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 have been reading comments for many weeks and finally decided to make one of my own. I was diagnosed with osteoporosis and osteopenia – took Boniva for a year (bad side effects so I stopped). I have purchased Vivian’s book. Recently, went for a follow up bone scan after 2 years – and my numbers had worsened. So, guys, let’s start thinking about the positive – has anyone had improved numbers – and what did you do to get them? Will keep you posted as to my own in a 12 months as I am following Vivian’s book, exercising more, and taking Citracal and natural foods calcium. Thanks!!
I agree with the writer Tee. I had written before about my own situation as I have just recently started the program. In that comment I also asked for up to date data on the success of this program. I know Vivian gives a personal comment of a 20% increase in bone density improvement after she started to follow these principles but this program is a few years on now and I have not seen any other data on her continued progress. Occasionally there has been a positive response from a participant. I am still wondering what kind of data collection is being accumulated to let us know percentages of improvement or otherwise in individuals who are following the program. The problem of course would be that there are so many variables in each individual’s health history and the way the program is used by them.
I do appreciate the forums and the emails from Vivian very much.
I enjoy grapefruit but I understand that it is not appropriate when one suffers from high blood pressure.This morning I had my blood pressure checked and was 155/85.
My blood pressure was okay but I wonder whether it had anything to do with the passing away of my wife on July 8 of 2010
Well Vivian, May I say how wonderfully refreshing it is to have a true health professional really care about our bone health, instead of all the bandaid treatments that are offered to us, some of them downright dangerous as to their side effects.
Keep up the great work.
Thank you for the daily tips. I am using and benefiting from most of them.
However, my Simvastatin (cholesterol lowering medication) vial reads: Avoid eating or drinking grapefruit products with this medication.
Please make a note of it.
Interesting about the rats and bone strength. However, they were male rats and it was testosterone that was involved, so would this finding only relate to men? Women’s osteoporosis is affected by low oestrogen levels.
Thank you for all of the helpful information about bone care. It is good to have a site that will inform us of differnce ways to turn around bone loss that is natural and healthy.
I take a Zocor generic for cholesterol and you are not supposed to eat grapefruit while taking this med. Now what?
I always apprciut you!!!Vivian.I enjoy your sujestion.
God bless you. YOU ARE SOOOOO GREAT!!
I and All people Those hwo read your book are Blessed.
Thank you so mach!!!
Love Atsede
Very interesting, but why cause such pain and suffering to innocent rats? Are there not enough humans around who could have taken part in this experiment? One of my main reasons for not taking the proffered drugs for osteoporosis, when I was diagnosed, was because I do not believe in testing on animals. For someone who seems to prefer to work with nature to deal with health issues, I am surprised at your promoting this method – which you do by forwarding it, Dr. Goldschmidt.
Should you have any information on anyone doing non-animal, cruelty-free research into osteoporosis, in England, please do let me know as I will happily volunteer.
Yours most sincerely Jan Dowling
Hi Jan Interesting reply! I’m a lover of ruby red grapefruit juice and grapefruit. I’ll be glad to eat all they give me and then test me! I don’t care too much for rats,,,,but I’m open to be tested on a grapefruit diet, because I need all the help I can get and they don’t need to make rats sick to prove anything. I already have osteoporosis, so they have me: their guinea pig, so they should leave those poor animals alone!
I totally agree with Jan. What happened to the rats after the study was completed? Surely there must be enought women with osteopenia/osteoporosis who would be willing to eat grapefruit and be re-tested. I would!
already switched to sea salt but did no know what to do with the table salt. After your email I cleaned all the copper pots and pans with it and it worked great. lemon juice and table salt that is.
Iam also sending an email to MD Anderson to ask them why they would perscribe a drug that can cause cancer to treat ostepenia. The results of taking fosomax are bogus because the bone density tests shows only that the old bone structure is retained which gives a false impression that the bone health has improved.
Now my wife has multiple myeloma and this may be the reason. I plan to argue the points raised on your book with them. She already is working on alkalinity, walking 30 minutes, playing tennis, taking calcium and magnesium,vitamin b12, iomega-3, vitamin d3 so all she needs to take more is k2 rather than fosomax. She is in her fifth year after initial teatement.
this is really good news , as i eat red grape fruit almost every day,cause i like it,but now finding it has added benifets is great.
Of course, grapefruit is contra-indicated for some medications and so if you are being treated for a medical condition it would be wise to check with your doctor first.
Very Interesting, We can save our bone with grapefruit,like it
i will try red grape for my back pain, if any relief i will get i will post my comment latter on
What is a natural alternative to omaprozole?
By following the Save our Bones regime I thought my bone density would be better but it is worse. I am thinking it is the omaprzole robbing my bones of calcium and magnesium. Any thoughts on this?
I just would like to know if there is any natural alternative to Omaprozole?
I have exactly the same results and question. Thank you for bring it in.
What about ruby red grapefruit juice, would that be as good?
