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.
Well, as a Heart transplant patient over 19 years now. Grapfruit is on a list of do not eat as it erodes the Cyclosprine that I must take to prevent rejection.
I do enjoy your e-mails and have the book and have learned a lot and I agree the medical profession and bone density tests are flawed.
Keep up the good work!!
Tom
I am a new reader and I don’t know how you found me but I am glad you did. I have stopped taking the Alendronate Sodium tabs.
THAT’S GREAT TO HEAR, I’LL PASS IT ON TO THOSE I LOVE WHO HAS BONE LOSS. THANKS FOR THE INFO, KEEP UP THE GREAT WORK. I KNOW I CAN SAY THIS FOR EVERYONE, IT’S FOLKS LIKE YOURSELF THAT USES GOD’S GIFT TO BENNIFIT OTHERS.
Hello Vivian,
Thanks for the info. about grapefruit, It’s
wonderful fruit,i will eat more of.
Thanks again.
Dear Vivian, I grew up in Florida and we had several fruit trees in our own back yard–including grapefruit, oranges, bananas, avocados, Pomegranate, cumquats, guavas and a small plant with berries about the size of a grape that my Grandmother called a Florida cherry. It was sour and I couldn’t stand it–also I’ve never seen another bush like it anywhere–even other places in Florida though I’m sure there must have been some somewhere. I have always been a big fruit eater and have no question but what they are very good for you and we eat them a lot.
However (maybe I’m not very bright,) but somehow I fail to see the relationship between a castrated male rat and an uncastrated male (or female) human being. Rats and humans are totally different species with totally different food needs and I have a hard time seeing how what happens to one species–esp. when they are so different–can be said to apply 100% to an entirely different one. (And would someone please explain to me why it is necessary to castrate them in the first place?)
Now I’m not a scientist and I’m not criticizing them but there are times when I have a hard time following their reasoning–and I also feel sorry for the rats! It seems to me that conducting dietary studies such as this would be more meaningful if run on human beings who will actually be eating grapefruit after all (without castrating them, please!)
And I never heard of a ruby red grapefruit ’till I was grown and married and had moved far away from Flordia (to California, no less!) I like them very much but what about a plain old garden variety grapefruit? Aren’t they pretty healthy also?
(I know this isn’t the kind of comments you intended folks to give but I just couldn’t resist sending it.)
Some of the rats were castrated to mimic the loss of hormone that is common in older human males. This changes the body’s ability to create and utilize various hormones to keep it in the balance commonly found in a younger “whole“ male.
This is also helpful for men that have been through prostrate cancer, and survived, but have had to have their testicles removed to keep the cancer “starved” of the hormones that would feed it and allow it to grow again. Osteoporosis is often the result of cancer therapies, both in men and women.
Men also get osteoporosis as a matter of course due to aging; it just hasn’t become the “Cash Cow” yet that osteoporosis after menopause is. Consequently there are very few studies done on men.
Thank you Lydian B for youe fantastic comments and yes you are the brightest! You are the only one who has noticed and questioned the use of rats to prove something in humans. This is what a true scientist does, questions things. No one else seems to have done this. I agree lets test out our theories on humans, us, then we can get accurate results.
Before i read this article i didn’t know grapefruit slows down bone loss. It’s great news for me.
Thank You.
Hi, good report but “grapefruit” not too well taken with high blood medication and certain
type of meds. also.
IV’E READ ALOT OF YOUR MATERIAL I WAS SUPPOSED TO START FORTEO SHOTS FOR OSTEO BUT I SAID THERE HAD TO BE A BETTER WAY. I WAS ON FOSAMAX MENY YEARS AND AFTER A COUPLE OF WEEKS I HAD NOSE BLEEDS AND REFLUX WAS SO BAD I STOPPED IT. SO I HAVE NEVER TAKEN ANY MORE OF THIS JUNK INCLUDING CALICUIM I CANT TOLARATE THEM. BUT I HAVE HYPERGLOSEMIA AND HOSHIMOTOS DIEASE AND HAVE BEEN ON NATURE THYROID 2 GRAINS FOR MENY YEARS IF MY TH SCORE IS TO HIGH AND WE LOWER THE DOSE I GET FAST HEART RYTHEM SO I HAVE TO GO BACK TO THE 2 GR. THATS WHATS GOOD FOR ME. HAS THIS FROM WHAT I READ HELPED THE OSTEO GET AS BAD. BUT THE TEST SHOWS I’M NOT LOOSING IT SEEMS MY BONES THE DR. SAYS HAS NOT GOTTEN WORSE SO WHAT DO YOU THINK .I PLAY GOLF AND WALK A LOT FOR EXCER.GO IN THE POOL. I EAT A VERY BAL. DIET. I’M ITALIAN SO I EAT WELL. I’M 78 AND THE DR. SAYS I DONT LOOK IT BODY WISE. BUT I AGREE NO DRUG CAN HELP I’M ALWAYS AFRAID OF ALL THESE DRUGS.
