We’ve all heard of the many health benefits of oranges and of other citrus fruits. But there’s a lot more to citrus than just Vitamin C…
A new study conducted by Texas A&M University and published in the journal Nutrition shows that the antioxidant effects of red grapefruit may increase bone density and slow down bone loss (Source: Grapefruit pulp increases antioxidant status and improves bone quality in orchidectomized rats. Nutrition, Volume 24, Issue 10, Pages 1039 – 1044 Farzad Deyhim et al).
The very promising conclusion was based on a sixty day study involving a total of fifty-six male rats. Forty-two rats were castrated to induce oxidative stress and lower testosterone levels so as to increase their risk of osteoporosis. One-third of the rats were then fed a regular diet, one-third were fed the same food plus five percent red grapefruit pulp, and the other third were fed the same diet plus ten percent red grapefruit pulp.
When compared to the unaltered rats, the castrated rats on a normal diet showed a substantial decrease in bone density, overall bone quality and antioxidant levels. They also lost more calcium and showed signs of bone breakdown markers in the urine. And while all the castrated rats showed a decrease in the magnesium and calcium levels in their bones, the decrease was not as severe among the rats fed the grapefruit pulp.
The altered rats not fed grapefruit pulp showed a 16%-24% percent reduction of the calcium and magnesium content in the lumbar spine. While the rats fed the grapefruit pulp had a decrease of only 10%-16%. Similar results were obtained for the hipbone density results of both groups.
Hello Vivian. thanks for the info. That may explain why people who grew up eating lots grapefruits do not get broken bones that easily. My mother has fallen and wacked her hips so hard several times over the years and has not broken or fractured them (she is 75). I will continue to eat my grapefruits. It has many health benefits as you mentioned. Has any research been done on the guinine properties of grapefruits grown in the winter months?
Vivian – I see the quote for the name and journal now – sorry to complain. I sincerely apologize. I really enjoy getting your emails!
Best,
LeAnn
Vivian,
Please give the actual name of the study and journal. I’d really like to read it.
thanks!
Statins and red grapefruit are a bad combination. Maybe this was made perfectly clear. I scanned the article.
It was a good article, but grapefruit interfers with some medications
which you didnt mention. I was going to send it to my daughter who
really needs help, but she wouldnt be able to eat the grapefruit or drink
the juice.
I used to like grapefruit so much & i used it for slimming as well. But since I was diagnosed with diabetes & certain drugs I have to take this is impossible to do. I am on Lipitor, this is out of the question.
Vivian, you have mentioned other varieties that we can have like sunflower seeds, pineapple, almonds etc.,this will suffice to folks like us, eating sensibly due to our health.
Thank you for your article.
I will be glad to eat red grapefruit, as I love them. My doctor did not seem to worry than I am not taking his drug. He said we will test again in two years. I cried out, Can’t it be one year? He did not reply. I hope I can have it in one year thought, even if I have to pay for it. Thanks for your comments. Margaretha
I was not pleased to read this article and how these male rats were abused all in the name of science! There has to be a more humane way to come up with the same results. Shame on the person(s) that conducted this study.
this article is nice one. Very informative and reading it have great knowledge helpful in our bone health.
How accurate can this study be if they were using MALE rats since the highest incidence of osteoporosis occurs in women?
I couldn’t read it beyond the part where the rats were mutilated and tortured. I don’t approve of that kind of research.
I have found the best natural organic nutrition supplement that probably not too many people still know about it. Not only does it contain many nutrients from just a single plant source, it also contains many medicinal properties.
I would be happy to share it with you, Vivian, as a way of paying back your generosity and kindness to help me to “Save our Bones” which I experienced good results.
Please let me know the name of this particular supplement. Thank you.
I too would be very happy to have this information….. thank you in advance for sharing.
Margot
I love red grapefruit but unfortunately grapefruit gives me cankers. My dentist told me to try taking Lysine daily which I do and it helps some. Is there anything else I can do to avoid cankers?
Hi Vivian, Can you recommend the names of books on Chinese medicine.
Kind regards,
Sally Timmins
Do not learn Chinese med or herbs by books unless you’re an experience herbalist or a doctor.
A few amateur herbalists bought tons of Chinese herbs from China town in San Francisco some years ago; went home grind the herbs to powder then mixed them up and capsuled them. They were all found dead later!
Different herbs process differently and some herbs chemistry will clash with each other.
I enjoy grapefruit every day and have been doing the Save Our Bones program for about 4 months and will get my next bone density test in Sept. My last test showed increase in bone density in my back but showed slight decrease in lower back. While surfing the web I found this program and started it right away.I also take vitamin K and vitamin D3 8000 IU per day also Omega 3 + coq10. After my bone density test, I will let you know the results.
