Vivian Answers Day #20: Gluten Free And Bones, Alkalizing Soup Broth Recipe, Vitamin D, Lemon And Calcium, Forteo, And More!

Vivian Goldschmidt, MA Inspiration

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Question & Answer #1

What is the difference between low turnover and high turnover osteoporosis? Thanks!

-Dinah

Dear Dinah,

The characteristic of low turnover osteoporosis, also known as age-related or type II osteoporosis, is that bone resorption outpaces bone formation. In other words, when the normal bone remodeling cycle is disrupted.

High turnover osteoporosis or type I is caused by a sudden hormonal imbalance, particularly lower estrogen levels, which trigger calcium loss from the bones. While type I osteoporosis is usually associated with spinal compressions, type II is typically blamed for spinal and leg fractures.

Of course, this is the medical establishment’s view on osteoporosis, which they wrongly catalog as a disease. As a Save Our Bones community member you already know that osteoporosis is not a disease, as I clearly explain in the Program. You can also read a synopsis on this important topic here.

Once we get rid of this myth, we can ignore the different types of osteoporosis since as I wrote in the Osteoporosis Reversal Program, calcium loss leading to bone fragility is caused by a biochemical imbalance that can be easily corrected without any drugs.

Stay curious… and healthy!

Question & Answer #2

Vivian,

My husband loves soup, so we eat it every day at dinnertime. I always used chicken or beef stock to add flavor, but now that I’m following the Osteoporosis Reversal Program, I’d like to replace it with an alkalizing stock.

Could you give me a good and easy recipe as a replacement?

Thanks!

Trish

Dear Trish,

Here’s my favorite alkalizing soup stock recipe:

Vegetable Broth

Makes about 10 Cups of Broth

Ingredients

2 tablespoons olive oil
2 large onions, chopped
1 pound celery, chopped
1 pound carrots, chopped
3 cloves garlic, whole
1 bay leaf, or a few sprigs of rosemary
Fresh parsley, to taste
2 teaspoons sea salt (or adjust to taste)
Black pepper to taste (optional)
1 gallon water, distilled

Directions

Heat a large stock pot with some olive oil in the bottom. 

Add the onion, celery, carrots, garlic, (any other vegetable you might have), herbs, and salt.

Pour in the water; turn up the heat and cover.

Cook for 1 hour, turning the heat down a bit once it starts boiling. 

Let it simmer uncovered for another 20 to 30 minutes to concentrate the flavors.

Strain the vegetables through a sieve. If you desire a smoother, more liquid texture, you can strain the liquid a second time using a cheesecloth.

Enjoy!

vivian sig

Question & Answer #3

What is the best time to take bone building vitamins, AM or PM?

-Bridget

Dear Bridget,

As I write in the Osteoporosis Reversal Program, it is best to take the Foundation Supplements with food. I take them in the morning, so I don’t have to remember later in the day. The only supplement I also take with dinner is extra calcium, since the maximum absorbable dose is 500 mg at a time.

In good health!

vivian sig

Question & Answer #4

Are gluten free baked goods alkalizing or acidifying? ie: gluten free pizza, bread, cookies, etc.

-Mary

Dear Mary,

Gluten free ingredients are typically acidifying, since the wheat is most often replaced with other cereals such as corn or oats which have an acid ash residue. However, buckwheat, despite its name, is not related to wheat and it is both alkalizing and gluten free.

Stay healthy,

vivian sig

Question & Answer #5

You mentioned that lemons had calcium. Do limes also have calcium? 
I really enjoy all the articles you have sent.


-Brenda

Dear Brenda,

Lemons are one of the Foundation Foods listed in the Osteoporosis Reversal Program. In addition to being alkalizing, they contain vitamin C, calcium, magnesium and potassium. In fact, one lemon contains 15 grams of calcium.

You most probably already know that Vitamin C, also known as ascorbic acid, is an antioxidant that neutralizes free radicals in the body. It’s necessary for the production of collagen, which maintains bones and cartilage.

While limes are a source of Vitamin C, they don’t contain calcium. However, they do have small quantities of potassium, copper, magnesium, manganese and phosphorus.

Be well,

vivian sig

Question & Answer #6

I am 70 years old and I have been taking calcium, but I have just read an article from England saying I should not take these supplements because of side effects, especially heart problems. What do you think?

-Pearl

Dear Pearl,

This is an excellent question! The flaw in a blanket statement condemning calcium as bad for the heart is that Mainstream Medicine basically ignores the difference between the types of calcium supplements.

To get all the details and my take on this controversial topic, you can read my blog post titled ‘Calcium and Heart Attack Alert: My Take'.

Best wishes,

vivian sig

Question & Answer #7

What would you recommend when a physician tells one has low vitamin D in the blood. I was told that my blood level is 22 (it should be at least 30). I’m already taking multivitamins, and have now added 1000 D3 per day. What is my next alternative should this not help?

-Claire

Dear Claire,

You are on the right track, but since Vitamin D is poorly absorbed from dietary sources (both food and supplements), you might want to consider upping the dose for the first month or two, perhaps to 2,000 IU (plus the 400 your multivitamin/mineral supplement most probably contains).

I also recommend you sunbathe for at least 20 minutes a day without using sunblock. To avoid this problem in the future, if you live in an area with few days of sunshine or if the weather doesn’t permit you to be outdoors in the winter, you might want to consider a sun lamp made specifically to increase or maintain Vitamin D levels. Should you need to use one, make sure you follow manufacturer’s directions to avoid skin problems.

So let the sunshine in!

vivian sig

Question & Answer #8

Re Forteo — is it true that Forteo can cause osteosarcoma?

-Debbie

Dear Debbie,

Indeed, osteosarcoma – a dangerous bone cancer – is a scary diagnosis. During laboratory trial studies prior to the drug’s approval, almost 45% of the rats treated with Forteo (teriparatide) at the highest dose developed osteosarcoma.

Fortunately, very few humans who've taken Forteo have reported contracting this lethal disease. But the drug is still riddled with mystery and other nasty side effects.

You can read more about Forteo here.

Keep asking questions,

vivian sig

Question & Answer #9

Dear Vivian,

Is there any medication that can help with osteoporosis?

-Irma

Dear Irma,

It depends whom you ask this question to. If you asked a doctor, he or she would tell you that there’s more than one medication that can help you. My answer to you is that all osteoporosis medicines carry unpleasant and even dangerous side effects. And what’s worse is that those who are willing to risk their health as a trade-off experience only temporary bone density improvement – if at all. That’s because osteoporosis drugs can’t be taken for more than a few years, precisely because of their terrible side effects.

Fortunately, you don’t have to take chances with your health in order to improve your bones and increase their density. If you haven’t yet, I urge you to download the free Natural Bone-Building Handbook, where I give you information on how to naturally reverse osteoporosis.

And if you wish to bring your bone health to the next level, get the Osteoporosis Reversal Program. Thousands have reversed their osteoporosis without taking drugs. I’m pretty sure that you’ll be truly inspired by the Real Life Results from Save Our Bones community members. I know I am!

To your bone health,

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