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.
Dear Vivian
We need you in Australia too! I have learned so much from The Bone Health Revolution and am sharing it with friends. I tried to interest my doctor in it ~ and the biochemical side of osteoporosis, but in spite of so much other help from her, did not succeed ~ which confirms the general picture with GPs. Have made some significant changes in my diet towards a PH balance kinder to bones and hope my osteoblasts have got the message! Red grapefruit have been on my menu for a long time, but I’ll make this more regular.
I have a question about my need for an iron supplement, possibly increased by a reduced intake of red meat and eggs. I know this must be taken well away from
the calcium supplement I’m taking (one with all the other balanced ingredients mentioned by you as helpful). But would it still work against an effort to improve on an acid PH reading of 5 ? This was one thing I could not answer from your book.
Thank you for your personal concern for all of us. Even with the help of computers, it must be a massive task to keep in touch. Please know that I respect and appreciate your professional efforts although I have limited time to respond.
Hi Vivian,
I first inquired for some info, for a girlfriend (Age 80). Her doctor wanted her to start Foreto (May be spelled wrong) for osteosporsis. She asked me to google for her. She couldn’t afford the book. I will tell her about eating grapefruit. I will also eat more. I love it, I eat 2-3 a week now. I will increase it now. God Bless you and keep up the good work.
Grapefruit juice interacts with many drugs. It stops the breakdown of
statin drugs in the liver and creates a buildup of the drug, increasing the
risk of liver damage. The “grapefruit effect” lasts 3 days so you cannot
eat or drink it while on medications that prohibit it.
I will have to, switch to Red Grapefruit. Thanks for the info.
My comment is as above
Hi Vivian, I do enjoy reading your emails to me, they are helpful. I have a chronic Intistitial Cystitis, which is under control, due to diet, since I have stopped eating, citrus fruits,which I just enjoy so much, plus tomatoes, preservatives, vingegar based products, my health has improved dramatically, so if there was a substitute I could take with out interferin with I.C. and have no side effects, I would gladly take it. Yvonne
For those who can’t eat grapefruit for various reasons, PRUNES work to restore bone loss. 9-10 a day. You have to work up to that number:
“The humble prune can reverse bone loss, and his research data is looking strong. For more than a decade Dr. Arjmandi of Florida State University in Tallahassee has tested a wide variety of “functional foods” for their potential impact on bone health. He has studied soy, blueberries, strawberries, raisins, dates, and finally prunes. No other natural substance, he reports, comes near to having the bone-building effect of prunes. Further, he reported he had never seen any natural substance produce such consistent beneficial bone-building results.
Dr. Arjmandi’s several successful animal and human studies document that special phenolic compounds in dried plums up-regulate growth factors linked to bone formation (such as IGF-1) and counter the activity of factors that inhibit bone formation (such as TNF-alpha). It probably also helps that prunes are one of the foods highest in antioxidants and also contain generous amounts of various key bone nutrients including potassium, boron, and copper. While Dr. Arjmandi has found other natural substances capable of halting bone loss, prunes were the only food found to actually restore lost bone.”
So prunes it is.
I had a compound fx, left ankle, in January- have been diagnosed with Osteopenia and one hip with osteoporosis. I take bone building calcium with D, K and Magnesium in the morning and Strontium in the evening. I will not have another bone scan until next year. I am not able to walk long distance as yet, since I still wear a small appliance on my ankle in my shoe. The doctor I went to is a new one and he gave me an rx for Fosamax again as I had stopped taking it after I read everything about it. I have been on it for almost 8 years or more and the doctor said my ankle bone was like mush so Fosmax was not a help?? I do not want to continue taking it, I eat well, do not smoke, seldom drink,and do the exercises the therapist gave me when getting therapy. I see orothpedic doc next week and hope to be dischared as is now 5 months since injury and I am 80. Rita Marshall
This is interesting but to give this study too much credibility is premature. The study is small and based on castrated rats. A larger study on humans needs to be conducted
Hi Vivian. I am not sure about the Grapefruit as I am under the impression that Grapefruit inhibits the absortion of calcium, so I have stopped eating them. I wuld appreciate if you could let me know for certain.