What about the concern that grapefruit often interferes with the absorption of some medications?
I’ve been told this too….Just wonder
For those of us on Thyroid medication, it is important to be extra careful about eating grapefruit. I love it, but eat it only sparingly
Well, does graperfruit interfere with Synthroid? Or is it just you should not take it at the same time as you eat grapefruit?
i just now realized i have to vote on something to get a reply ….. grapefruit (to improve my bones)? or … tegretol (to hopefully keeptrigeminal neuralgia at bay)? and …. lipitor (to lower high cholesterol)? …. choices seem limited
I am one of 7 children raised on a farm in Ohio
Our parents raised most of our food, vegies,berries,apples,cherries,Plus had a dairy
herd & drank raw milk,farm grass raised hens for eggs & meat. We were organic before it was
a popular way to eat. My problem began when our boat hit a big wave & I was tossed high & sit down hard. I had 4 herniated discs & was in the hospital 4 days & theropy sev. wks.
this occured 2005.I had a crushed vertebrae in 2009 & had kyphoplasty (cement injected in vertebra), after lifting a bucket of oranges.
I quit estrogen,I always drank a lot of milk.My bone density test was normal in 2005.
I have Vivian’s book & am using bioidentical hormones,no cow milk just yogurt,&soy milk,&
am following her advice & calcium test is normal after having 2 more vertebraes filled in
Jan & Feb. 2010 after lifting a grocery cart
over a burm,etc. I stopped lifting & realize I
have osteoporosis. I also may be gluten intoler
ant & am on that diet of know whole grains except corn & rice. Only use corn or rice flour
to cook with & am feeling stronger every day but still have back pain after kyphoplasty oper
ations. Am thankful to Vivian I never took the
prescription drugs to build bone which later be
comes brittle & deteriorates jawbones etc.as side effects. I am 71 yrs. old & trimmed our
hedges until the boat accident. I am following
Vivian’s advice hope to be back to normal with
time, & my husband & I can do some kayaking etc.with our boat club here in Spring Hill.
Yours truly, Earla Jean M.
I’m so happy to read this! I love red grapefruit, but was unable to have it with my cholesterol medication. I’ve been eating healthy and stopped taking 80 mg. Zocor (simvastatin is the generic) Now I can have grapefruit once again! It’s on my grocery list!!
I think your cholesterol medication is not to be taken within 2 hours of eating grapefruit. Grapefruit is a food, not a medication.
Thank You, I will try it.
Hi Vivian,
I have purchased and began utilizing your program. I read the article about grapefruit today and must say I LOVE GRAPEFRUIT, however, I have been told not to eat it or drink the juice as it counter acts my Lovastatin medication. I hope that in time my diet changes (PH level alkaline balance) will lower my cholesterol enough to stop this medicine and several others (one of which I have not picked up prescription of: Fosamax). Thanks for allowing me to be informed in my health decisions!
I WAS GLAD TO HEAR ABOUT GRAPEFRUIT BECAUSE I HAVE TWO TREES.
NOW I WILL ENJOY THEM MUCH MORE.
THANK YOU FOR THE INFO.
My doctor prescribed progesterone & estrogen, one of each pill every day for osteoporosis, she said that this will increase my bone density. I am 60 years old. Please give me your opinion on this.
Thanks
Gina
I went off these since I had elevated liver enzymes. The liver enzymes returned to normal in 5 weeks. Be careful!
I had taken acai pills and had gotten a severe rash. What is Monavi Drink?
Do you think reclast is something to look into?
I stopped taking Mycalcin after 4 years due to the side affects. I do feel much better and have fewer nose bleeds.
Thanks for the update on grapefruit. I used to eat greapfrut every day but somehow I just got out of the habit. What red grepefruit. Why not the regular grapefruit.
Please Send me your book about bone health.
Simivastatin totally restricts grapefruit due to an overreation of the drug! I have been craving it and eating 1/2 grapefruit in the morning anyway. Simivastin, I take it at night, hoping it already disapated from my body, therefore making it safe. Comments regarding this?
I am currently taking several medications for other medical conditions – including a statin called atorvastatin. I have been told not to eat grapefruit – the only medicine I have agreed to take for osteoporosis is ADCAL (calcium + vitamin D3).
However, I am also taking a homeopathic remedy to aid absorption of calcium – as I was losing calcium in the urine, and had a large amount in the blood, I suspect that the latter is contributing to what appears to be an increase in bone strength.
I was given the diagnosis 7 months ago, following a hip fracture.
Best wishes J. Roberts
Keren,
See my answer to Ruth below.
