‘Vivian Answers Day’ #4

Question & Answer #1

What is the best calcium to take and amount for a person 5′ tall and weighs 108 pounds?

-Susan

Dear Susan,

Calcium is required by volume and weight more than any other mineral in the body. As I write in the Osteoporosis Reversal Program, 800 to 1200 mg a day can meet the requirements of an adult person.

The best calcium is from organic sources, in other words from foods. That is why the Osteoporosis Reversal Program has a list of Foundation Foods that contain high levels of bone-healthy nutrients. Broccoli, cabbage, and sesame seeds (to name a few) can boost your calcium intake.

But it is quite difficult to get enough calcium from what we eat, especially since the earth is depleted from valuable minerals. There is no doubt that the body processes best that which naturally occurs in food, so this makes a lot of sense. So in supplemental form, the most usable calcium is derived from plants, such as algae.

Several well-known supplement brands are currently available (both online and in retail stores) with formulas that contain calcium and other valuable trace minerals that are naturally occurring in algae.

The second best choice is amino-acid chelated calcium. What this means is that the calcium molecule is bound to an amino acid, so the digestive system recognizes it as a ‘food'.

In good health,

Question & Answer #2

My doctor recently told me that my Creatine Kinase has been elevated, and that there is muscle damage. I have been taking several vitamins including D3, calcium aspartate. He wants me to do a blood work and return to him early September. Would you know what caused this damage?

-Cherry W.

Dear Cherry,

Creatine Kinase (CK) is an important enzyme found mainly in skeletal muscle. That is why elevated levels of CK are typically an indication of muscle damage. CK levels are most often tested as a marker for heart attacks, rhabdomyolysis (severe muscle breakdown that can also be caused by cholesterol-lowering statin drugs), muscular dystrophy or in acute renal failure. Please note that this is not a complete list of ailments.

Unfortunately, I can't answer your specific question because you did not explain what prompted your doctor to request your CK levels test (or perhaps he didn't tell you either, in which case you should ask him).

Be well,

Question & Answer #3

Once you change your diet how long will it take to rebuild the bones so you're no longer at risk?

-Roth K.

Dear Roth,

Your question is excellent… but not as simple as it sounds. First, I'd like to let you know that some in our community have increased their bone density to non-osteoporotic levels by following the Osteoporosis Reversal Program in as little as six months. (You can check out a blog post titled “An Inspirational Audio Interview).

The reason why the time to restore desirable bone density varies is because there are so many biological differences in each person. These differences could be whether the person took osteoporosis drugs, for how long, or other drugs that may impair mineral absorption, etc.

And about no longer being at risk, the Osteoporosis Reversal Program aims to restore normal bone metabolism. In essence, bones that renew themselves are less prone to fracture than old and brittle bone.

In good health,

Question & Answer #4

I have 5 kidney stones which have never posed a pain or a problem, and have been diagnosed with 42% bone loss in my spine. I have recently been told by my urologist to take a calcium supplement that was especially formulated for people with bone loss and kidney stones. It contains Calcium citrate, magnesium stearate, D3, K1, stontium and boron.

He also advised me to eat a calcium rich diet but to eat things like spinach, chard and okra in moderation. He also advised me to drink at least 2 litres of filtered water with lemon each day. What are your thoughts?

-Krista S.

Dear Krista,

I hope you are feeling well. Your doctor is giving you pretty good advice. He is trying to balance getting enough minerals without aggravating the problem. You might want to consult with him about taking organic calcium instead of calcium citrate, and also you might want to check out the strontium dose in the supplement he recommended to you.

Take care,

Question & Answer #5

I have been prescribed Adcal D3 (equivalent to 600mg calcium and 400iu vit D3) x twice daily and due to the latest scare re the increased incidence of heart/stroke problems in relation to calcium intake, I have decided to stop taking them forthwith.

I have a varied fresh diet and walk/exercise frequently.

My question:

Would substituting calcium tablets with a good teaspoonful of Tahini night and morning offer sufficient calcium in natural form along with plenty of fresh fruit/veg and soya milk.

-Irene W.

Dear Irene,

You are on the right track! Because calcium is crucial to bone health (but not the answer to osteoporosis) you might want to take an organic calcium supplement along with the foods you mention.

All the best,

Question & Answer #6

How long on your program diet will it take to get back to an acceptable level? I am currently -3.7 & have followed your program strictly since buying your book 18 months ago.

-Ken N.

Dear Ken,

I hope you are doing well and feeling great on the Osteoporosis Reversal Program. Please check out my answer #3 to Roth.

Be well,

Question & Answer #7

Although I know how very important managing our diet is to bone health, I wondered if you are aware of any organic supplement to balance pH on those days (or sometimes weeks) where watching our diet is overwhelming?

-Diane B.