Vivian
I’ve been a vegetarian for 19 years and have taken many supplements for more years than that. I’m 57 and had my first bone scan in March. Hip score was
-1.7 (osteopenic) and spine score was -2.5 (just into the osteoporotic range). I was told I should take Fosamax, but when I read about it on the internet I knew it was not something that I was going to put in my body.
I also found out recently that I have lost 3 inches of height. I’m not sure if the loss of height is from loss of disk height or from osteoporosis. If it is from osteoporosis, is it possible to regain height as the bones improve?
Dorothy
I am just like you…same age nearly vegetarian all my life, have no risk factors, never smoked, drank, drugged, worked physically hard…and I have this horrible disease. Have you received an answer from this site yet??
I have been a vegetariun for forty years and was tested and told that my VitB12 was very low.
As I am 69 years old and active I still tested positive for osteopenia. I have upped my calcium, VitD and Magnesium and hope this helps. I do a urine test every three days and it is always good. Grapefruit for me is a no, no as it interfers with my medication, too bad as I go for another bone density test next year.
Hi Vivian,
Thanks for the info regarding red grapefruit. I wish I could eat it, but due
to taking Lipitor, I can’t.
I have a question regarding some type of vest that can be worn to improve bone
health. Can you email that information to me?
Warm regards,
Bea J Salyers
Hi,
I was under the impression that grapefruit was a no-no when you are on thyroid medicine.
True or false??
I would LOVE for you to say,false.
Keep up the good reports.
Judie
I enjoy reading all the emails from other people and learn from them too. I have not eaten any grapefruit in years. May start again. I will order your book next month and read it to learn more of the info I need to be healthy. I am taking Nikken Osteodenx for my bones now with calcium, vit D3 and magnesium.
Keep up the good work for all of us who wonder what to do after so many conflicting messages we get from doctors and the news…….Carol
I have eaten grapefruit for a long time. I will start doing it on a regular basis. My only problem, I have trouble with getting burning in my mouth and a red ring around the outer part of my mouth which itches and burns when eating too many grapefruits and other fruits like grapes, apricots, tomatoes, strawberries and raspberries. Maybe I am eating too much. What is the rule of thumb with all of this?
I have your book and am trying to follow it as closely as I can.
Thanks.
I was diagnosed with osteoporosis three months ago but have’nt started taking actonel yet. I was scared to take it because of the side effects if you take them. I was diagnosed with breast cancer two years ago (stage 2), and I’m scared of taking another drug that will keep my body from getting another disease. I thank you for letting me know about the goood effects of eating red grapefruit.
I will start eating them now.
I love those Pink grapefruits! They are so lovely and sweet. We have them cut up with some granny smith apples in the morning to have with a berry smoothie! Looks like my body knew what it needed! It’s great to hear that what I am eating is extra good for my bones.
I have severe osteoporosis and stopped taking my actonel this March. I haven’t told my doctor or my endocrinologist. I feel much better. Exercising and eating nutrient rich foods is the way to go for me. I was vegetarian but all that animal protein in the milk, cheese, and eggs have play havoc with my bones. I now consume no animal protein. I guess you call that a vegan diet.
Eat those grapefruits girls…they are yummy!!
I used to take Fosamax and Caltrate for my osteopenia. I stopped the Fosamax but I am still using the Caltrate. I have been told that Coral Calcium is better than Caltrate for the bone loss. I am also implementing your advices in my diet. Should the calcium pills be taken in the morning or at bedtime? I have heard that at bedtime it is absorbed better by the body.
Enjoyed reading all these comments. Reflects much of what I feel. I live in La Quinta, California outside of Palm Springs. This year we had a amazing crop of citrus including a variety of huge beauiful pink grapefruits. I still have several in my refrigerator. So will eat them more regualarly. One has to be one’s own health advocate. Doctors are too brainwashed in pushing medications. Good wishes to all of you.
