It can be so romantic and relaxing…
The sound of falling rain, the calming lull of a waterfall, the invigorating effect of the ocean…
Being in close proximity to all of these is also electrifying (literally) and has profound bone health benefits.
As amazing as this sounds, it has been scientifically proven that when water moves, there is a release of negative ions – electrically charged particles that attach themselves to damaging free radicals. And most importantly, these ions alkalize your body.1
Fresh air, and in particular the air after a rain or near a large body of water, is high quality electrified air. In contrast, the recirculated indoor air we are exposed to in windowless buildings has an abundance of positive ions.
Fortunately, there are easy ways to remedy this. I address this important topic in my blog post titled ‘Use House Plants to Prevent Bone Loss'. If you haven’t yet, I urge you to read it.
The Body Is Electric
As I write in the Osteoporosis Reversal Program:
“Because Hydrogen ions (H+) are positive and acid forming, and Hydroxyl ions (OH-) are negative and alkaline forming, alkaline and acid reactions are basically electro-chemical.”
Like all living organisms, we are not only made up of chemical reactions. We are also an entire system of astonishingly well-organized electrical reactions. And when Mother Nature gives us a helping hand, we should take good advantage of it.
Improve Your Mood, Help Your Bones
You already know the benefits of an alkaline body and how and why it is so crucial to build strong and healthy bones. But research is now revealing a whole new angle to the alkaline/acid equation that can also help your bones: breathing negatively charged air helps relieve anxiety.
Studies have shown a normalization of the brain chemistry of animals raised under conditions that caused them the equivalent of human anxiety disorders when exposed to negative ions.2
And I cannot stress enough the bone health benefits of reducing stress (pun intended!). In fact, in my previous blog post I quote from the Program that stress is an acidifying process.
So get out in the fresh air, especially after (or even during!) a rainfall. Of course, avoid slippery surfaces and wear the appropriate shoes. If you go on vacation near the sea, a river, or a lake, try to spend a good amount of time near the shore. You’ll get loads of bone-healthy alkalizing and relaxing hydroxyl ions.
But sometimes we are stuck indoors, so here are some valuable…
Tips to Avoid Indoor Pollution
- If you can’t open windows in your workplace, try to take frequent breaks and go outdoors. Many coffee shops and restaurants offer outdoor seating, especially during the summer.
- Take advantage of the weekends and spend as much time outdoors as possible (even if you’re not near a large body of water, there are a lot more negative ions outside than indoors).
- Keep one window slightly open at home, at least for a few hours.
- When you go outdoors, take a few deep breaths every once in a while.
- If you live in a true city setting, try to organize weekend “getaways” to nearby places with rural settings.
And remember, as the Roman poet Juvenal wrote,
“Never does nature say one thing and wisdom another.”
Till next time,
References
1 Baldwin BE. “Why is fresh air fresh?” The Journal of Health and Healing 11(4):26-27. 2004.
2 Livanova LM, et al. “The normalizing effect of air ions on neuroticized rats with different typological behavioral characteristics.” Zh Vyssh Nerv Deiat Im I P Pavlova. Mar-Apr;45(2):402-409.1995.
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New Study Further Confirms The Benefits Of Exercise On Bone Health
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I have been taking Macro Greens supplement drink plus Vitamin d-3 2,oooiu plus horsetail 3 times a day,plusvitamin k2 once a day for bone health is this a good combo?
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I sleep with a window open year round, live beside “Mill Pond” and even though my bedroom window is on the other side of my apartment I still feel a benefit from the pond.
I work with a woman who worked in research on bone density and the use of Fosamax. We butt heads often over this issue since I went off this horrible drug.
I really appreciate all the info you keep coming our way, THANK YOU Vivian
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I am 45 and had an x-ray taken by my Chiropractor, He told me my spine in my middle
area is thinning and that it looks like a woman
who is in her 60’s. Could you tell me if this can be reversed with your program? Can a person grow more fluid in between the disks? Is this considered osteoporosis Also would this cause back pain?
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I have two himalayan salt rock lamps. One in my bedroom and one in my living room. I understand these help to balance the ions in your home. Is this good for bone health too?
Have started my health book cooking and ANXIOUSLY awaiting your cook book. That will be my Chrismas present to me.
Thank you and have a good day-
I also have 1 himalayan salt rock lamp in my living room by my tv do I leave it on all day and will it help with my bone health
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Catherine and Dorothy, Himalayan salt lamps emit negative hydroxil ions, so they perform the same function as moving water. 🙂
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I have one baby, he is 2yrs old. How can I take care of his bone to easily growth? What’s food are goods for his health?
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Milk gives us calcium.So, why it is harmful us? I don’t understand.
Thanks for giving us more information about bone.
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Is there any solution of back bone & knee pains?
