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.
I was surprised to learn that grapefruit helps bone density. I can’t take much of it because I am prone to reactive hypoglycemia and have to watch my sugar intake, but will add it to my regimen as I can, at least sometimes. Thanks for all your interesting info.
Vivian,
I’ve read that osteoporotic women should only consume 1-2 servings of fruit a day as the sugar content is bad for bone health; is this true?
A few days ago you listed 7 things to do and I do them all before you sent them. Grapefruit grow here in the Valley of the Sun in Arizona, however while on the tree they are yellow.
Vivian, thank you! I have read your material and started on the minerals etc that you suggusted. I also purchased the adjustable weights however I am not sure that I am using them correctly and getting the right effect needed on the wrists mainly because they are big on the wrist. They work well for the ankles. Will being big on the wrist make a difference? Also I take Oral Chelation tablets and have for several years do you know of any reason they might harm my bones and cause bone loss? Thanks will await your answer
I will also start the grapefruit…..
If someone used Chelation therapy it must take later on a wide variety of mineral and vitamin supplements (chelation remove also good minerals). The best way to find out what we are lacking is to do hair analysis.
Many thanks I love gratefruit. Are Kiwi and Apple as good??
Hi Vivian,
I used too love all fruits. Now a days unfortuntley I cannot eat any more of our beautiful ftuits, the reason is I can’t swallow meaning I’m N.B.M. or Nil By Mouth. I am fed through a tube in my stomach.
As well as all of the drugs I have too take too keep away any of those nasty blood clots. If I did have a blood clot it could kill me.
All because of having a T.I.A. & Two Strokes.
Who ever any good people, please understand the talks Vivian speaks about because the lady knows what she is talking about.
Thank You for listening too me.
Vivian, I read all your emails, greatly appreciated. I am taking Benicar (high blood pressure medicine). I read where you should not eat grapefruit if you are on blood pressure medicine, is this true. I was on Forteo for two years, I do not see any difference since I have stopped (you can only be on Forteo for two years). I will be ordering your book soon. Thanks for the emails, they are very helpful. God bless.
I WOULD LOVE TO EAT PINK GRAPEFRUIT, BUT HAVE BE TOLD TO AVOID IT BECAUSE I TAKE BENICAR FOR HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE. IS THERE ANY OTHER HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE MEDICATION THAT CAN BE TAKEN AND STILL EAT GRAPEFRUIT?
I am so glad the answer was NOT Mangos . . .
Grapefruit is much better . . .
Thanks again for your wonderful updates and
for caring for our bones.
Love hearing from you,
Ruthi
This is great for some, however I had a liver transplant last Sept 30th and I am forbidden to have grapefruit due to taking cellcept and prograph. The new liver removes all the necessary minerals I need causing this case of high risk osteperosis. I am now taking Forteo which seems to be helping the bone density. Have a nice day.
Just another bit of evidence that mother nature has the best medicine. I feel sorry for the rats, but thanks fellas.
John
This I have to try as I already mentioned to family physian about about going to natural foods instead of perscribed medication.
thanks so much and after specialist put me on a natural medication Vivian caled cal mag my t scores from what I can tell got better.
I have to take 4 big pills a day then I take a break or a week.
Lindsay
Hello,
I also am very interested in natural remedies for osteoporosis and will definitely eat more red grapefruits. I also might look into the natural remedy called cal mag t scores from Lindsay Rennie’s comments. The more natural remedies I read about, the more interested I get and find it to be encouraging. Thank you so much for all the help.
Rachel
Looks very promising, but I understand that grapefruit consumption can interfere with the absorption of other nutrients
I love grapefruit, but here’s my problem: In addition to osteoporosis, I have Interstitial Cystitis, and citrus fruits are supposed to be a no-no because they irritate the bladder. Does the product “Prelief” offer sufficient protection to allow to continue eating grapefruit?