Dear Vivian thank you for all that information.they are very helpfull
Hi Vivian, had you hear about acai blend juices? If so, do you think is a good source of all vitamins and antioxidants that my body needs? I stopped taking foxamax, and I am drinking MONAVI, a blendded ofn 19 different juices, and want to be sure they are doing good to my bones and health. Can you gine me your opinion?
I received your book and ever since I read it I have bee eating half a grapefruit every day. Is that enough or do I have to eat a whole grapefruit every day? thank you
some medication says no grapefruit…..
I would love to have red grape fruit sent to me for the experiment but I don’t like to be compared to rats.
Thank you for helping I take Phyto Therapy Liquid Calcium and bought Strontium to take also BUT it says do not take the Strontium at the same time as the Calcium as these 2 products might compete with each other. Can you explain why your vitamins have both in the same capsule?
unless I am mistaken. Thanks so much
fmcc
Hi, I called and orderd the Save Our Bones program and am wondering if you can give me the status of the order, I printed out the e-mail information. Am very excited to do the program. The list of foods are very enlightening. I’m passing this wonderful info. onto many friends. Thanks for your help. Shirley
Of course the study was done on male rats (I’m sure the castration had something to do with that) but do we even know if that translate to something for 1) humans and 2) female humans. Interesting though.
Count me in(for purchasing grapefruits). Took Actonel for (3) months last year. Bad Mistake! Also, saw the segment on Good Morning America(and other news media) about the breakages that are happening with Fosomax. Thanks Vivian for looking out for us.
I have been to florida and thought that the grapefruit would look green then yellow the inside is red. So that throw me abit not remembering seeing red hanging from the trees–but could be wrong. I just happen to have a red grapefruit so will have one now, thanks for the tip. I have been taking just the ca and vit d for my bones plus a somewhat healthy diet. How detrimental is caffeine on the bones as I like coffee, tea and hot chocolate but do everything in moderation 2cups of coffee two-three tea and 1 hot chocolate 2-3 three times a week. I have milk and juice also in the mix. Have a nice day L
Hi Vivian,
Thank you for the info. Certainly love and eat the red grapefruit but I do hope the potency remains as they have to be transported down here from the US. All your info is greatly appreciated.
I can’t eat grapefruit because I take Lipitor
It’s the only medecine I take now as I refuse to take the medication for canal stenoises/osteoarthritis and osteoporisis. I am taking gel supplements and have started the balance exerecises.
now I know why I’lve been craving grapefruit lately. thank you for sharing
Waiting to hear what to do re unable to eat grapefruit
Interesting article – Thank you Vivian!
Brenda Good
I too cannot have grapefruit and I also cannot have Vitamin K because I have Atrial Fibilation. The tomatoes sounds good and I love them. If you can come up with anything else that I can have, I would be very grateful. Thank you for sharing al your hard work.
Dear Vivian, red grapefruits are one of my favorite treats. However, there is a conflict with eating grapefuits and taking medication for high blood pressure. Even though I take a minimal dosis I should consult my cardiologist. I’d love the eat them once in a while. By the way I stopped taking the Fosamax 2 weeks ago and I feel liberated.
Martha
Alas, can,t eat grapefruit because I take mediction for high blood pressure.
I enjoy grapefruits occasionally Diagnosed with Osteopenia and subscribed Actonel last month. Since auto accident left me with back and leg issues, causing pain and stiffness which was severely enhanced by Actonel. Given Boniva but I have not had the nerve to take it. I am encouraged by your approach and will see how it looks after one year. Thank you. Wanda Vivian Longshore.
Sounds easy enough to do,
While I enjoy red grapefruit, I cannot eat it because I take a statin drug for high cholestrol. Have you any suggestions?
The bone-healthy ingredient in pink grapefruit is the antioxidant lycopene, so you can eat tomatoes, guava, watermelon and apricots instead.
I read on the web that prunes(dried plums) can significantly increase bone density.
Has anyone any information about this?
Indeed, studies show that the bone-healthy polyphenols in prunes help build bone density. Interestingly, researches chose to study afruit that is acidifying (one of the few, besides blueberries). Most fruits have healthy polyphenols, so you don’t have to eat prunes to help you increase your bone density.
Very interesting. Wish I could partake, since I adore red grapefruit, and would enjoy it tremendously. However, due to needing to take metoprolol daily, I have been advised by my physician not to partake of grapfruit, as it is supposed to render the metoprolol inactive in the human body – got any ideas regarding this theory? Barb
I knew there was a good reason for liking grapefruit.
A question for you. I have back problems that eliminate by impact exercises as walking on hard surfaces. But I do water walk. Will I get the same benefits from the same distance or do i need to walk further. Same with other exercises as the heel video. Thanks Jan
I’ve been eating organic ruby red grapefruit from my tree here in Florida for a few years now. Happy to hear this news; also knowing about the grapefruit’s alkalizing effect is a big plus.
