There’s a common misconception that doctors know everything – at least, everything about health. But the truth is, sometimes doctors are woefully ignorant of key health insights. This medical ignorance is particularly noteworthy in the area of nutrition.
Of course, the Osteoporosis Reversal Program is based on nutrition, and specific nutrients and foods are highlighted throughout as especially good for bones. These are the Foundation Supplements and Foundation Foods, and one very important category of these vital nutrients is polyphenols.
There’s an entire section in the Osteoporosis Reversal Program dedicated to plant polyphenols and their role in bone health. There are literally thousands of helpful polyphenols, but there is one that stands out as especially powerful to help you build your bones.
This is the bone secret your doctor won’t tell you! We’ll talk about why in a moment, but first, let’s take a look at these…
Phenomenal Polyphenols
Free radical damage (oxidation) in the body can cause excessive bone resorption; but the antioxidant-rich polyphenols reduce the rate of bone resorption caused by oxidation. Research along these lines clearly indicates that polyphenols play a significant role in stopping the progression of osteoporosis, and even from preventing the onset of osteoporosis to begin with. Here is how it works.
Free radicals decrease the rate of bone formation in the body. They do this by crippling osteoblasts, which are bone-building cells. In addition, free radicals stimulate osteoclasts, which tear down bone. So in a very direct way, free radicals decrease bone density.
Among the polyphenols present in plant foods, a class of polyphenols known as flavonoids, are of particular interest regarding bone health.
How Some Flavonoids Help Build Your Bones
Some flavonoids are among the polyphenols that have estrogenic effects on the body, thereby staving off the effects of low estrogen on bone. But unlike hormone replacement therapy (HRT), plant-based polyphenols are natural substances that do not override natural body processes. They are not a synthetic substitute for estrogen, in other words, and they are not actual hormones. Rather, they bind to estrogen receptors and do not upset the natural hormonal balance in the body.
And there’s one flavonoid that does this particularly well, and the best part is that it’s present in good quantities in many alkalizing every day foods. It’s called…
Apigenin: the Flavonoid That Stands Out
Among the many polyphenols that help your bones, apigenin is a flavonoid that stands out. In a Korean study,1 apigenin was shown to increase the growth of osteoblasts (the bone-building cells). This flavonoid also increased the collagen content in bone cells. In addition, apigenin stimulated the activity of alkaline phosphatase, an enzyme that plays a role in bone mineralization.
As its name implies, alkaline phosphatase performs best in an alkaline environment, so following a pH-balanced diet as described in the Osteoporosis Reversal Program is a great way to set the stage for bone-health success.
Foods That Contain Apigenin
If you’re following the Osteoporosis Reversal Program, you’re already familiar with the Foundation Foods listed in the book. Many of the foods that contain high levels of apigenin are also Foundation Foods.
Foods high in apigenin include:
- Parsley*
- Celery* (particularly green celery hearts)
- Apples*
- Oranges*
- Bell peppers*
- Herbs and spices such as coriander, licorice, marjoram, oregano, rosemary, and tarragon.
- Beets*
- Brussels sprouts
- Cauliflower*
- Kohlrabi*
- Lettuce*
- Rutabagas
- Spinach*
*Foundation Food
There are so many ways you can combine and serve these healthful foods! Chopped apples and celery can be tossed into a spinach and lettuce salad, for example, or you can make a pan of tasty roasted cauliflower and rutabagas topped with minced parsley.
So as you can see, getting more apigenin is easy when you follow the nutritional guidelines in the Osteoporosis Reversal Program. It’s yet another way that the Program is a truly integrative osteoporosis treatment.
Why Won’t Your Doctor Tell You About This?
Your doctor is not going to recommend apigenin to treat osteoporosis. Why not? Quite simply, because he or she doesn’t know about it. Nutrition is an area of health where doctors tend to be ignorant. It just isn’t part of mainstream medical training.
Thankfully, you have an edge – the Osteoporosis Reversal Program will arm you with information you won’t get from a visit to your doctor’s office!
So enjoy the flavorful Foundation Foods with the knowledge that you are doing something proactive to increase your bone strength and health.
Till next time,
References
1 Choi, E.M. “Apigenin increases osteoblastic differentiation and inhibits tumor necrosis factor-alpha-induced production of interleukin-6 and nitric oxide in osteoblastic MC3T3-E1 cells.” Die Pharmazie. 2007 Mar; 62(3):216-20. Web. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17416199
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- Save Our Bones Bulletin: Second Largest US Physician Group Still Serving Big Pharma; New Osteoporosis Drug In The Works; Almonds Show Exercise-Related Benefits
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All About Bone Turnover MarkersComments on this article are closed.
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I ordered the book on spécial about too months ago
Paid with my credit card ….but never received it
Could you look into this situation please? thank you
Lomer Laplante
169 Boileau
Chateauguay QC
J6J 3E6 -
got a horrifying observation from my doc this morning. The vertebrae at the base of my kneck are enlarged!! I work so hard on my posture but she said I can’t alter its growth with good posture – in fact she said there is nothing I can do. Bought your book some time ago and cant find it in my inbox with only part of it printed. Is there a chance you will resend it? Panicked.