Hi Vivian,
I purchased your book several months ago and have lent it to several of my friends who are in the same situation as myself having osteoporais. I was on actonel for 4 years and went off of this horrific medication which gave me so many side effects. My bone density scores for the 1st and 2nd years were severe osteoporais in both hips and osteopenia in the spine. I had pain everyday. I am a avid exerciser and I eat very healthy, I could not believe the results of my 3rd and 4th year. My bone density results were great the 3rd year only osteopenia in all areas and I really thought the actonel was doing its job. I then took my bone density test for this year and couldn’t believe what I was reading, I was right back to my 1st years results again. I was devastated, ospeoporais severe in both hips and still osteopenia in the spine. I then took control of my bones and read your book, went off of the medication and are managing great. I have not had one pain in either areas. I eat a acidic and alcaline balance of foods and still faithfully workout 5 days a week, I do upper body 1 day and lower body the next. I also do weightbearing excercises with 8 pound weights to just tone myself. I just want to thank you for opening up my eyes to all these horrible medications that doctors are so freely giving out. I am 60 years old and plan on being around a whole lot longer because of your information that you were willing to share with us. Thanks again Trish
i was interested in your comments as i have found myself in the same situation, because of actonel the dentists would not extract my tooth because of a side effect from actonel, causing jaw loss. what diet are you on. thank you mary
i was so “glad” to see your message. my story is just about exactly likes yours!!! only i was taking fosomax………….good results for couple of years, then bango!! severe osteoporosis i hip. i cant beleive my doctor (whom i love) didnt tell me to stop taking drug. anyway, i then moved to virginia and have an appt with another female doctor. i plan on telling her (after showing my test results) that i refuse to take drugs. i too have been taking vivian’s advise…………..taking all the right vitamins, doing weight bearing, walking jogging more. i am 58 years old and know my results will be better next time. thanks for your welcomed story!!
sheri
Vivian: I sent two comments in the beginning of the week, they don’t seem to show in your list. I stated that I only ordered the book and kept up with your e-mails for my wife’s sake. Her bone loss is being blamed on the pills which she no longer takes. Please
address your correspondence to her in the future-ie- Joanne Mez.
I’m sure she will read and benefit from the notes as long she does’nt get bombarded by them. Only then will I put you in the
contact list.
Thanks
Roland
Hi Vivian, I have been taking a statin for several years. The pharmasist told me that you can eat grapefruit as long as it was 6 hours after taking the statin. Is this true? My oncologist has me on Fosamax and Arimidex. I am very concerned because of what you are telling me about Foxamax. The Arimidex kills the estrogen. Does grapefruit interfere with estrogen?
We are in similar situation, only I changed into ACTONEL but stopped for I am worried about their side effects. I love grapefruit but stopped eating them due to my simvastatin prescription. I am planning to stop my arimidex but my Oncologist told me that my cancer might come back so, I am having second thoughts about stopping all my medications. All my medications have side effects pertaining my boneloss.I am confused.
Thanks for the information regarding castrated rats, bone loss and diet containing 10% grapefruit pulp. Could you give any advice concerning grapefruit consumption for a human male who has low bone density? Would grapefruit only be effective if the low bone density was an effect of low testosterone? I’ve read a warning that people on statins should not eat grapefruit but fortunately I’m not one of those.
I have just read down the page of comments and noticed a reference to a weight vest. Can someone post where I can find out about this. Thanks ever so much.
Thank you so much for your web-site, which I stumbled across, at age 63. I am so happy to read your comments on red grapefruit and have always felt that the body knows what it needs (even if we don’t). On a recent trip to Florida, I had occasion to eat grapefruit picked fresh off the tree in the backyard of a friend. Oh my gosh, it seemed I could not get enough. It felt as if my body was craving it and given a choice, even now, I would say grapefruit would be my fruit of choice. About 8 years ago, I had a bone scan, and was given a reading of -2.5 (back) and osteopenia (hip). My last scan, about 4 yeas ago (different machine) registered -4.4 (back). It was advised that I begin taking drugs to build bone. I have allergies to several antibiotics and this has lead me to avoid all prescription drugs (absolute life emergenciesexcluded). My answer was no thank you. I walk straight, have no pain, have never drank milk. 25 and 20 years ago I did break a knee (accident) and my back (accident). As a result I did become a little less active, however in recent years I have fallen down a set of stairs (tripped over cat), and have found myself twisting ankles on broken pavement, more than once. Thankfully, nothing has broken. And now reading through your web-site I must put it down to bone flexibility. Because, according to test results I AM a walking broken bone. I realize my bones may be quite porous and happy to read of a natural way to rebuild. I come from a line of women, who lived to be 90 & 100 years old and although fragile in later life, all walked upright until the end. And by the way, none of them drank milk either. Thank you again – I will call you my lifestyle saviour!
Hi,Vivian!
I purchased your book a couple of months ago, read it quickly, then lent it to a friend. Since the first reading I’ve been endeavoring to follow your suggestions, advice, etc. I am going through the book more slowly in order to reap the benefits more fully. I continue to watch my diet, attend an exercise class twice a week (this will increase to 4-5 weekly) soon, and avoid too much stress, etc.
For several years, I enjoyed half a grapefruit every morning. Then I was placed on lipitor, now changed to lovastatin, and as many have already mentioned, it is supposed to be contraindicated to cholesterol-lowering drugs.