Dear Diane,

Hippocrates said “Let food be your medicine”, and for a good reason. While certain supplements such as greens or digestive aids can help boost the pH balance, unless you have access to the perfect formula, you are better off supplementing with foods that are highly alkaline. Celery, watermelon, avocado and almonds are a good example. Or you can make fresh juices mixing your favorite alkalizing veggies and/or fruits.

There are many easy and deliciously bone-smart ways to stay alkaline and increase your bone density.

Stay healthy,

Question & Answer #8

I am urged to include Vitamin K in my diet to help strengthen bones. Yet because I take blood thinners Vitamin K is not recommended. What am I to do? Thanks for all the good you do for us.

-Ellen V.N.

Dear Ellen,

This is a question you need to discuss with the doctor that oversees your regular blood coagulation time test results . That's because he or she will need to adjust the blood thinner dose to the vitamin K.

As I write in the blog post titled “Vitamin K: Your Osteoporosis Knight in Shining Armor”:

“If you are taking anticoagulant drugs, your doctor will most probably let you know that vitamin K counteracts the intended effects of your prescription and that you need to discuss with him or her your vitamin K intake.”

So don't forget to ask your doctor next time.

All the best,

Question & Answer # 9

I declined the invasive treatment for osteoporosis and went instead for ‘ADCAL’ – 1 large round tablet morning and evening. I have been taking these for probably a couple of years now. I’m suddenly worried that the calcium in the tablet is the sort derived from washing powder. Can you let me know if I’m doing the right thing by taking these. I do have a good diet – don’t eat meat but do eat plenty of veg, nuts, oats etc. I live in the UK so maybe you haven’t heard of ADCAL???? Incidentally, thinking back, I have had tummy problems for a couple of years, including bouts of diarohhea (however you spell it!). Would love to hear your take on these tablets.

-Angela N.

Dear Angela,

Adcal is a combination of high dosage calcium carbonate with vitamin D3 (colecalciferol). If you are taking the chewable tablets, each one has 1,500 mg, which means you are taking 3,000 mg of calcium a day. No wonder you have tummy problems!

As I mention in answer #1 to Susan, the recommended dosage for an adult is between 800 to 1,200 mg/day, so you are taking an excessive dose. Also, try organic plant-based calcium instead, such as calcium derived from algae.

And no less important is the link between inorganic calcium and heart attacks. You might have missed my blog post about this important topic (Calcium and Heart Attack Alert: My Take). I strongly recommend you read it and switch your calcium supplement as soon as you can.

Best regards,

Question & Answer #10

I have recently ordered my package and anxiously waiting for my book to arrive so I can start this program.

After seeing the specialist a few weeks ago, I googled a bit of my own research when I came across your program. My specialist wants to follow up with me in a couple months a few weeks after I have blood test and another x-ray done so she can see if my prescribed daily increase of Vit D and calcium has made a difference yet!?

If not, she would like to start me on MEDS which I don’t want to do (and I won’t if I can help it).

I lost an inch in 10 years – I am now only 52.

My question is:

With a daily increase of Vitamin D and Calcium, is 2 months enough time to actually make that much of a difference be apparent?

One way or another, I do plan on postponing this follow up appointment so when I do go for my tests, I will be absolutely sure I show a positive results. I can’t wait to see the look on specialist’s face because she sounded pretty convinced that going on medication is my last and only option. I overheard her say she doesn’t have time to see a patient 10 times so her decisions would be hard-pressed.

Here’s another quick question…

Do you know if having too many x-rays are bad for your bones?

Looking forward to your comments and my package.

-Linda

Dear Linda,

By now you have certainly read the Osteoporosis Reversal Program and got started on it right away. To answer your question, it is plausible that a Vitamin D increase would be reflected in a blood test. But to presume that changes would actually show up on an X-ray sounds unrealistic (but at the same time, you did not give me any details about the reason for the X-ray). If you suffered a fracture, for example, then two months can make a big difference.

X-rays are bad for your overall health because they give out radiation. Even though the amount of radiation is small compared to other imaging tests such as CT scans, the effect is cumulative (did you notice how X-ray technicians wear protective shields and sometimes even leave the room while taking X-rays?).

The late Dr. John W. Gofman, Professor Emeritus of molecular and cell biology at UC Berkeley and an expert at nuclear physics, conducted a large study on this topic. He concluded (and published a 700 page study) that over 50 percent of the death rate from cancer and over 60 percent of the death rate from ischemic heart disease are induced by X-rays in combination with other factors.

In an interview conducted at Berkeley on November 16th, 1999, Dr. Gofman said that:

“There is the assumption that, at these (low) doses, radiation doesn't make a significant contribution, but X-rays are very potent mutagens, even at low doses. It's a disaster that people still believe the ‘safe dose myth,' that low doses are harmless.”

Stay strong and healthy,