Thanks
Sandra
THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR BOTH E-MAILS, VIVIAN. I HAVE YOUR BOOKS MENTIONED
I DO LOVE RED GRAPEFRUIT BUT I HAVE HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE & THAT IS A NO-NO.YOU
DO SO MUCH FOR ALL OF US. GOD BLESS YOU!
Vivian,
I’m on medication that that restricts the intake of grapefruit products. Too bad! I love grape fruit!
“Mickey”
Same here and cant have it due to RX// Darn it, cuz I love grapefruit.
This is quiet interesting and a sign of hope; but what about those poor rats?
You all might want to know.
There are some Meds, That grapefruit Cancels Out!
I’m glad I’m not a rat, but grapefruit is delicious so I shall add more of them to my diet.
I have reduced my cholesterol to normal got rid of my tablets and my Doctor said the Gym and the grapefruit has helped to reduce Colesterol and move from osteoporosis to Osteopenia ( Yellow grapefruit not red ) may be red is just the same but I am not sure. I cannot get your books because I do not use my credit card electronicly. Thanks for your emails they are very helpful.
Thanks Vivian….for everything you do!
This is an eye opener. Thanks
What a horrible thing to do to a group of rats for no valid reason! Comparing male rats to female humans is ridiculous. I’m sure Texas A&M would have had no problem getting human volunteers for a study that involves eating grapefruit…unless it involved castration.
I agree. This study cannot be very viable since it only involved MALE rats. Who pays for such ridiculous studies anyway?
Any red fruit or vegetable is very good for your health. It has been proven
to stop colon cancer.
I take 3 different medications for blood pressure and have been told not to eat grapefruit. There is no one cure for everybody about anything.
I’m curious =somone told me that grapefruit was in bad for diabetes, of which i am one. I’m taking metformin and glyberide for this disease. Please get me corrected if I have been givin wrong info. Because I love
grapefruit and have been avoiding it. I just want to take extra precaution too when it comes to my bones and other healthfull benefits. Thank you and God bless.
Surely you know that grapefruit interacts with blood pressure medication . So it is not good to tell people to eat grapefruit and not tell them about the negative interaction with blood pressure medication.
Hi Vivian, you are such a wonderful person, and so helpful too. Thanks for writing. Your display,and all that you are doing is just wonderful. You are a blessing to me and to so many others. I will be checking this your wonderful page, again and again. Hugs.
Many people on medications cannot eat grapefruit – so please include a
warning in this article
I CANNOT EAT GRAPFRUIT BECAUSE OF CERTAIN MEDICATIONS.
I take BP medication and it says not to eat grapefruit I love grapefruit. What will happen if I eat them.
Am enjoying and learning alot from your columns. I am a “quite active” 77 year old woman, shrinking more each year. My peak height was 5’7″ in my late fifties…. now5’2 3/4 and doing all within my knowledge to stop the loss. I take calcium with strontium, magnesium, glucosamine/MSM and the full range of vitamins. My tests show Vit D3 levels in the high range. In addition, I am in the partial care of an OD who prescribes the BHRT regimen to me. In addition to lifting weights 3 times a week, my husband and I walk for at least 2-3 hours a week. On the negative side, I have been taking Synthroid for many years, but find that to be a necessity. Help! what more can I do? Looking forward to more enlightenment from you. EK
Vivian,
Will your program help if my bone loss was created from multiple myelooma cancer?
Ron Simpson
I was recently diagnosed with osteoporosis of the spine with a high risk of fracture and osteopenia of my left hip, at the age of 55. I had a hysterectomy at the age of 36. The Dr. is pushing for me to take something or else I will be going down hill fast, as he put it. I do exercise 3x a week doing weight bearing exercises. I am so depressed I don’t know which direction to go. One thing I do know is I really am afraid to take any of the drugs. I have started going for Pulse Electromagnetic Field Therapy 2x a week and the Chiropractor feels this treatment will help to increase my bone density. I am so fearful of breaking my hip and ending up in a wheelchair. I know it is not a good way to live my life. I have also been looking onto Svaroopa r Yoga and this also is said to have great results. Anyone ever tried this?
There are good reports of Yoga Program for Osteoporosis/penia on http://www.sciatica.org/yoga/12poses.html
Dr Fishman is world renoun PM&R MD and done extensive work in use of Physical(Exercises)Therapy for many conditions.
LeeAnn,
Ask your doctor about calcitonin (injections or nasal spray). I have a book called “The Hormone Solution, Stay Younger, Longer” by Thierry Hertoghe, MD. This is what he recommends for osteoporosis of the spine. Of course, you can find the book on Amazon. I know how you feel so don’t get discouraged. I hope this helps.