I am due for my annual physical next month, and I am hoping my primary physician will agree to take me off lovastatin. (The last time my cholesterol level was checked, it was 175.) If she does, I’d love to start eating red grapefruit again. In the meantime, I’ll have some prunes, although I don’t know how 10 a day will affect my daily bm.
When I go for my physical, I know my doctor will put me on Evista again. (I discontinued this medication a month after taking it, due to
some side effects on my bladder.) Any suggestions on how I may negotiate this with my doctor?
I am 76 yers old, I feel fine – no pain, I am involved in church, I have friends, although I am relatively new to my community, I do my best to take care of myself, take my multi-vitamins, Omega 3, calcium, and other supplements. I have a son and family in the same city.
I am a uterine, ovarian, and cervical cancer survivor. For this I praise God and am very, very grateful for a new lease on life.
This is my first email to you, but I’ve been reading your messages. I greatly appreciate the info you have been sharing. As much as possible I’d like to avoid taking any more drugs.
Keep up the good work! Many thanks again.
That is great news. I love grapefruits but how many of them do I
have to eat a day? Also, in the summertime, they are not in season and pretty hard to get tasty ones.
Thanks for the info.
Glad to see grapefruit on the good list because i now like my grapefruit straight. juiced or cut section and eat. good stuff. use to eat with sugar on but just decided to give it a long time ago and tast better as it is as with all the fruit.
thanks for the news the cream of broccoli soup was my favorite recipe and the carrot ginger is in the working.
I have been told one should not eat grapefruit when taking certain mecicines. Is this true and which medicines would that be.
VIVIAN
IN SOUTH AUSTRALIA ONE RARELY SEES PINK GRAPEFRUIT.
HAS THE YELLOW SKIN GRAPEFRUIT (WHITE FLESH) THE SAME
RESULTS ?
love grapefruit but cannot take it because of other medication
I saw a big report on prunes having the same afect on bones. Ten a day is what they recommended. Maybe you could take prunes with your meds. I hate prunes. I think I will chop them into pill size and swallow.
I’m not a rat & I don’t want to be castrated. Where’s the human studies?
I feel your pain Matt. I feel like a rat myself. Obviously no one knows for sure what do to for us. I have yet to see actual people with before and after scores of improvement. I wont do meds so grapefruit and prunes here I come….
Hi Vivian I love your E-mails! I look forward to them everytime I check my mail. Please keep them coming. Thank you for your info on grapefruit and I also appreciate the different opinions of all those who E-mail you. I’ve noticed the comments from women who have followed the info in your book and the results have all been positive. I will definitely be ordering your book. Thanks again, Gerri
Hi Vivian,
Thanks for info, will check out to do with meds, on thyroxine, and still the dreaded Actonel., I do believe all you have said and will get your book soon. Thanks for all info coming. It is much appreciated.
Hi Vivian,
Many thanks for caring.
I am already on red grapefruit, I love them. Did not know they may clash with some medication, I will have to check on that.
Very interesting riddle. I would never have throught of red grapefruit and like Vivian says “grapefruit and or it’s juice: cross reacts with some medication.
Wow – that’s something I CAN do something about. How interesting! However, how can we know if it has the same effect on humans? I know it reacts with certain blood pressure medications but I would like to know which other drugs it reacts with.
I have eaten grapefruit for a very long time but when I had my last bone density test done which was in May of this year, I had actually lost compared to last year. Not sure what else I should be taking to prevent further loss.
VERY INTERESTING BUT WE ARE NOT RATS. HAS IT WORKED WITH HUMANS? ALSO CERTAIN MEDS. AND GRAPEFRUIT CONFLICT.
VIVIAN
I will start eating more red grapefruit! Thank you for the information!
Just remember this is just a 60-study of 56 rats…hardly conclusive and not done on clinical trial for humans. For most people, eating grapefruit will not hurt and fruit is generally good for nutrition, but I wouldn’t yet jump to conclusions that eating red grapefruit will help improve bone density in human beings.
Sounds like a wonderful idea but i am not suppoused to eat grapefruit with the blood pressure meds i am taking.
Grapefruit also has an alkaline effect on bones and tissues, as do other citrus fruits. Also the beef eaten from castrated male cattle must not be as healthy for us, from what this study on rats shows.
I love grapefruit but I’m taking cholesterol lowering drugs so what is the solution to this dilema?
I am taking Lipitor and am not supposed to eat grapefruit either. So what’s the solution?
The solution is – don’t take Lipitor. It has many side effects. Check out Colin Carmichael’s website.
