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.
Thank you Vivian! your newsletters contain the best information that I have ever found concerning osteoporosis and bone loss. The information regarding the effects of using Fosamax and other “bone building” drugs was extremely helpful.
Dear Vivian,
As a breast cancer survivor (in remission one year) with osteopenia,
I am concerned about that study from the UK. Is it possible to buy
the CYP3A4 enzyme in supplement form?
Vivian, thank you so much for the inputs. Love grapefruits and eat them almost
daily. Take centrum cardio fit, calcium with vitamin D and garlique which
reduced my cholesterol by almost 100 points. I do have osteopenia which I
take actenol for once a month and it halps me tremendously, along with veggies
and most fruits. Do not have much dairy at all.
Vivian, thank you so much for the book about osteoporosis. It is a big help to me. I was diagnosed many years ago with the big “O”, and have suffered 6 compression fractures in my back. I didn’t even know I had them but that explains a lot of my pain. It is great to know that I don’t have to take drugs for it. I quit my Fosomax about three months ago. I haven’t tried all that is in your book but I do like red grapefruit and have started eating it. Thank you for trying to help all of us, at little expense. Sincerely, Barb Bowser
My sister & I eat red grapefruit before dinner most nights. Love it, especially with a little honey sprinkled on top. Love fruits & veggies anyway so this is no hardship for me. Thanks for all your updates, Vivian.
Interesting research! I love red grapefruits. Thank you so much for this helpful info and all you do to keep us informed.
I am sorry that I do not think eating red grapefruit is best for me. I know that it has a bad effect on the medication I am taking. It makes it stronger then the allotted dosage. I think you should warn people of this who are on medication of any kind. By the way I still have not read your book because I can not afford it on a limited income. It would be helpful if you would give copies to libaries or offer the book to them at a reduced price so people like me could at least read it. Hope everything is well with you.
Wonderful!!! I love the red grapefruits.will start eating more.
Fairview, NC
Until some studies have been conducted on humans, I am making no no changes in my eating habits.
I have had 19 broken bones. I am 74 years old and was diagnosed with osteoporosis in 1992. I took Fosamax for one year and had another bone density test. It showed a “significatnly significent” improvement. That was the last improvement ever shown while taking Fosamax until September of 2007. At that time, I had my first vertebroplasty. I had fractured T-6. The Interventional Radiologist used an 18 month old MRI showing that T-8 had fractured. He mistakenly operated on T-8. The pain during the vertebroplasty was almost un-endurable. Later the Doctor told me that he not only operated on the wrong vertebrae but that I had no anethesia. In September of 2007, I started the Forteo shot. It is very expensive, however, in September of 2008 a bone density showed some improvement. I need to take the shot for two years. I exercise daily, take calcium, lift weights, walk on the treadmill and pray. I have had 10 compression fractures. They are so very painful and the pain last about 3 months. I have been in pain since the wrong surgery was performed. I will never go through another surgery. I have had a back ache for nearly two years since the wrong surgery was done. Be Very Careful if you have a vertebroplasty. Make sure the attending surgeon does the right one.
I have scanned through so many of these E-mails but was so taken with yours what a nightmare you have been through you poor thing. My mother lives in pain everyday due to her back. We have been considering a “spinal stimulator” but after much thought I don’t think she can bring herself to go under the knife again with little improvement sometimes, unfortunately even worse and though I am always on the lookout for her because the pain is so dire I would not dream of trying to sway her since I am no longer sure myself. Operations have not been kind in our household I am on my sixth from having reconstruction after breast cancer. I never dreamed there would be such difficulty in slapping two implants and tailoring them up but apparently for me there is. Now with low bone density I am at the threshold of doing more meds and I do not want to-happened upon Vivian’s website and I am just about to look into her book. Do you have it yourself? I am sorry I went on so. In any event best of luck to you and God bless.
Deborah
I too suffer from back pain and all I do is use my Dr. Ho machine and it takes all the pain away. Now I only use it about once a week. Dr.Ho has a web site that you could check on. The only thing is you cant use it if you have any metal implants in your body. Hope this will help
Thanks for the interesting article. I love grapefruits and I will be eating a lot more of them now that I know of the bennefits they provide. Thanks to everyone who submitted comments. I enjoyed reading what you had to say as well.
I am under the impression that citrus fruits were bad for Rheumatoid arthritis, which I also have. I guess I will have to pick which is better/worse.
Thank you Vivian for all the information you give us. Now I think I will go eat that half of a red grapefruit in the refridg.
Ann
Hi Vivian!
It’s a good tip.But unfortunately in India, we avoid eating grapes because of heavy pesticides used by the farmers. I take a lot of imported raisins which probably, help me from slipping into osteopenia.I’m aged 67,lean but healthy male who does yoga and other excercises. I think, this too, among other things help me to possess good bones.
Thank you
Muralidharan
Vivian is talking about grapefruit not grapes, but congratulations for
having good bones at that age.