Hello to everyone, I have just joined the club, Yesterday my Dr told me I have osteopenia, so prescibed Alendronic acid tablets. I took one today,following all the instructions. I never like taking any medication, so swallowed this one with trepidatin. Since finding this site, I have decided not to continue with them. I have not felt comfortable all day, and tonight have had indigestion, which has not bothered me recently, so it must be the tablet. My Dr did say it would take years for it to work. I am 66 years old but have never felt or looked my age. To be given the news that my bones are not good is depressing. I still work full time and intend doing so until Im 70 if allowed. I would really love to prove the Dr wrong ( although he is wonderful to all his patience )I will continue with the calcium tablets which I hope is the right thing to do, also eat my usual large amount of fruit for lunch. I have always eaten a variety of good food so where does the osteopenia come from? My mother who was 100 last November has had osteoporosis for many years. I look forward to reading more information on this site. Many Thanks
I just received info on another study that indicates the grapefruit can increase the incidence of breast cancer because it increases the estrogen level.
noticed that several people mentioned that they’re taking meds to lower cholestrol – there are definite warnings not to eat anything grapefruit with meds.
I read somewhere that citrus interferes with the Ph in your body…And that citrus leaches calcium from your bones. I was on foxomax until the pain in my leg bones and heel bones became unbearable. Then I went to actenol with the same results. My MD. prescribed boniva….no thanks. I will continue to walk and eat correctly. I also take calcium, vit d and k. I drink chlorophyll with a glass of water several times a day. No grapefruit for me.
Thanks for your insight.
MY STOMACH DOES NOT TOLERATE THE ACID IN GRAPEFRUIT,WE HAVE 3 ORANGE TREES AND I CAN ONLY EAT ONE IN A GREAT WHILE,ALERGYS..BUT I ENOY YOUR INFOR I WILL PASS IT ON TO OTHERS WITH BAD BONES.
GOD BLESS YOU FOR TRYING TO PUT THE TRUTH OUT ABOUT MEDICATIONS.MEDICATIONS ARE AWAY TO CONTROL THE HUMAN RACE AND THEIR MONEY.
I used to eat a lot of grapefruit until our newspaper warned that it could cause breast cancer so I gave up eating it. I did not go for my osteoporosis scan as the hospital postponed it saying the clinic was closed. I did not take it up again. However, I am making an excellent recovery from my hip operations and I feel a lot stronger now. I did mention to you that my friend was taken off Fosomax immediately her doctor saw your article, and her friend has recently been diagnosed with osteoporosis and her doctor said he could not offer her the treatment (presumably Fosomax) as it was under discussion at the moment.
I have been eating red grapefruits regularly, one a day in the winter, for 15 years and this has not improved my bones density results. They are one of the recommended fruits on the Atkins Diet
God Bless you Vivian, I will try ruby red in my eating dicipline eventhough I have acid reflux. A year ago I find out I have osteopenia on the righ hip, also my colesterol was on “237” I refused medication and started taking row garlic, soy lecitin 3 times daily and omega3; in one year my colesterol went down to 175. I am 64 so I also changed my eating habits and recently bough your book. I find you articles vey useful. thanks for the all tips & information.
I do appreciate all the insight, so long as we all keep plugging we can take better care of ourself. For me this is a very recent problem, I took home my script and did my homework I want to thank you for being there with me I needed that. I am also seeking information for my 18 year old neice who has osteogenisisimperfecto I could have misspelled that, she has suffered broken bones mainly the heels of her feet by age 2 . She has just started walking with a walker
after many years in a wheel chair. I would love to hear from anyone with insight on this bone breaker, that leaves me heartbroken. I thank you and all the wonderful people who reply. Love, Peace, God Bless and Be Well
My daughter and I ‘Love’ texas red grapefruits although the’re not always around. good real food is always healthy…Mari
Thanks Vivian for your articles! I love reading them and also the information from everyone who writes to you. I love red grapefruit and will be eating more. I’m having a problem cutting down on my meat. Is Ezekiel bread ok? Trying to get the diet right. Thanks again.