Margaret
What to do? Grapefruit tree full of grapefruits ripening and put back on statins again. Afraid to take doctor prescribed pills for bone loss.
How much exercise is right? How often? Am going to Pilates on reformer machine twice a week. Believe that qualifies as weight bearing.
What else can I do to rebuild/strengthen hip bones and in what length of time?
There does not seem much definite help out there to help us. Am 67 at this time.
can i just drink the red grapefruit juice and it would have the same effect, i don’t like grapefruit for they are to tart.
Luckily I’m very fond of grapefruit. Is any benefit derived from yellow and pink grapefruit, or does it have to be red?
I like grapefruit and it is already a part of my diet.
After reading your book, and doing some research about the side effects of the drugs, I told my Dr. NO, I would not take them. Did more research and have been following a strong diet as you suggest in the back of your book. Got PH paper & test my urine each morning. I do not care for grapefruit, so I’ll skip that suggestion, however, I have shared your information with many ladies (I’m a massage therapist) and they too, have gotten your book. Most of they have stopped taking the “drugs”. I’m 68, still working, do not take any medication and feel blessed. Thanks so much for your news letters and encouragement. Blessings to you, Vivian.
I have been starting my day for twenty-five plus years with one half of red grapefruit. There was a time when I was on the grapefruit diet and ate one half before each meal. My mother told me red grapefruit had complexion benefits too. I love red grapefruit!
Hi Vivian – Wqs glad to read this on the grapefruit. However, I did glean information from your “Bone Revolution” book. Am so glad I found your website. Am 75 yrs. old and was diagnosed with Osteoporosis (T -3) Was started on Fosamax -D, took for a little over 1 yr. and had to get off – many problems. Since then, was prodded to take something else. Told Dr. “no” because they all had the same ingredient. Then, came for necessity for a 1 yr. shot – Reclast – I still refused. Have had 2 Bmd tests since 2005 – last one in 2007 (and due for another – insurance covers only every 2 yrs.).
I only received your book in April, 2009 – and have wanted to give the information a chance to work in my body. Understand that it takes a while to get the Fosamax out of the system, etc. and the other to begin working. (However, I might mention that the 2nd BMD in 2007, showed a T -2.9 in an area or two. That was some
encouragement to me.
Thanks for all you do for people such as myself. (I am still working every day – 40 hr. week – in Accouts Payable and love it.) Have so much I would like to tell you – but this is too short of space (and time – for right now, too.)
Thanks again. I appreciate any and all information you send. I read
and re-read each one.
Sincerely,
Jeannean
I cannot eat grapefruit, really upsets my stomach, but can’t take
it anyway, due to cardiac drugs I am on..but thanks for the suggestions Vivian, always glad to get your opinion on what
may help:)
I’ve heard that grapefruit should not be eaten if you have high blood pressure. Is that correct?
I’m currently taking Actonel and Hyzaar for high blood pressure, but would prefer to stop taking the Actonel and use something more natural.
I recently read your article on grapefruit being good for Osteoporosis. I am currently taking Hyzaar for high
blood pressure, and Actonel for my bones.
I’ve been told that if you have high blood pressure that grapefruit is one fruit you should not eat.
Is this correct?
If you have high blood pressure and are taking certain medications for it then no, you should not have grapefruit as it has an undesired effect on your heart rate.
Timing is incredible! I just had a red grapefruit for lunch and it was delicious! Did not know that that was a good bone health suggestion.
I have 3 grapefruit trees on my property – red and pink. Don’t they interfer with the medication Crestor, which I take for high cholestrol? I only have to take 2 pills per week. Can I eat the grapefruit on the days that I do not take the Crestor?
I’m headed to the grocer for some red grape fruit right now!
Hey this is great news, and I do enjoy grapefruit. I like it broiled with a bit of brown sugar. Hope the heat doesn’t destroy the benifits.
Glo
i will agree that the osteoporis medications are not good for you. i was on Forteo shots for about 5-6 months starting in 2006 . i didn’t feel good so I stopped them. i am not saying they caused my fractures but to date since 2006 i have had 12 compressed fractures . i had kyphoplasty and vertebroplasty procedures. I did not fall . i would just wake up with a fractures and at times 2. in 2007 I was bedridden. i had a nurse and a PT. When a doctor was checking my blood .I had no vitamin D . my vitamin C was fine. Where did the D go ? Women make sure you have enough Vitamin D . I take 2000 units daily .I still have pain and on pain medication but i am walking and have had no more fractures since April of 2007.
God Bless
Ican not eat grapefruit because of having acid reflux
rosemary
Try not eating breads and see if your acid reflux doesn’t improve. Mine did.