Thanks Vivian – I just finished reading all of these replies and they are of interest. I bought your book in January and feel that I am on the right track. I personally love red grapefruit and don’t consider my breakfast complete without a half of one. Perhaps that is why my bones are not worse than they are. I do take a statin at night, and I asked about the warning. It use to be not within 4 hours and now they are saying not at all. I was told that if I had been eating the grapefruit of a morning and my statin at night without problems, I should be fine. Thanks for all of your research.
What about citrus bioflavonoids? Don’t they help people who cant eat grapefruit?
Cannot eat fruits with acid, such as grapefruit, et. due to acid reflux.
Is there a substitute?
Guess I’m missing something here. Why were studies done on male rats,and castrated male rats? Aren’t we talking about Osteo,predominately in women,females?????
This was very interesting. But while in London, I cannot buy red grapefruits. Are the red ones different from the regular ones? A retired brilliant English cardiologist and famous in infectious disease here, –found a cure for the flesh eating disease–said calcium pills were bad and useless, and drinking a daily glass of fresh orange juice at bedtime, is all one need for the bones.
Reading the comments it was also interesting about relating to breast cancer– Which I had. Yes any phytoestrogenic activity could cause it if one has that receptor. Resveretrol, that one can buy over the counter in the States, is not sold in Britain for that reason.
Thanks for the letter Vivian.
Prima.
I’m taking Levoxyl for my thyroid, can I eat grapefruits?
Please continue sending me e-mails und thank you for sharing.
Anne
12th december 2008 i had a cross fracture of the 6th thoratic verterbra. have been diagnosed with osteoporosis, having researched i found vivian and the bone revolution book which i renamed my “bone bible ”
i have red grapefruit most days for breakfast. i was watching a cookery program and pineapple was on the menu the chef commented on how one pineapple was full of magnesium so i have include this into my diet along with calcium rich food
i can not thank vivian enough for taking the time to educate all of us on osteoporosis keep it coming vivian
on the 6th of march i am going for my bone density scan wish me luck
yvonne
Again, many thanks, Vivian. I love red grapefruit, and now with this important information, will eat it more. I also love to eat the white skin inside, after eating the fruit itself.
Keep the info coming, I love it. Thank you.
Unfortunately, two of my Doctors have advised me not to eat grapefruit because of the drugs I’m taking & the risk of cancer. I hope that they are other “tips” of things to take or do that would be of just as much help.
Eve
Thanks Vivian for keeping me far from those drug doctors. I will start
eating grapefruit immidiately. Appreciate your efforts in giving us
valuable information.
Mona
Oh yeah, and another thing…”DO NOT”, I repeat,”DO NOT” ingest and form of acidic juice in the morning e.g. orange juice, grapefruit juice etc. Because of the acidic levels in your body that early in the day. Drink all you want after 12:00 noon. Your doctor will not tell you that, because then you will have no need for them…”DO IT”
I strongly suggest reading on the nutritional theories of Dr. Linus Pauling…Google “Linus Pauling Therapy”. This put a totally differant spin in my life. You will not regret it…”DO IT”
Hello Vivian
Still awaiting bone density test (due end of March) am hoping my new regime will have helped but probably too soon to tell, as only commenced your exercise and diet three months ago. Have finally got used to low fat natural yoghurt but took some doing as will eating red grapefruit as I am not a lover of grapefruit either, but will certainly add it to my dietary list. Thank you for your continued support via the emails and I do hope that all those who have not purchased your book do so as it is now my healthy bones bible. All the best to you and all the women out there suffering from osteoporosis. Regards Mary
Thank you for the information on red grapefruit. I love them, but sometimes they don’t agree with me. I will give them a try again.
I have osteoporosis and the doctor scared me into doing Forteo treatments. The idea of rebuilding bone was positive, but the negative side effects experienced were enough to stop the treatment.
During the first week of Forteo treatment, I called the Forteo help line and asked about the rate of osteosarcoma in patients on the Forteo drug. Reply was one in 200,000 per year develop osteosarcoma. This was unfavorable information for me.
Then I found your website and purchased your book. Thank you!!! I like healthy eating, plus taking calcium, magnesium, Vitamin D and a multvitamin. Hopefully, my next bone scan will have improvement. Oh yes, I do exercise also.
I’m so happy to know that what I have been doing for years was the right thing.
I have eaten grapefruit for breakfast three times a week for years. I love it
and now I really love it. Thank you for the info.
What about Rubarb? 20% Calcium and plenty of Vitamin C. Grapefruit gives me cancer sores that really are sore not to mention ulcers in my mouth. Any suggest for that?
I enjoyed reading comments of various people. Keep up the good work. Please continue sending me emails. I am well pleased that your research helped many people. Thank you for sharing.
I noticed someone else said this also.
There are certain Meds where you cannot eat Grapefruit with.
It cancels out that Med..So you might want to check with your Dr.if your taking
anytype of Perscription Meds.
I have found that Taking “Strontium Citrate” has increased my bone density.
This can be bought at a good Health food store.
Calcium cannot be taken at the sametime. I have to wait about 3 hours in-between.
Also when I take a bone scan, I have to stop taking Strontium a month before, or you
can get a false reading.
