Vivian Answers Day #23: Milk, Bone Health Philosophy, Shrinking Height, Hydrochloric Acid, And More!

Vivian Goldschmidt, MA Inspiration

Evidence-Based
5 min Read
vivian answers day

Question & Answer #1

I’ve known for years that processed milk is bad for you and will not drink it. But my wife has been told by doctors to drink lots of milk and she makes up for both of us. My question is, how can I convince her that doctors are wrong about milk and get her to stop drinking that toxin?

-George McClelland

Dear George,

There are plenty of mainstream scientific studies that support our view – that milk is bad for our bones and for our health. Your wife may or may not have read my two blog posts, ‘The Milk Myth' and ‘Are They Right About Milk?' about this controversial topic here and here.

Fortunately, the truth about milk is starting to filter through mainstream medicine. Not all doctors recommend milk. In a recent New York Times article, the author quotes his own doctor, who told him that:

“Lactose intolerance is a pretty good sign that we’ve evolved to drink human milk when we’re babies but have no need for the milk of any animals.”1

If this sounds familiar, it’s because in the Osteoporosis Reversal Program I expand on the same concept. I also explain why milk is a bad drink – especially for bone health. I’ve also devoted an entire chapter – Chapter 7 – to dispel the notion that doctors are always right. In it, I reveal shocking recommendations made by doctors in the past, that were later proven to be highly detrimental.

So… got (anything but) milk?

vivian sig

Question & Answer #2

I am wondering what the alternative is if ones bone density worsens after discontinuing Actonel and following Save Our Bones. Is there ever a time to reconsider taking medication?

-Janice Illingworth

Dear Janice,

The answer to this question is on page 162 of the Osteoporosis Reversal Program, where I wrote:

“Identifying your bone health philosophy is a giant leap in the right direction… Knowing what to do with it, is no small feat.”

So now my question to you is whether you’ve formulated your bone health philosophy based on potential results or based on your belief on what's best for you. Much like with any other important decision in life, a careful analysis of the situation, including the possible different outcomes is an excellent idea.

Also, bone density is just one aspect of bone health. Keep in mind that the main focus of bone health is to prevent fractures, and as I’ve explained in the Osteoporosis Reversal Program, less dense but healthy and renewed bones have better tensile strength than thicker, denser, older bones.

If you are following the program (and therefore not taking osteoporosis drugs), your bones are healthier, whether or not that is reflected in the scores.

Here’s to your bone health philosophy!

vivian sig

Question & Answer #3

My latest bone scan showed a 4.3% improvement. I have never had an improvement before and the radiologist called it significant. I was very pleased. However over the years, I have lost height from 5’6″ to 5’4″. I have been trying to stand taller, and I do your exercises too, and have started taebo classes as well, very slowly. My question is this: Did osteoporosis cause my loss of height, or is it normal aging where we just shrink a bit in between each vertebrae until we become noticeably shorter?. Will this continue now that I am improving my bone health? I am 65, and went through menopause at 46.

-Paula Blake

Dear Paula,

First of all, congratulations on your improvement, and I thank you for sharing the good news. Now to answer your question, until recently, mainstream medicine typically blamed osteoporosis for height loss, as a result of vertebral fractures leading to kyphosis, more commonly known as the dreaded dowager’s hump.

However, recent studies have shown that only about one-third of people with kyphosis actually have vertebral fractures. So in the vast majority of cases, height loss is caused by poor posture, with the typical forward-leaning head, slumped shoulders, and a sunken chest.

Since you’re exercising for your bones, your muscles are also getting stronger, which means it’ll be easier for you to keep a good and straight posture.

And here’s an easy trick I do a few times a day to keep my head aligned. Just stand against the wall for a few seconds, making sure your shoulders and your head touch the wall. You’ll instantly notice a straighter and more youthful posture.

Stand tall… and smile!

vivian sig

Question & Answer #4

As we age we begin to lose our hydrochloric acid thus our digestion begins to slow down. Good digestion is key to healthy, strong bones because without good digestion we are not absorbing our nutrients very well. Many people supplement with hydrochloric acid to increase their stomach acid. My question is, what effect on the pH of the body does supplementing with HCI have? Does it make the blood more acidic and if so, could this present a problem in keeping a pH balance?

-Marilyn Turnbull


Dear Marilyn,

It is true that as we age we typically produce less hydrochloric acid (HCl), and as you write, some opt for supplementing with betaine HCl. It is beneficial for the digested stomach contents that enter the upper intestines to be very acid, since it triggers the secretion of more alkalizing elements, such as bile, actually helping alkalize the body. Additionally, enough acid in the stomach helps better digest foods and absorb valuable bone-healthy nutrients.

Isn’t this “food for thought” easy to digest? So keep asking questions 🙂

vivian sig

References

1 https://opinionator.blogs.nytimes.com/2012/07/07/got-milk-you-dont-need-it/