Why The Medical Establishment Keeps Ignoring The Real Cause Of Osteoporosis. (Plus 4 Mainstream Studies That Confirm They’re Dead Wrong!) - Save Our Bones

As Savers know, osteoporosis is not a disease. It’s the result of chronic acidosis in the body that depletes buffering reserves, forcing the calcium in bones to be utilized to alkalize the plasma pH. The ‘modern’ diet, loaded with acidifying and inflammatory foods and toxins, are the typical culprits.

Unfortunately, this simple truth is lost on a health system that’s driven by pharmaceutical ‘solutions’ instead of dietary and lifestyle changes. Yet the correct information has been available for decades; it’s simply been ignored (and continues to be ignored) by the Medical Establishment which is influenced by Big Pharma to push synthetic drugs that at best, cover up symptoms.

Not surprisingly, these drugs lead to a biochemical imbalance, often far worse than the condition it’s attempting to ‘treat’.

Today, I’m thrilled to bring you no less than four studies published in mainstream journals that confirm this fact: an acid pH causes bone loss and leads to osteoporosis and osteopenia.

These Studies Have Been Blatantly Ignored By The Medical Establishment

As mentioned above, these studies have been published in mainstream scientific journals, some of them over 25 years ago. So why have they been ‘buried’ for so long? We’re going to answer this question in more detail in a moment, but first I’d like to share and explain the data.

Study #1: Acidosis Increases With Age

In 1996, researchers set out to “investigate whether systemic acid-base equilibrium changes with aging in normal adult humans.”1 In their analysis, which was published in The Journals of Gerontology, the scientists analyzed previously-published articles that reported the acid/base content of blood in the arteries, veins, and capillaries of healthy subjects whose ages were noted in the studies.

They then determined the participants’ blood concentration of hydrogen ions (H+), bicarbonate (HCO-3), and carbon dioxide (PCO2). Bicarbonate neutralizes the acid and both hydrogen and carbon dioxide are acidifying elements. Their ages ranged from 20 to 100 years, so the researchers constructed a linear regression analysis from the data. They found that increasing age was associated with a reduction in plasma HCO-3 and PCO2, and with an increase in H+. According to the study authors, this is “indicative of a progressively worsening low-level metabolic acidosis.”1

Because the data showed that metabolic acid levels increase with age, the researchers extrapolated that acidosis may in fact play a role in “diseases” associated with aging.1

It also plays a role in degeneration of bone, and it is reversible with an alkalizing diet, as the next study shows.

Study #2: Diet Reduces Bone Loss By Neutralizing Acidosis

The Agricultural Research Service (ARS) released several studies indicating that consuming large amounts of calcium may not be the “magic bullet” in reversing bone loss. So researchers set out to find what would protect bone and reverse that.

As explained in the Osteoporosis Reversal Program, the scientists noted that fruits and vegetables are metabolized to bicarbonate, which is the biochemical essence of an alkalizing effect. Most people in the U.S.A, however, consume the complete opposite diet, which prompted the study authors to note the following:

“…the typical American diet is rich in protein and cereal grains that are metabolized to acid, and thus are acid-producing. With aging, such diets lead to a mild but slowly increasing metabolic ‘acidosis.’”2

They arrived at this and other conclusions by conducting a placebo-controlled study of 78 healthy volunteers over the age of sixty. The volunteers were divided into two groups: one group was given potassium bicarbonate and the other sodium bicarbonate in addition to their regular diet and activity level. The amount of potassium or sodium bicarbonate coincided with what would normally be found in about nine servings of fruits and vegetables daily.

The two groups were evaluated for specific biomarkers that indicate bone loss and fracture, and the results compared to a control group of 84 people who were of comparable age and activity level. In addition, to reduce variation in outcome, the researchers tightly controlled key bone mineral nutrients in the bicarbonate groups.

The bicarbonate-consuming group had significantly fewer of the telltale biomarkers than the control group, leading researchers to conclude that increasing consumption of alkalizing foods “merits further study as a safe and low-cost approach to improving skeletal health in older men and women.”2

But if you’re following the Osteoporosis Reversal Program, you already know this, because the Program is based on other studies that confirm this, but have been ignored by the Medical Establishment.

Study #3: Potassium Bicarbonate (Found In Fresh Produce) Reduces Calcium Loss

Published in The Journal of Endocrinology and Metabolism in 2008, this double-blind, placebo-controlled trial involved 171 men and women aged 50 or older who were given either a placebo or 67.6 millimoles (1/1000th of a mole) of potassium bicarbonate, sodium bicarbonate, or potassium chloride for three months. They all took 600mg of calcium triphosphate and 525IU of Vitamin D3 daily.

