score -3.6 and BMD 0.637
I have declined pharmaceutical intervention. I reade the following (https://www.ideafit.com/fitness-library/modifying-pilates-for-clients-with-osteoporosis) learning the risks of Pilates and exercises I should avoid. This is very disheatening as it is my occupation. Based on the T-scores listed above, how high is my risk for a spine fracture if I continue to do or even demonstrate flexion and spinal twists?
Thanks for all your good work, Vivian!
I am a vegeterian and have osteroporosis. How can I get protiens without eating meat or fish – I am alergic to Soja?
(You can understand that this is very urgent for me!!)
Thank you for all your help.
Does anyone keep statistics on fractured bones in relationship to person being on fosamax (or similar drug) and number of years person was on drug, and is this available to the public? I was on fosamax for at least 10 years, have been off for 3-1/2 years, and trying desperately to improve bone density scores. Very difficult to eat 80/20 alkaline/acidic but trying. Postive note – weight vest (only up to 5 lbs.) while on treadmill has improved strength in my back.
Thank you for all your work in this field and keeping us updated.
Hi Vivian
Is Candida and Osteoporosis a related problem?
Thanks for a reply
Helen
IS THERE AN ANSWER OF THIS QUESTION:
Hi Vivian, Do you think that an osteoporosis with T-score more than 4,0 (about 4,2-4,4) can be treated only with your program? Now I am 60 years old and have pain in my back and legs. I would like not to use any drugs for osteoporosis, but I am afraid it won’t be enough and later I could face much more problems?! I am in a very difficult situation. Please let me have your advise!
Dear Vivian, I have been on Actonil for about 6 years, and gave it up a month ago…most of the pain in my shins has stopped, but upper arms still very painful when I raise them..do you think this pain will go and if so, how long should it take?
Hi Vivian,
I have adjusted my diet to include more alkalinizing foods and find that I am experiencing constipation. I’ve always had a tendency toward slow motility and constipation but it’s worse now than before. I consume only yogurt and kefir milk products. No cheese, only alkalinizing grains. Used to eat more whole grains, prunes, but these are acidifying and I’ve mostly cut them out of my diet. Do you have suggestions to help treat the constipation naturally to avoid taking laxatives?
Thank you so much!
Cathy
Hi Vivian,
Could you please comment on which breads, if any, are alkalizing? I am wondering about Ezekiel Bread, manna bread or other sprouted wheat breads. What about spelt bread, as spelt appears in two columns in the Save Our Bones book? Love your work!
Thanks,
Susan Walker, Vancouver, Canada
I have been reading up on the health benefits of kale as I have quite a bit of it growing in my organic garden. My question is this: If kale is high in calcium (one cup providing 15 % of the daily requirement and 40 % of manganese required daily, which I thought helped the body absorb calcium) and superrich in Vitamin K which is necessary for bone health BUT contains oxalates that interfere with the absorption of calcium, then how is kale a bone healthy food? I am so confused. Please help us understand this whole process. I am trying to follow the dietary plan that you recommend in your book, but get confused when it comes to kale and spinach, which I think of as super foods!
Hi Vivian, Im building up my ration of alkaline to acid foods in each meal. So far it is 1 third alkaline to 2 thirds acid. I am vegetarian and my main meal of the day is lunch. For instance I would a have a salad to 1 third, a bean dish (1 third) and a grain dish (1 third). so I thought I would sprout my grains. Is it true that if you sprout a grain it will be become alkaline rather than acid? So then I would automatically have 2 alkaline foods and 1 acid food at each main meal. What do you think? Is it a good idea? Raw food is not my favourite food and i find it difficult to get enough alkaline food so I thought that this would be one to add to my growing arsenal. Also I have been to see a natureopath and he said that my system is acid so It is an important issue to me and I beleive it is one reason why I have been diagnosed with Osteoporosis. Vivian I would also like to say that I think you are amazing…what you have done…your website…how you have helped the global communtity and me as an individual…it truly does bring tears to my eyes and I thank God for you…xx Maxine 🙂
Thanks so much for all the information you send. It is very interesting and helpful.