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Ihave improved my bone density score following your advice I am 81yrs and was told to go on fosamax about 7yrs ago I refused as I did not want to take any medication having seen the affect it had on my sister I walk a lot with my dog and do obedience training I take some minerals also as I know that the soil is lacking in some in the area I live
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changeid my email addressI still want to receive your emails
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Vivian I am waiting to see what you think about ezorb. I was thinking about taking it.I had hip fracture in July 2012 so far I`m getting along good. I take Bone Strength with D3,magnesium K2.Bone Restore with calcium D3 Magnesium ,zinc manganese. I buy it from Life Extension.I`m walking 2miles every day. I have your save our bones. I am 85 years old.
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Liked the article on flavonoids, i will make sure i eat more of the foods mentioned. Have you heard of a supplement called Ezorb. I am taking it in powder form and it mixes nicely with smoothies and yogurt. I have only been taking it for a month now. My left hip numbers are -2.9, hope to see an improvement in the next few months.
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I have “Save Our Bones” book and enjoy reading your informative e-mails keeping me on the cutting edge of bone health.
I have been off the typical bone medications for about 10 years now. However, with the new health care program in place I had to get a new doctor. I will see him for the first physical in March. I hope I can convince him I’m better off without those Rx bone medications. Otherwise I may have to keep looking for a doctor.
Thanks for your on-line input and expertise on the subject of saving our bones naturally. I’m with you!
~j
~joan
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Great to hear, Joan – I hope your new doctor works out for you! 🙂
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Hi! Vivian,
I’m Happy To Know You Don’t Have To Eat All The Food And Spices On That List To Get The Benefit Of Apigenin! I Think I Told You That I’m Highly Allergic To Cilantro. I’m Also Highly Allergic To Coriander, Tarragon, Beets, And Less Allergic To Curry And Ginger! But The Other Foods And Spices On The List, As Far As I Know Anyway, I Don’t Have An Allergic Reaction To!
Thank You Very Much For All Your Interesting Articles!Love, Leslie (Ms. L.)
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I had breast cancer and had a lumpectomy. One of the growths was estrogen sensitive, and I take pills to destroy any estrogen my body may make. Do I have to worry about apigenin? Thanks so much.
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Hello my friend, thank you for for all the research and information we received from you. It keep me motivated. My question is if you planning to publish your program in Spanish I know people who really will benefit from it.
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My dear friend I really appreciate all you been doing and continue researching to keep us motivated. My question is if you ever though in publish SAVE OUR BONES in spanish. I know spanish people all ready taken the auful medications, but I realized the person needs to have the program handy to reed and remember the venefits and contradictions; and I can be there all the time to help them.
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Vivian, what is the best kind of calcium that we should be taking?
I would like to know the brand name. -
hi Vivian my husband was just told that he has osteropoist he is also adiabetic being how the fruit has so much sugar how do I get him on this program I have been on this program for quit some time I want to get him on it as soon as possible I know the dr. is going to want him to go on the medicine and I don’t want thatis it possible that he could eat mostly veg. thank you please ans. soon bea p
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I think the ignorance comes from the fact that most of the doctors do not like doing research; so they only trow at us what they have learn from books at school.
Thank you for this eye opener article. -
Am so thankful to your Osteoporosis Reversal Program. since i started to follow the suggested food supplement & exercises there was a great improvement in my movement. wish i could have personal copy of the said book, but we’re miles away from you am doubt if our budget could carry it! a grateful thanks for sharing your knowledge…God bless
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Minnie, glad to hear about your improved movement and motion! Please contact customer service if you’d like to ask about purchasing the Program – just click on the smiley face icon at the top of the page. 🙂
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I do not know how we got in touch I have a spinal cord injury from 1993 3 surgeries and i am left with arthritis at the last surgery site. i take over the counter pain rx which works better than the drs.drugs which made slurr my speech and constipated so I thank you will concentrate on these apigenins
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It is true bone problem is causing the bigest economic loss in the country development.i propose a lot of sensitization could be done to cub the situation.Ignorance is playing the biggest role on the best food one should ever eat to balance his diet for effective bone functioning.sorry.Laban
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Hi Vivian,
Thank you so much for your spinach recipes. I love the smoothie recipe with banana and almond milk. But I thought we are to have spinach sparingly as it is a high oxalate green. I am alittle confused. On the osteoporosis website they said they do not list spinach as one of the calcium foods for this reason. How often can we have spinach safely. I was having a smoothie everyday for about 5 days because it was so good, before I remembered that we should not have it too often. Thank you for all you do.-
I was wondering the same thing about spinach. Please let me know too. Is it ok to eat lots of spinach or what?????
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I understand the concern about oxalates! But here’s the scoop.
While laboratory studies have shown that oxalates may interfere with calcium absorption (it doesn’t actually leech calcium from the bones), the reduction is relatively small and should not prevent you from eating spinach, which contains many valuable nutrients.
In addition, cooking spinach reduces the oxalates somewhat. So you can take that into consideration as you eat this bone-healthy food!