Strontium Citrate has been a miricale for me.
Keep up the good work Vivian
Good Health to everyone..
Hi April,
How long have you been taking strontium citrate. I am 59 years old and have been taking fosamax for 4 years and my bone density improved from -3.5 to -2.5 (spine), and from -2.5 to -1.6 in the hip.
After reading Vivian’s book on bone revolution last April 2009, I have stopped taking fosamax for more than 2 months now. so I am looking for a substitute that is not as bad as fosamax, actonel and boniva as
her book says.
I would appreciate your response to this.
Very interesting. I usually avoid citrus as it upsets my stomach but I will give grapefruit a try & see how I do. I need all the help I can get.
Thanks for the new info., Vivian.
Sandy.
Grapefuit may very well help with osteoporosis, but I have never come across this in all my research. But, I will tell you what does definitely encourage bone growth…progesterone. Dr. Lee, a pioneer on the research of how progesterone encourages bone growth as well as all the other benefits that progesterone gives us worked many yrs. of his career helping woman with hormonal problems. I have researched the benefits of progesterone for all women, all ages….as well as all the other hormones in our body. Our hormones need to be balanced throughout our lifetime to prevent disease and to just feel as well as we should. Bio-identical hormones are the answer for this. I have researched BHRT for 14 yrs. I do woman’s consults for $25 not $400. I want to help women to feel well. I encourage you to research bio-identical hormones on the web or feel free to email me sb*****@*****er.com I would love to give you the information you need so you can partner with your dr. as a team to make a difference in your health. Susan Berkey
I too love grapefruit and eat it quite often. I just a few months ago
read a report from I believe John Hopkins indicating it can cause cancer.
I hesitated to eat them but I still eat them but not to the degree of what
I was eating. I enjoy your information and I really enjoy the feedback
from others. It is a great learning tool for us who are concerned about osteoporosis.
Thanks Vivian
I love red Grapefruit and will buy more of it though they are expensive here in England would it be o.k to take a Lycopene supplement as well or would this be too much? Keep up the good work and thanks for all your time and effort
Hi
Keep spreading the word!
Hello. . This is a GREAT website. Thank you Vivian for your Knowlefge and for sharing about how to fight : OSTEOPOROSIS!
If I am on Synthroid for my thyroid can I eat grapefruit for osteoporosis?
I will buy red grapefruit today and get started – such an easy way to help our bone density. Thanks.
Betty
Something I don’t understand. – In one of your e-mails to me you showed the improvement in your own bone density. The readings were: Minus 2.84 before, and minus 2.29 after! Since they are indicated as minus numbers, I would assume that the before is lower than the after. You state that the lower the bone density the better. ????? Am I reading this incorrectly?
Please explain.- Gladys Jones
I for one can not eat grapefruit, but what is your thoughts on eating Chia seeds for helping with joint pain, osteo etc. I would be interested in your opinion about this herb……Thanks for all you interesting information concerning osteo……Marge
I for one can not eat grapefruit, but what is your thoughts on eating Chia seeds for helping with joint pain, osteo etc. I would be interested in your opinion about this herb……Thanks for all you interesting information concerning osteo……Marge
Thanks for the advice, I will add grapefruit to my diet. Would oranges have similar effect?
Would other foods that contain lycopene be of equal benefit?
I have always loved red grapefruit,but was hearing so much about the side effects when combined with other medications, I decided to stop eating this wonderful fruit. Since I don’t take any medications, I am definitely going back to it—-TODAY IN FACT!!!
my question is: if you drink coffee how and when should you take a calcium suppplement? I have heard it is not good to take calcium with coffee? Any ideas will be of help.
I’ve read this from an article by Jill Weisenberger, MS,RD,CDE, Lifescript Nutrition Expert published 2/19/2009 which states:
Dont’ worry about caffeine – if you get enough calcium. Drink caffeine and you’ll lose more calcium in your urine one to three hours afterward. Drinking more than two to three cups of coffee per day is associated with bone loss in postmenopausal women when their calcium intake is inadequate.
Dear Vivian,
Love red grapefruit. Will start eating it again. Thanks! Anything that will help.
Love Lottie
Love grapefruit,didn’t eat a lot because of acid reflux.I told my Dr.about stopping taking Boniva(Fosamax before)because of same problem and like rebuilt
bone and keep them flexible.I also have very dense and nodular breasts with yearly check up.I am taking Benikar and Metopprolol,husband Crestor and don’t
know if it is good if we share 1 grapefruit sometime.We both love walking,it’s
nice weather in Florida,like milk and cheese,now use more soy milk,a lot fruit,fish,I take vitamin D and Ca,Centrum Silver(not every day,afraid of kidney stone from Ca,don’t drink enough water).I try exercise,help me for more
flexibility ,but more pain I got too in my shoulder.For me nothing is right or
wrong,could be good if in moderate amount whatever it is.
Love your letters and every suggestions that can help fight osteoporosis.
Thanks for doing this.
Regarding the sour taste of grapefruit I have always added a small sprinkle of salt on mine and it sweetens it.