My question pertains to coconut sweetener. You list fresh coconut and coconut oil as alkalizing. Only honey and stevia are listed as alkalizing sweeteners. My bag of coconut sweetener indicates that it is “All Natural Pure Coconut Sap”. Where does this sweetener fit in? Is it alkalizing or acidifying?
Thanks
I like to drink unsweetened ice tea when I go out to eat, and get green tea sweetened with honey from Starbucks. My question is, is the caffeine bad for me?
I was wondering the same thing.
What can you tell me about taking strontium?
Dear Vivian,
One of my good friends was recently diagnosed with acid reflux and her doctor advised her to go on Prilosec and follow the “gerd” diet. She is very concerned about taking Prilosec because of her family history of osteoporosis and the drug’s negative calcium depletion side effects. Also, the gerd diet prohibits many of the foods that strengthen our bones (yogurt, tomatoes and many other nutritious fruits and vegetables).
I noticed in one of your responses (from a reader who was diagnosed with a hiatal hernia) you mentioned you also had acid reflux and successfully weaned yourself from an acid reducing drug and now just follow your Osteoporosis Reversal Program. How were you able to wean yourself off this drug, follow the akaline diet in your program and no longer have to deal with acid reflux?
My mother is also trying to wean herself off Prilosec after being on the drug for 10 years and would like to do so while following a natural wholistic diet. What would you recommend for them?
Thanks so much in advance for your cooperation.
Sincerely,
Claire Crilly
Osteoporosis “runs” in the maternal side of my family. On my mother’s side, all women as they aged had it (great-grandmother, grandmother, mother); they all shrunk in height & developed Dowager’s humps. All are/were Caucasian, short in height (I am the tallest at 5’4″) & relatively thin. My mother had double hip replacements in her mid-70s; the doctors said she had osteoarthritis & had abused her hips when she was younger (she’d been a downhill skier & ran a ski shop in which she frequently climbed up & down stocking ladders; often jumping down from the ladders).
I am now 60 years old (my mother is 83) & have been taking calcium-magnesium supplements since my 30s. Currently, I take Whole Foods Market’s “Bone Complex” synergistic product (contains, in addition to calcium & magnesium — vitamin C, vitamin D3, vitamins K1 & K2, vitamin B12, phosphorus, zinc, copper, manganese, potassium & boron). Also, since my 30s I have been active (aerobics classes, swimming, walking & currently Anusara yoga). Despite my efforts to stave off osteopenia/osteoporosis my bone density levels have continued to drop
(2004 — total L hip: -1.1 & L hip femoral neck: -1.5)
(2006 — total L hip: -1.6 & L hip femoral neck: -1.5)
(2007 — total L hip: -1.4 & L hip femoral neck: -2.1)
(2009 — total L hip: -1.6 & L hip femoral neck: -1.5 & total R hip:
-1.1 & R hip femoral neck: -1.2)
(2011 — total R hip: -1.62 & R hip femoral neck: -1.76)
For the past 4-5 years I have been consulting with a traditional chinese medicine / functional medicine practitioner. She tells me that osteoporosis is due to inflammation, not lack of calcium. We are doing several things, among them strengthening my thyroid (Apex Energetics TYRO-CNV has definitely increased the FT3 levels (2010: 2.19 & 2011: 2.63); I under-convert from T4 to T3 which causes my weak thyroid levels.) She also has me on an insulin resistance diet (all my life I have been a carbs/sweets binge eater, although I am not overweight). I have been on the I.R. diet for about 1 1/2 years. My cravings for carbs/sweets have gone, probably ever since she warned me that if I did not change my ways, diabetes was headed my way. Also on the advice of my alternative health practitioner I’ve begun boiling beef, then poultry bones with vinegar twice/week & drinking this bone broth once/day.
I know that you wanted one ?, but the older I get & the more I study about bone density, there isn’t just one ?
Based on my journey so far, it seems that no matter what I do, I am bound to wind up with osteoporosis?