This is so simple, and so easy! I can certainly eat half a grapefruit a day
to strengthen my bones. This beats taking drugs! Love you for your continued
support and information. I ordered the book, and I am trying to live by it.
Hi Vivian :o)
Thank you for your interesting article.
I was told by a Kidney specialist, (while I was in hospital with Pylonephritis, now done to one kidney) that I had to stay clear of all citrus fruits, and I had to boil all veggies and pour away the water, (it’s not to be used in soups) to reduce potassium. Apart from that fact, I was also told that all citrus fruits are bad for Rheumatoid Arthritis,
We are continually hearing conflicting messages and sometimes don’t know which way to turn.
I will give the red grapefruits a try when I see them in the supermarket here and see if they cause me any pain with my R.A. if not then I will extend my experiment a little longer. I DO eat lots of tomatoes with NO ill effects, but for some reason I cannot eat the tomato puree that you can buy in tubes and which is used in pizzas.
take care and have a nice day
Marysia
I, too, had a problem with tomato puree but discovered that I can tolerate tomato sauce as long as I add a very little bit of brown sugar to the sauce.
HI Vivian, Thank you for the red grapefruit information. I take Simvastatin & told read that one should not eat grape fruit while taking this medicine. I cheat & my husband & I eata grapefruit every week. I stick by your diet in the your book. Please be assured I enjoyed all your information. Some how my last email did not reach you. I still found my name without any of the information on it. Weird. Thanks, Joan
I LOVE red grapefruit but had the same q. as someone else about not taking it with Lipitor and similar statins. I couldn’t find you answer, Vivien.
Thanks.
Yep…a link to report of a study of the connection between breast cancer risk and grapefruit…not so good an idea to eat it all the time..
https://www.everydayhealth.com/blog/zimney-health-and-medical-news-you-can-use/breast-cancer-and-grapefruit-not-always-a-good-combination/
Hi Vivian: Thanks for much for the little tidbit about the red grapefruit. I do
love it! I quit taking my Boniva the day I read your book, The Bone Health Revolution; I am exercising 3x week with a senior group; taking my calcium and Vit.D, and I feel great! Let’s hope the food I’m choosing is helping as you testify it does.
Keep up the great work for all of us.
Barbara
Hi Vivian: Thanks for much for the little tidbit about the red grapefruit. I do
love it! I quit taking my Bonita the day I read your book, The Bone Revolution;
and am exercising 3x week with a senior group; taking my calcium and Vit.D, and
I feel great! Let’s hope the food I’m choosing is helping as you testify it does.
Keep up the great work for all of us.
Barbara
I really appreciate all the help you give and I love finding your emails on my screen.
I am not surprised to learn that red grapefruit may be helpful to bone density as there has always been a view that a diet of brightly coloured fruit and
vegetables is beneficial. In fact, some authorities suggest that a kaleidascope of colour on one’s plate is the best meal to eat.
If only meat was purple and cheese was green I would be a very ”happy camper”
Kind regards
Janette
Your articles and especially the comments from folks are great and very enlightening but I’ve noticed that they come almost exclusively from women. I am a 57 year old man with severe osteoporosis and I’m sure I’m not the only one! I was on Forteo for 2 years then switched to Boniva but stopped taking Boniva a few months ago. How is a man’s situation different when it comes to osteo?
I would love to eat grapefruit, but because I have a kidney stone problem, they are not recommended. Does anyone have some other idea? I also cannot take calcium supplements because of this.
This is all well & good but my question is how much grapefruit to eat for humans?!
What happened to weight bearing exercises & dark green leafies & Vit D? Don’t
they all count also??
I’m very confused as to which calcium supplement to take – there are so many on the market. I picked up a large, glossy brochure entitled “Advances in Orthomolecular Research – Bone Health” promoting their expensive supplement. I feel very tired & heavy after taking even 1/2 the bottle & it is also constipating which is another problem I have. They also advise taking strontium which you mentioned in your book as questionable. They have a new product called “Advanced Bone Protection + Strontium”. This is not to be taken at the same time as their calcium.