At the beginning and end of the study, volunteers had their calcium and N-telopeptide levels measured. N-telopeptide is a biomarker used to measure the rate of bone turnover, in both serum and urine; in this study, urinary calcium and N-telopeptide levels were evaluated. The scientists wrote the following in their conclusion:

“Bicarbonate, but not potassium, had a favorable effect on bone resorption and calcium excretion. This suggests that increasing the alkali content of the diet may attenuate bone loss in healthy older adults.”3

Remember that fruits and vegetables are metabolized to bicarbonate following consumption, so they have a direct alkalizing effect on the body’s pH.

Elaborating on the findings, the study goes on to state that:

“An acidic environment affects bone in several ways. It inhibits osteoblastic activity, increases osteoclastic activity, and may also increase bone resorption by a direct, noncellular physiochemical process.”3

In contrast, acidogenic diets, which are high in protein and other acidifying foods, have the opposite effect, inducing calciuria (high urinary calcium) that can be reduced upon ingestion of alkaline potassium salts.4 This sheds light on the impact of potassium on calcium balance due to potassium’s ability to reduce calcium excretion.5

Additionally, high potassium intakes via diets rich in fruits and vegetables are associated with increased bone density in the femoral neck and lower biochemical markers of bone turnover in adult women.6

This is precisely the same clinical nutrition, bone-building strategy of the Osteoporosis Reversal Program, and it’s in direct opposition to the mainstream belief that animal protein and dairy (especially milk) are the primary bone builders. In fact, as the next study shows, diets that emphasize animal protein are associated with kidney stone formation and calcium excretion.

Study #4: A Diet Rich In Animal Protein Increases Calcium Excretion

Different types of dietary protein have various effects on health, including bone health. Scientists investigated this concept in a 1988 study, in which participants were evaluated for three separate dietary sessions lasting 12 days each. During one session, they consumed vegetable protein; during the second, vegetable and egg protein; and during the third, animal protein.

Interestingly, the diets were congruent with respect to potassium, sodium, calcium, magnesium, and phosphorous as well as protein quantity. But the dietary sessions had progressively higher acid content.

Scientists found a correlative relationship between increased dietary acid and calcium excretion, noting that:

“The inability to compensate for the animal protein-induced calciuric response may be a risk factor for the development of osteoporosis.”7

And that’s not all. In study subjects on the animal protein diet, the researches found that “oxalate excretion was lower than during the vegetarian diet,”7 and the risk for uric acid stones increased.7

Protein Is Not Forbidden On The Osteoporosis Reversal Program

Please don’t construe that all protein is bad, or that animal protein is off-limits while you’re on the Program. In fact, animal protein contains an amino acid called methionine, that when consumed in moderation, actually helps build bone; but in excess, it can cause bone loss. So healthful meats (such as free-range chicken or grassfed beef) are intended to be consumed as a balanced part of a meal, which means it should not make up the bulk of it.

This is what the Osteoporosis Reversal Program has been advocating all along. As these studies show (and they’re only a small sample of many studies that prove the same!) , solid research on this has been published for decades – notice how some of the studies go back to the 1980s. Yet few (if any) doctors will ever mention any of this information, much less recommend an osteoporosis treatment based on it.

Why not, you might ask? The answer is as simple as the concept of proper nutrition for your bones: in Medical School, doctors are taught to prescribe drugs for ailments, and this is further reinforced by Big Pharma. You see, only patentable drugs can enter the prescription drug market, and foods can’t be patented. Sadly, Big Pharma is clearly succeeding at this. Throughout the decades, the Medical Establishment has shown a clear preference to select research that allows them to increase the number of prescription drugs.

The Osteoporosis Reversal Program Brings You The Truth About Osteoporosis And The Most Effective, Safest Way To Reverse It

In contrast to the Establishment, at the Save Institute we’re committed to bringing you information that empowers you to make your own bone health decisions. You can be confident in the fact that the Osteoporosis Reversal Program is evidence-backed with solid, time-tested data extracted from more than 200 scientific studies published in mainstream journals. This flies in the face of the pharmaceutical model that dominates the medical landscape, where drugs are prescribed to cover up symptoms and not tackling the root cause. To make matters worse, the Establishment seems to turn a blind eye to the often dangerous side effects caused by the drugs.