Thank you for your input into my dilemna. My doctor wants to put me on Boniva. I have a diversion to taking medicine. So, I am happy to hear about your comments. I always thought cheese and milk products would be my best source of calcium.
My problem is I smoke and I know that is bad for me. I still don’t believe that is what causes osteopina.
Otherwise, I feel fine.
Thanks for your comments.
Gladys
Grapefruit. I have 1/2 every night. I love it!!
Dear Vivian: I wonder about eating grapefruit when I recently read it raises one’s blood pressure. It that true? Also, I do have osteopor. and taking 5+mg coumadin and Plavix 75mg. daily due to a low INR of only 1.0 and was told NOT to take any vitamin K and eat very few greens. (I have had 2 sub-acute brain strokes and many TIA’s and have high blood pressure and must take Diovan 320 mg. I do take calcium with magnes. and Vit D. Have any suggestions? I do avoid milk. Thanks,Sherrie Rogers
I stopped to take every pharma drug even I got high blood pressure (they gave me only side effects and no cure for HBP).
I started to use USA instrument called ZONA- Plus and high blood pressure is OK.
I eat every fruit and vegie in moderation as all of them have healings effects.
I read in highly scientific book that our body is the best chemical factory. The best way to get available calcium is…taking silica supplements (body is converting it into calcium if needed and we do not have unwanted calcium deposits). We have in Australia colloidal silica, but other silica tablets are Ok. Also horsetail (herb) can do!
although i love grapfruit, there are many
medications that cannot be taken with medications. so it is important to check
with your pharmacy when receiving your medications.
I take thyroid replacement so can’t eat grapefruit although I know it is good for many of my needs including weight loss,any suggestions?
I AM 78 YEARS (YOUNG) I HAD MY THYROID REMOVED 23 YEARS AGO AND IWENT ON FOSAMAX FOR ABOUT 20 YEARS AND I STOPPED TAKING IT BECAUSE I WAS GETTING HEARTBURN AND PAIN I SAW MY ENDOCRONOLIGIST AND HE SAID I DID THE RIGHT THING BUT MY BONE DENSITY IS BAD AND HE WOULD LIKE ME TO GO ON RECLAST TO ME THEY ARE ALL THE SAME AND I DON’T WANT TO GO THAT ROUTE I HAE BEEN WORKING OUT FOR OVER 25 YRS PLUS WALKING MOST OF MY LIFE MY MOM’S SISTERS 8 MOST HAD OSTO. MY GRANDMOTHER AS WELL I WOULD LIKE TO STAY ON A PROGRAM THAT’S HEALTHY AND PRODUCTIVE IAM JUST LEARING TO OPERATE THE COMPUTER SO PLEASE FORGIVE THE WAY THIS WAS WRITTEN THANK YOU VIVIAN FOR YOUR INTERST ESTELLE
Very interesting. I don’t particulary like grapefruit, but I will add it to my morning smoothy. Thank you for the information.
This report makes sense because grapefruit is known to assist in providing the proper pH of our digestive system – a pH that allows nutrients to be absorbed from our food and supplements and put to their intended service, e.g. osteoblast activity in our bones. Keep track of your pH with simple test strips of your saliva. We should not be fooled however, that an amount of grapefruit or otherwise recommended foods can overcome poor eating or drinking (soda, diet soda, coffee, etc) habits that make our digestive system overly acidic. Unrefined apple cider vinegar (2 tsp in 8 oz water first thing in the morning) is also a good pH tonic despite it being acidic in the jar.
I have been taking fresh fruits and veg 2boost my white blood cells.what i am finding is that i am taking more or less the same thing 4 my bones.As i have got thining of the bones though a fall that i had.And one of the doctors made a boo boo.
Dear Vivian,
Thankyou for all of your helpful info on “SAVE OUR BONES’. I am so happy I found your website. You have been such an inspiration for womans health issues. I was diagnosed with “Osteoporosis four years ago and now things have improved somewhat. My recent bone density test came back “OSTEOPENIA”. I Exercise with aerobics, non-impact for forty min.five to six days per week and I also walk aerobically with my husband just about every day. Also have been a big proponent of consuming vital nutrients such as vitamin supplements six days per wk. Vivian, thankyou for listening to my story. Just love reading your material about how I may increase my bones even more. THANKYOU SO MUCH!
Sincerely,
Kristine Varzal
Have been reading all these conversation and do not seem to get you reply. I have high blood pressure take a diurtic for it. Seeing doctor next week will ask about Vit. K and grapefruit. Waiting for your book so I can follow your program. Have done yoya for over 45 years and walk 2-3 miles a day. Will start you suggestions on the exercises.
Thanks for all your info. AE