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I was wondering if Vivian could comment on using Bragg Organic Raw unfiltered apple cider vinegar. Have tried it for acid reflux which helps but not sure if it is ok for the bones?? Thanks!
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Mary Kay, apple cider vinegar is actually alkalizing in the body. 🙂 I am glad you are finding it helpful for your reflux!
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I can not understand how apple cider vinaigrette can help your reflux, I tried it for weight lost and died with reflux the entire day into the night even with a Prilosec in my system?
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Stupid auto correct, vinegar I meant.
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Thanks!
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Thank you for sharing this information
Shula
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Hi V, thanks again for all of your help. I appreciate you as a person very much, and I thank God you are in my life. I eat most of the foods you have listed, two of them, I do not get on this Island. At some point, I will be ordering the “save our bones” program. I have learnt a lot since I get to know you my friend. God bless.
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Dear Vivian:
I do not comment much on your articles but I want you to know I apprediate
them very much. I have found by following your advice on your
information, my doctor reported good results from my last test. Thank you,
thank you, thank you.-
Wonderful, wonderful news Mary. I hope you will comment more often! 🙂
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Thank you, Ita.
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Thank you so much for all of your information and concern for the health of all of us… You are the sister that I never had and a good friend also.
Bless you…
Sincerely, Elizabeth W. -
Thank you very much for all your helpful advice. Do you have a favourite smoothie recipes?
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I started this program just a few weeks ago. I have osteoporosis in my lumbar area. I took “the drugs” for a year but didn’t want to or feel good doing it. Your program gave me the courage to take control of how to deal with a natural occurrence in my body. I am starting to notice subtle changes like not being so hungry and feeling better in general. I really do love that I can load up on veggie’s and still have a little meat. It’s my kind of life change. This one…..I can do!!! Thank you so much Vivian, for the updates. I read them faithfully and apply all that I can. To me, you are a Godsend!
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Terry, that means so much to hear – I am so pleased that you have found such liberation on the Program! Thanks so much for sharing your experience with the community.
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I had to have my thyroid removed several years ago. I have osteoporois and eat many of the foods you recommend. I did not realize that cabbage is not recommended. I am concerned about Soy and Rice now that they have been in the news lately. I try to eat only organic fruit and vegetables.
Should I keep them out of my diet?-
I’ve read on other sites that fermented soy is good, unfermented is not so good.
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Just getting started on SOB Program . So many good foods will make it easier than I thought it would be. Thank you !!
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Hi Vivian,
Thank you so much for all your articlos. It’s being very helful to me. -
Thank you Vivian – a huge thanks for your dedication and I’m sure hours upon hours of research! You are providing so much solid, researched based facts about our bodies and our bone health. There are thousands of us who are grateful for your work and seeing the improvement in our own lives and health when we apply that information to our own nutrition and lifestyles.
THANK YOU!! Joy
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I really appreciate all this valuable information. Many of the foods that you recommended are now regularly on my shopping list.
Also, I want to mention that I find the ‘Flamingo’ exercise very helpful. I do it every day and my balance has improved a lot making it much less likely that I might fall and break a bone. It seems to have strengthened my back too.-
What is the flamingo exercise?
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Stand on one leg while brushing your teeth or doing other standing still activities.
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Hi Vivian..I have just been diagnosed with Osteoporosis and I do not want to go onto the normal medical medication. I am a great believer in natural therapy and would to hear from you with some advise.
Cheers
\Robyn Webb -
Thank you for your serious, outstanding and abundant guidance, your exemplary generosity and intelligence on matters that make one dizzy with anxiety, when one feels alone and unknowing!
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Dear Avital,
You are most certainly not alone! I am so glad you’ve found the Save Our Bones community. Thank you for chiming in!
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I think your program is excellent but people with thyroid issues are told not to consume foods from the night shade family and the cabbage family. I am looking for other foods that will supply the same effects on the body. Would foods such as barley grass help?
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I understand your concerns, Mary. But if you look at the list, there are foods there that are not members of the nightshade or cabbage family, such as oranges, celery, and apples. 🙂 In fact, those might make a nice chopped salad mixed together!
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I enjoy to read your e-mail, I can learn more, thanks.
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I always appreciate all your most wonderful and valuable information! Thank you so much for all you do!!!
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I am delighted at the information you are so freely giving us .. about those plants that contain this wonder apigenin ! I have always loved parsley tea and parsley in chicken soup ! plus the others are also close favourites…and the spinach haters salads and recipes.. so great to Know what they re doing for us .. just growing in their own ways on this earth..ever since it was created …and provided for us as is found in Genesis … (christian bible) … thank you Vivian !
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You are most welcome, Carol! How convenient that you already love so many of these apigenin-rich foods. 🙂
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Vivian, thank you thank you thank you for this and other articles. it feels so good to be in ‘your safe hands, love Aideen from South Africa
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As always you are a mind of imformation . Thank you .
Have osteopenia (worse in neck). Also M.E. so inactivity when chronic fatigue sets in makes neck and shoulders ache. Never taken drugs for it but eat healthily. Didn’t actually know about apigenin so learned something today. Thank you. Would like to receive newsletters.