Instead, the Osteoporosis Reversal Program reveals and explains the true cause of osteoporosis, as further confirmed by the above studies, and offers a natural, effective protocol to treat osteoporosis and osteopenia without the harmful drugs.

In short, with the Osteoporosis Reversal Program, the benefits are scientifically proven and far-reaching.

Stop Worrying About Your Bone Loss

Join thousands of Savers from around the world who have reversed or prevented their bone loss naturally and scientifically with the Osteoporosis Reversal Program.

Learn More Now →

Till next time,

References:

1 Frassetto, Lynda and Sebastian, Anthony. “Age and Systemic Acid-Base Equilibrium: Analysis of Published Data.” The Journals of Gerontology. 51A. 1. (1996): B91-B99. Web. February 21, 2017. https://academic.oup.com/biomedgerontology/article/51A/1/B91/586331/Age-and-Systemic-Acid-Base-Equilibrium-Analysis-of

2 “Neutralizing Acidosis And Bone Loss Among Mature Adults.” Science Daily. (2009). Web. https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/01/090131124439.htm

3 Dawson-Hughes, Bess, et al. “Treatment with Potassium Bicarbonate Lowers Calcium Excretion and Bone Resorption in Older Men and Women.” The Journal of Endocrinology and Metabolism. 94. 1. (2008): 96-102. Web. https://academic.oup.com/jcem/article-lookup/doi/10.1210/jc.2008-1662

4 Sebastian, A. and Morris, Jr R.C. “Improved mineral balance and skeletal metabolism in postmenopausal women treated with potassium bicarbonate.” N Engl J Med. 331:279 (1994).

5 Jones, J.W., et al “Systemic and renal acid-base effects of chronic dietary potassium depletion in humans.” Kidney Int. 21. (1982): 402–410.

6 Macdonald, H.M., et al. “Low dietary potassium intakes and high dietary estimates of net endogenous acid production are associated with low bone mineral density in premenopausal women and increased markers of bone resorption in postmenopausal women.” Am J Clin Nutr 81. (2005): 923–933.

7 Breslau, Neil A., et al. “Relationship of Animal Protein-Rich Diet to Kidney Stone Formation and Calcium Metabolism.” 66. (1988): 140-146. Web. https://academic.oup.com/jcem/article-lookup/doi/10.1210/jcem-66-1-140

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Comments on this article are closed.

  1. Helen Balis

    Hi Vivian,
    Thank you so much for educating us about osteoporosis. I have been following the Save Our Bones program for 2 years and my bone density has improved slightly.
    I am interested in the article you posted about alkaline potassium salts helping to decrease calcium excretion. My 24 hour urin tests continue to show high calcium but blood levels are normal.
    How much alkaline potassium salts would be helpful and what brand would you recommend?
    Helen

  2. Annabelle

    Thank you Vivian for keeping us up-to-date with your interesting and informative news.

  3. Sue Dickinson

    Hello Vivian,

    Thank you for this ongoing education and information. I have a question which specifically relates to a condition called systemic mastocytosis, a proliferation of mast cells in the body. Do you know about it?

    I am from Australia and am part of a group which provides education and support to those who suffer from this disease. Osteoporosis is a common secondary symptom of systemic mastocytosis due to the infiltration of mast cells in bone marrow and bone, and the release of histamine ( called degranulation, as in anaphylaxis) and other pro inflammatory agents such as cytokines, that disrupt the osteoblast/osteoclast partnership. I have severe osteoporosis after 11 years post diagnosis of systemic mastocytosis, and do not wish to take medications such as bisphosphonates, despite pressure from the doctors. I have been following your programme for the past year.

    My question is: Is there more that we mastocytosis sufferers can do to naturally ‘treat’ this secondary problem of osteoporosis? Most of us take antihistamines and some other drugs to keep the histamine load under control, but this does not always work. My research is ongoing, and any information you could supply would be greatly appreciated.

    Many thanks for your dedication and support.

    Sue

    • Save Institute Customer Support

      Hi Sue,

      Please check your inbox for a message from customer support. 🙂

  4. Mary

    I would recommend taking Vitamin K2 (MK 7) along with D3 to help keep the calcium in the bones where it is beneficial and out of the blood where it is unwelcome.

    Most of us do not get enough sunshine for adequate D so supplementation along with K2 might be very useful.

  5. Hadas

    Tank you for the help full advice, and educational articles. I’m stop taking evista and fosomax that I was taking it for eight years,but I have fatty liver and my goal blunder was removed, do you think the food for save our Bones affect my liver? and I have high protein in my blood a Dr. told me it will cause bone cancer,So how can I lower the protien in my blood? Please help me and I need couch communicat all the time.