Would you please investigate this product (their website is http://www.AOR.ca) & advise whether or not this is a pharmaceutical product. Also, you briefly mentioned which kind of supplement to take, but would you please elaborate a little more – I think you said a citrate but I can’t locate your words in your book right now.
I have scoliosis & am right on the borderline of having osteoporosis, so feel an urgent need to get some right info.
One more comment: it would be so helpful to have your answers to real questions right underneath the writer’s queries instead of having to read through so e-mails & then sometimes not finding your answer anyway. I don’t expect an answer to the comments that come in, but several do need an answer.
Thank you, I await your reply. Evelyn Huff
Dear Vivian. I am an older man who doesnt have any back trouble. I read your websit so I can be helpful to my friends who have to much faigh in Drs. and are to lazy to serf the wed. I enjoy reading your writeing.
Thank you for all your interesting e-mails. There are so many different things we’re supposed to do to ward off osteoporosis that I find it confusing. I don’t like grapefruit as I find it too bitter, so will probably not try this latest idea. I eat lots of oranges and other fruits though. May now try magnesium as a result of reading your articles. I’m on Protelos from my GP for osteoporosis, but find I feel tired nearly all the time I’m using this drug, or is it just a coincidence?
Are saying I should stop FOSAMAX and eat grapefruits? Thanks for the info. Dee
I appreciate your website, your comments and answers to people’s replies. Thank you. In lieu of the cancer connection and other possibilities, my decision is to eat ruby red grapefruit n moderation….and I’d also like to know the answer to Vivian Hackett’s question whether you have copies of your book in libraries.
Thanks again.
Wow! This is great news. I love red grapefruit anyway so I’ll start eating more. I think there is another reason (red) grapefruit is good for bones: it is very alkalinizing. At least that’s what my dad taught me about 20 years ago. He ate half a grapefruit at bedtime. Since grapefruit can be rather pricey in the off season where I live, I’m hoping that (red) grapefruit juice with the pulp (unfortunately pasteurized) will still be of some benefit in this regard. I’m off to eat a red grapefruit for breakfast – still have one left.
Great news for me, as I love grapefruit. I used have have a lovely citrus fruit salad with a variety of different citruses including grapefruit, with a bit of honey and cinnamon on top. Until somebody told me I shouldn’t be eating what they describved as “acid” foods. However I’ve since lerned that they don’t produce acid in the body. Now I’ll go back to eating a lot of it. Fortunately I’m able to manage the health problems I have with “alternative” remedies. When my GP prescribed some drugs for my osteoporosis (diagnosed in 2007)I read the leaflet and found that among the side effects listed were symptoms that I already have too many of when my irritable bowel flares up. So I took the drugs back to the pharmacy. I’ve now purchased Vivian’s book. Although it’s not very easy to stick to, especially the cut down coffee bit, it’s worth it and my spine even seems straighter since I’ve been trying it.
Interesting; what is it in grapefruit that is so helpful in rats? Are they planning to check this out on people?
Will now add grapefruit to my daily regimen Loved the advice in your book.
My bones are still in good shape at aged 75 and I hope to stay that way. I do have a daily yogurt with my cereal and fruit though, and some times a glass of warm milk at night.
I believe in moderation in all that we consume.
I love grapefruit but I take a statin drug and can’t eat grapefruit. It does something to the liver. I do eat oranges all the time. I have been on the alkaline diet for about 3 weeks and my aches and pains are much less. Is this a wonderful side effect?
Glad to hear this about grapefruit. I eat a lot of red grapefruit – peel and cut up one grapefruit with two oranges, add a tad of raw honey and this will last me for several days. I add a half of banana to a bowl of this when I serve up my breakfast. Makes for an easy and tasteful breakfast. Am in process of reading your book and planning to try to eat as listed, though I know it’s going to be really hard to not have my milk, which I have loved all my many years. But I sure don’t want anymore compression fractures (7th thoracic) as I had last July so it’s sure worth working to overcome my “addiction” to milk. Thanks much for all your good information. God bless you.