(by the way, I do not & never really have smoked, I do not drink either alcohol or caffeinated beverages & am on a modified paleolithic diet (protein with every meal, lots of cooked vegetables & some seeds/nuts/grains; this diet was advised by my TCM/functional medicine practitioer + I cut out sugar 1 1/2 years ago when I began eating to treat I.R.)(I do yoga classes 5 times/week (depending on my energy level; I tend to get fatigued easily) & it’s not just the stretch & restore type of yoga; I practice handstand, headstand, backbends, etc. — my Anusara teachers are very careful when teaching these challenging poses & I think that they do help my overall health)
I apologize for this long-winded ? I guess my ? is something like, “Despite working against getting osteoporosis since my 30s, it seems that I’m going the same way the other maternal side women in my family; is it impossible to fight genetics in regard to osteoporosis?
I fractured my hip a month ago my doctor wants me to consider injections
they are Forteo. I fell is how I got fracture. What do you know about these injections. I am scared.It has serious side aeffects.
I would love to TRY your new sweetener, but can you offer it in a smaller amount? Three pounds is a lot at one time. What If I don’t like it? Can I return it?
Is Strontium good or ok to take for those who don’t have actually have osteoporosis?
Dear Vivian,
You keep saying that you improved your bone density by 20% in a year. That was several years ago. What happened later? Did it improve further? Thank you.
Hi Vivian,
My only aunt is now suffering from bone cancer (after surviving breast cancer and then lung cancer 10 years ago). All labs and tests performed were normal until last week when they performed a Bone Scan because her hip started to hurt. The diagnosis is Bone metastasis (mainly on vertebrae, femur and acetabulum). How can I help her ease her pain and make her bones stronger? Thank you!
My ph level 6.5 or 7, I am Asian, until October I am turing 78. My questions are: Where can I find the supplements in one pill with sufficient quantity? or I have to take several pills? Please recommend me.
and the other, Can you give me a success story about an Asian, how she
prepare her meals? I am struggling for my meals, because I am old, a big
change, sometimes I hardly to adjust it, even I live in Australia for 22
years.
Hi Vivian ,thanks for all the tips and updates that you forward on a regular basis.
My question is which is the best oil to cook with, particulary when pan frying or baking fish?
regards
Jojo
Dear Vivian,
I had written to you one month ago.But got no reply .I was diagonised with osteopinia 8yrs ago since then my specialist put me on IDROPHOS once a month and calcium.My bone density is no better than before. But after readng your book 4months ago, which has been an eye opener i have stopped taking IDROPHOS. I still take my calcium.I want to change to natural calcium as you have said it is better absorbed by the body.Can you suggest any? I also want to start taking ubiqunol, can you suggest that too. I am 58yrs old and active. I try to eat a healthy diet, as you have mentioned.
Thank you so much for sharing your research with all of us.
sandhya.
Hi Vivian…I would like to know if you know anything about ‘EZORB’. It’s supposedly the ‘New Generation Calcium Supplement’. It comes in powder form and capsules. I’ve been taking this for almost 2 years. I have no known side effects and feel really good, but my concern is how safe is this product. Is it causing me any health issues that haven’t shown up yet. When you read blogs, it’s mostly negative with few positives and you never know what to believe. Your opinion: should I continue taking this? Thank you!
Is San Peligrino and spring water OK to drink?
In your Save Our Bones program you mentioned that a particular type of calcium supplement was better and necessary for good bones, but you never gave any information about that calcium supplement. Which calcium supplements are best for us to take for better bone health and how much?
The matter of milk being harmful because of acidity.
I drink two glasses of milk a day.
If it is only the matter of acidity, how much of it is in 500 g of milk comparing with acidity of an average apple ? or a slice of lemon ?
I know fermented foods are good for bones (as well as having other benefits). How do you ferment your own food, such as broccoli, kale, or cabbage for sauerkraut?
I have your great book Save our Bones and I’m working my way through it. My question is this. How can I help keep the cartilage between the bones healthy.
Recently I have been diagnosed with Spinal Stenosis.. degenerative disks and compression. Also Osteoarthritis.
I continually have pain in my left butt and stiffness down my leg. I am not diagnosed w/Sciatica. I go to chiro, get manipulations and acupuncture. I am afraid of the Decompressing machine that is hooked up to computer. I am actually afraid to be decompressed at all. MY choices are: Chiro, Physical Therapy, Epidural, and Surgery. How can I help relieve myself of the constant pain. I will be trying physical therapy very soon.