I just received my first injection of Prolia and wonder about the effects if I discontinue the shots, will this one shot cause much damage or am I safe in not receiving any more injections. I’m very healthy (I thought), go to the gym, lift weights, careful with my diet (have eaten pink grapefruit for breakfast for years) but don’t do dairy products so I take calcium supplements along with vitamin D. I did a “littl” research on the Prolia and thought it was the best of the worst!
Hi Ruth,
The sooner you stop taking Prolia, the less likely you are to experience negative effects. You might want to check out this article for information about what happens when you stop the drugs: https://saveourbones.com/stop-taking-osteoporosis-drugs/
I have not taken it yet, but have been considering it. I was wondering what you have heard about it. It’s supposed to be working very well for osteoporosis.
you may want to go to the national osteoporosis site and see that some prolia patients are not such a great time of it. Some people experience
side effects beyond what is noted in the medical guide. Everyone
has to be informed so reading th medical guide about the known side effects would be wise. When you go off the results will go away so it is a temporary fix and long term it may no be good. Good luck
Would like to hear your comments on Prolia. I have been thinking of taking it and am a little concerned because it has only been out one year. Fortia has been out longer, but I don’t want to have to inject myself every day.
I find your information very good indeed thank you
Thanks Vivian:
My husband and I have have been eating the Ruby Reds for a some time now. We have been with Great Taste No Pain. Sherry has helped us to eat better. With the Alkaline, Acid balance, that you also recommend. Thank You Very Much. We really appreciate what you and Sherry are doing to help us live a better life.
Your Friend Loleta
Thanks for the article. I already love grapefruit and it’s wonderful to know that it is so good for my bones.
You know what I am going to say… what do we folks do who are still stuck taking Statins (lipitor in our case) and cannot eat grapefruit — that we use to LOVE because it reduces the drugs effectiveness? I would love to eat GF again.
I used to eat grapefruit regularly, usually pink or red, until I was put on Fosamax. Since I quite taking it, I just bought my first jug of organic red grapefruit juice and look forward to buying the fruit.
Hi Barbara, can you tell me how long you were on Fosamax please? I have been on Actonil for 6 years and the specialist says if I stop now, all my old bone will collapse and I have read that these bisphosphonates stop ones body from forming new bones for 2 years after one stops taking them.
Dear Vivian,
I have a tree loaded with the yellow grapefruit. Does it have to be the red kind?
Sincerely Valerie
Unfortunetly I am on Lipitor and am not suppose to ear grapefruit.
I liked the article-it was very interesting.Ilove red grapefruit.
I’m astonished to read that there are still people taking statins! The side effects of these drugs are horrendous – memory loss, muscle pain, gasrtic upsets and more. If you’re a woman, unless you have already had a heart attack, they do you more harm than good. They are prescribed because doctors are paid to prescribe them – my doctor told me not to take any.
I would rather hear about the lab workers being castrated and tested while leaving the rats alone. This research may be ‘promising’ but I find it cruel and needless.
While the study was done on rats, any data on humans and specifically females
I love receiving your email. However i was very disturbed by the study about rats and grapefruits. Rats are living things and sometimes very cute; how often does a rat eat grapefruits? Pretty sure it is not their normal diet. Would not i get sick on a diet of rat food? They kind of clean up the lower end of our world, we need them. Concentrate on the diet of monks in Mount Athos (Greece) not on those rats. Nicole
I have advanced Osteoporosis and I am on the Save Our Bones program. It is working for me! I am not taking an prescription drugs so I will try the red grapefruit! I hike 3 miles almost everyday, ride horses a lot and I don’t dwell on negative thoughts. I take Bone Solid, Alive vitamins for women, fish oil and Holy basil!
My cause for the Osteoporosis was discovering that by drinking the water softener water for 25 years, I exposed myself to the demise of my bones. I have since stopped and now, I feel a change and I believe my bones are rebuilding! Thanks to Vivian for all your research and great advice…the book is worth the price!!!
Sounds good. I’d like it for my waiting room, but it’s too expensive!
LPG, LAc.
Beings I am on 3 B P meds, was told not to ever eat grapefruite. Is that true?
I also cannot have grapefruit because of being on statin medicine JC
My doctor just took me off fosomax because he felt the report on my bone density test waranted it.
Is there harm in stoping fosomax. I have osteopenia.
Grapefruit is great depending on meds you are on. Also it is not good for kidney disease.
My Consultant told me not to eat grapefruit as it increases the risk of breast cancer. I have been battleing the disease for 16 years now even with a spread to both lungs so I am now cofused about your article claiming a study shows a decrease in risk of breast cancer by eating grapefruit. I also have severe Osteoporosis too.
Gosh I don’t understand how eating grapefruit
can be harmful to anyone unless they have an ulcer. Not good because of breast cancer? wow I would think just the opposite because of it’s antioxident properties, dunno.
Of course I don’t have any medical degree( do have a diploma as a medical clerk though)…..
Grapefruit is awfully acidic I suppose which on it’s own may not be so good and wouldn’t one have to blend the pulp for digestive purposes?