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Thanks, Shula
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I have been prescribed calcium carbonate in tablets called Adcal. These also contain Vit D3. I have not been taking them as I thought they might be the kind responsible for causing heart trouble. I would be very grateful if you could let me know if these are OK or not. Also I have been told that calcium can cause frozen shoulders and as I have had 2 of them, please could you let me know if there is a connection? My GP wants to see me to do a prescription review early next week so I would be so grateful if you could respond in time.
Thanks Vivian
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Which of the calciums is bad for the heart? I have an appointment with my doc on Tuesday and I want to ask for some supplements.
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When I was young, I always went to the beach for relaxing. In here, I get little chance, it is very far. Now, I understand why people choose near the river for vacation.
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Querida Ely,
Me alegro que formes parte de nuestra comunidad! Alastimadamente, por ahora puedo enviar los articulos solamente en ingles… Pero se que hay programas de traduccion que se obtienen gratis.
Un abrazo fuerte,
Vivian -
What about taking Evista? My Dr. says it will prevent any further bone loss from osteopenia.
Grace
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Grace, I talked about Evista in Question #3 in this blog post: https://saveourbones.com/vivian-answers-day-5/
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WHEN YOUNGER, I FELT SO AT PEACE WHILE SITTING NEAR THE OCEAN, LISTENING TO THE LAPPING WATER COMING IN AND OUT…
WE ARE NOW LIVING IN A HOME WITH A RIVER ON OUR PROPERTY… JUST LOOKING AT THE RIVER FLOWING AND HEARING IT SPLASH OVER THE ROCKS IS COMFORTING.
SOMETIMES I SEE BIRDS AND ANIMALS SUNNING NEAR THE RIVER AND THEY LOOK SO PEACEFUL… THEY KNOW HOW TO RELAX…
YOU CAN ALSO OWN A SOOTHING WATER FOUNTAIN FOR YOUR HOME…
Blessings… Elizabeth W.-
You are very fortunate to have the sights and sounds of the river so close at hand — it’s such a peaceful, healing experience. And you’re right, for those who don’t have such easy access to the water, a water fountain can provide a lot of the same effects.
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Is yogurt betten than kefir? I always thought that kefir had more to offer.
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Kefir is better as it contains about 40 different mivro-organisms!
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I’ve always felt better when I was near water…now I know why that is!
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Indeed, there’s a reason water is so soothing! 🙂
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I have pains in my lower back almost daily. It hurts to bend down and it hurts to move in a certain way. I also notice if I lift something using both hands it pains my back. I of course think the worse as I tend to be a little overactive in that department. I do exercise and walk everyday. I do use the SaveOurBones diet so I am doing lots of right things. Are pains more noticeable because I have Osteoporosis? Or is daily pain an alarm? When should we/me think it’s normal to have a little daily pain? Should I give a certain number of days before reacting to backpain? I am not a person to retreat to medical help unless It hurts more each day or if the pain doesn’t go away. Just asking as another way to evaluate pain. I hope this doesn’t come across like I am asking anyone to give me doctor’s advice. Thanks for the article on the value of outdoor freshair.I am enjoying these low humidity days by going for extra long walks. Joyce H. Good to have these daily encouragers!
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Hi Joyce- Lower backaches are very common, probably a reminder of our daily struggle with gravity as we walk on two legs…
Back pain can have many causes, most of them unrelated to osteoporosis. My recommendation is that you consult with a good chiropractor. Unless you have a fracture, osteoporosis doesn’t hurt.
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I had this problem for many years. I am 75 years old and am very active, vigorous walking, pilates, yoga and tap dancing. A very savvy Physical Therapist with an advanced certification in the McKenzie Method can give you very simply and time efficient exercises that may help you. For the first three months I did the exercises every hour and then tapered off. From time to time I do the exercises as needed.
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Vivian,
What do you know about the medication Fosteum? Would this be safe for me to help with my osteoporosis?
Judy-
Hi Judy- I don’t recommend Fosteum, due to the fact that one of its main ingredients is soy-derived genistein, which is a phytoestrogen.
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Dear Vivian, Could you repeat the article about wrinkles/Bone scans?
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Here’s a link to that article, Bussert: https://saveourbones.com/link-between-wrinkles-and-osteoporosis-fact-or-fiction/
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If milk is bad for us why is Yoghurt good?
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Hi Dave- As I say in https://saveourbones.com/osteoporosis-milk-myth/, while milk is acidifying and has other detrimental qualities, “unsweetened fermented or cultured dairy products such as yogurt, kefir, and sour cream are acid neutral. Yogurt in particular is chock-full of beneficial qualities.”
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I found your article on water and plants very interesting, especially as my last two holidays have been spent near water and I felt so much better. I was so interested in it I sent it on to my daughter who lives in America and has osteopenia.She already has a peace lily and is in the process of getting some of the other plants mentioned. In fact she read my copy of Save your Bones book when she visited in June.