Use Houseplants To Prevent Bone Loss

My osteoporosis adventures are fascinating, with unexpected twists and turns that I am able to share with you right here on this blog. For example, while working on the Osteoporosis Reversal Program, I found a breakthrough bone cell study funded by no less than the NASA Space Agency.

Plants: Nature’s air filters

Today I want to share with you another breakthrough NASA discovery that you can easily implement to improve your bone health. It has to do with specific plants that are particularly effective at removing indoor toxins.

All plants take in CO2 (carbon dioxide) and release oxygen. This is important to your health in general and also to your bone health. I explain in the Osteoporosis Reversal Program that exposure to CO2 increases bone loss and that opening windows at home to prevent CO2 accumulation is an important Osteoporosis Reversal Program “Action! Step”.

But the NASA study titled “Foliage Plants for Removing Indoor Air Pollutants from Energy Efficient Homes” by Dr. B.C. Wolverton, Anne Johnson, and Keith Bounds goes further.

The researchers spent two years testing 19 different house plants for their ability to remove the three most commonly found indoor pollutants: benzene, formaldehyde, and trichloroethylene.

Dangerous bone-thinning chemicals may be lurking inside your home

The above chemicals acidify your body pH and cause calcium to leech out of your bones and into your blood stream. And because this toxic trio emanates mostly from products used in home construction and decoration, it is more than likely that you are exposed to them.

Let’s take a closer look at the source of the three indoor pollutants that can rob your bones of their density and cause other undesirable health symptoms.

Benzene: it is used as a solvent and is present in oils, paints, dyes, plastics, rubber, detergents, tobacco smoke and synthetic fibers.

Formaldehyde: it is found in practically all indoor environments because it emanates from urea-formaldehyde foam insulation (UFFI), particle board or pressed wood products used in furniture manufacturing, adhesive binders in floor coverings, carpet backings, and many household cleaners. Heating and cooking fuels like natural gas, kerosene, and cigarette smoke are also a source of formaldehyde.

Trichloroethylene: Trichloroethylene is mostly used in metal degreasing and dry cleaning, as well as in paints, lacquers, varnishes and adhesives.

Pick your bone-smart plants

Fortunately for us, the NASA researchers found that many house plants are very effective in actually removing these harmful chemicals from indoor environments.

Here is a list of Nature’s most efficient air cleaning plants that will not only insure you don’t breathe in chemicals that acidify your body and sabotage your bone health, but will also beautify your home. Best of all, they are all easily available at any nursery and do very well indoors.

The best plants that remove formaldehyde:

Azalea, Philodendron, Spider plant, Golden Pothos, Bamboo palm, Corn plant, Chrysanthemum, Mother-in-law’s tongue.

The best plants that remove benzene:

English Ivy, Dracaena marginata, Janet Craig, Warneck Dracaena, Chrysanthemum, Gerbera Daisy, Peace lily.

The best plants that remove trichloroethylene:

Gerbera Daisy, Chrysanthemum, Peace lily, Warneck Dracaena, Dracaena marginata.

According to the NASA study, one plant should be used for every 100 to 120 square feet of living space, and the plants should be in at least six inch containers with nothing covering the potting soil. Make sure that the plants you choose are safe for pets.

A quick and easy solution at your reach

As with all the “Action! Steps” in the Osteoporosis Reversal Program, this is one more easy solution to take control of your bone health.

So from Save Our Bones Mission Control, over and out.