Actually the acids in the grapefruit may change into alkaline in our stomachs, since that is the case with apple cider vinegar. I have read that alkalinity is a much better choice, as diseases favor acidity. I have been taking a tbsp of apple cider vinegar (Braggs organic) in a cup of hot water, with a tsp of either honey or black strap molasses each day…….tasty and good for the body.
I love reading your section as it gives me knowledge about ‘Save our Bones’. Thanks a lot Viven. Keep it up.
I received news today that I have osteopenia in spine and right hip.. This is truly depressing but I knew it would happen sooner or later. I have ms and did a lot of steroids although not for 2 years. I would like to buy your book but 67. 00 is a lot of money for me as I am disabled. I do eat good food but cheat with one lattee coffee a day. That will end now and take superior calcium, do yoga everyday, lift 5 lb weights but what else is missing Did 1 cup of coffee deterioate my bone. I guess so. I hope to change this. Thanks Vivian. You have a great service. Elle
I have a beautiful pink grapefruit tree in my back yard and love to eat them. If one is good can more be better? Can you eat to many?
Thank you again, Vivian, for all your really useful suggestions. I eat grapefruit almost daily. Now I am looking forward to your video broadcast and hope a replay will be available even after the appointed date and time (with the big time difference it might be difficult for us in Europe to “attend”)- I would not like to miss it.
Margarita
i eat a lot of red grapefruit but was wondering if the red navel oranges are just as good?
Hi Joyce,
Red navel oranges (and all oranges) are wonderful, and it’s important to eat a varied diet. BUT… oranges and grapefruits are different, and this particular study specifically addressed the beneficial properties of grapefruit. 🙂
I eat a half grapefruit for breakfast. For my cholesterol I take Red Yeast Rice which has lovastatin. It does not seem to interfere.
I would love to by all these different books but we are having problems making ends meat as it is so I can only read what ever is printed right here.
Spellcheck and wikipedia are also free and it gives a lot of information about spelling.
How truly TACKY, Robert.
Vivian, I am unable to also eat Grapefruit but enjoy most all fruits so it should even out. However reading my copy of Save Our Bones I would like you to suggest a name brand Calcium I can take to help me. I am now taking Citracal Calcium +D Plus Bone Density Builder by Bayer.Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thank You Gerda
Grapefruit can not be used with some high blood pressure medicine.
I called the company and they agreed and I love grapefruit
The article was very interesting and informative. I do eat grapefruit, and love the red pulp. I think I will be eating more of it! Thank you for your continual help to us all!
What about Grapefruit being forbidden to those of us oh cholesterol medications?
Hi Beverly (and Vivian),
Yes, grapefruit can be a problem with certain medications. But here’s the deal. If you have issues with grapefruit, or even if you just don’t like it, then don’t eat it. It’s as simple as that. Grapefruit is just one of many bone healthy foods that you can include in your diet. It’s much more important to eat a varied diet than it is to focus on one particular food. When I talk about a food, that doesn’t mean you need to eat it or that you can’t be successful on the program without it.
someone said Red Rice Yeast had lovastatin in it? Is that true?
MY DOCTOR PRESCRIBED LIPATOR FOR MY CONDITION. I WAS WARNED NOT TO EAT GRAPEFRUIT. PLEASE COMMENT. THANK YOU, FROM VIVIAN
Unfortunately as much as I love grapefruit, I cannot eat it because I am On Cholestrol medication that forbids eating grapefruit or drinking the juice.
hullo ; I read every mail coming from Mrs Vivian Goldsmith, because ,I am a biologist (retired: I am 72 —– i used to work in a hospital ) and I suffer from osteoporosis .First, pardon my “english” :I am french ,living in Haute-Savoie,and i know a little english ; I agree with you ,concerning fruit and vegetable diet:grapefruit but also all the others fruit containing polyphenols and anthocyanic components or isoflavones involved in bone construction; but,besides a good diet,with vit.D3 and calcium ( a good one,such citrate,orotrate or pidolate of Ca),it seems difficult to avoid drugs ( especially ranelate de strontium which have not been involved in side effects) ,when there is a severe osteoporosis; What is your opinion? thanks to you and sincerely
Hi Massol,
Actually, many people (myself included) have regained their bone health without the use of drugs by following the Osteoporosis Reversal Program. The Program is designed for those who have been diagnosed with osteoporosis (even severe osteoporosis) or osteopenia. I don’t believe osteoporosis medications are necessary, and they can have extreme adverse effects.
taking lisinopril for high blood pressure…should I eat grapefruit ? I have read both bad and good things when taking meds..please respond
Hi Bobbi,
It’s true that grapefruit can interfere with several medications. Please check with your doctor or pharmacist about whether it’s an issue in your case. And keep in mind that you don’t have to eat grapefruit (or any one food) to have success on the Save Our Bones program.
Vivian,
Thank you for the wonderful information. Interesting article.I cannot have it because of some medications. I used to love it.
Sincerely,
Yeva.
With familial hypercholesterolemia, I am not able to use grapefruit as I have been on Lovastin for the past 20 years…orange juice is acid on your teeth and high in glucose…I use Kiwi for Vit. C… does it also have any proponents to help encourage bone hardening….Keep up the good works…amj