  6. Steve Lewisa

    “A Diet Rich In Animal Protein Increases Calcium Excretion” – I looked into this and it seems to be an acccepted conclusion. BUT, conversely, it also seems that dietary protein increases absorbtion of Calcium as well, so it’s a wash? We get more and excrete more with certain proteins

    And there is this review: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21102327
    Also you can read similar articles from there in the right column.

    I’m not trying to refute that a vegetable heavy diet will be helpful, just wanting to make sure we are using our best current knowledge to guide the program and wondering if there’s something I’m missing.

    I hope this is acceptable to post here and that the program guidelines can evolve as our knowledge base increases. The issue is serious and people need somebody like you to help us sort through the confusion, misinformation and especially the financial bias in medicine to get current best knowledge and practices.

    Thanks for doing this!

    • Vivian Goldschmidt, MA

      Thank you, Steve, for your feedback. It’s absolutely appropriate to post links like the one you’ve shared – I love to see the community have in-depth discussions on bone-health topics, and sharing other points of view is essential. 🙂

      Protein does indeed have a place in bone health. In fact, it’s crucial – but the key is the amount and type of protein, and even the time of day you eat it! You might like to read about another study on the timing of protein intake and insight into its role in bone health here:

      https://saveourbones.com/one-minor-tweak-to-your-diet-can-make-a-major-difference-to-your-bones/

      There are other posts on this topic on the Save Our Bones site, all backed by research. Here are a few more you might enjoy reading:

      https://saveourbones.com/proven-excessive-animal-protein-consumption-hurts-more-than-just-your-bones/

      https://saveourbones.com/debunking-the-protein-builds-muscles-myth-and-what-you-should-eat-instead/

      https://saveourbones.com/4-scientific-secrets-to-live-longer-and-build-your-bones/

      Keep thinking and exploring!

      • Dan

        Sorry that my 1st replay is contradictory on the subject of animal protein but the links above reflect an opinion (“backed by research”) – not solid evidence, as they link to internal info as opposed to external scientific papers. Plus, the articles (and research as well and I’ve done tons of reading) tend to generalize and assume that all meat eater follow the SAD diet; I for one do not and follow a fairly low Carb and high fat diet. And as far as recommended cruciferous vegetables to those with hypothyroid in general and Hashimoto in particular, the data is very conflicting. Therefore, isn’t the best way to know for sure is to abstain for 3 month, to run blood test, to eat the for 3 months and to run blood tests again? Same for stone fruits, Flex seeds and legumes. I arrived at this site while searching the effects of T3 and T4, following a bone density test that indicate that I developed osteopenia. This is of particular concern to me, since I have Hashi and G6PD deficient and since it became active, I am anemic and with relatively high ferritin levels. My protein intake is modest and is based on free range organic eggs, grass fed butter, fresh and caned sardines in olive oil, fresh wild fish and sea food when I can (oysters, calamari), Cheddar and Gouda cheese and I supplement with Vitamin D (in MCT oil), K7 and magnesium. Thank you!

        • Dan

          I forgot to comment on something that I became aware of following my recent diagnosis: the associated effects of corticosteroid inhalers (Fluticasone and Flixotide for example) on bone density. I’ve used Flixotide long time ago and Fluticasone for the last 2 or so years and consider my level of physical activity, I definitely think it’s related. I will know better following my blood work which include a “bench jones”, immunoglobulin battery, PROT. Electroph etc….lets hope it’s all negative. Question: how long does it take for osteopenia & Osteoporosis to develop? Thanks again… I hope I didn’t came across a harsh in my earlier comment (-:

  7. Irene Osgood

    ….Thanks for this report! Maybe I’ll get the hang of it all soon!

    • Vivian Goldschmidt, MA

      You’re welcome, Irene! I am glad you found it helpful.

  8. Kris Knight

    Hello! I am concerned and I am hoping for reassurance, puleeeze?!!! Back in 2009, I was diagnosed with osteoporosis. I will turn 62 yrs. old in April this year. My MD put me on Fosomax, which I took religiously for two years. I stopped taking it without my doctor’s knowledge as I knew he would give me a hard time, but I felt in my heart of hearts that it was not healthy or helping me. How right I was!!!! So, I have taken no pharmaceutical meds since 2011, but I am worried about the damage that I caused during those 2 years?!!!! Will my bones be able to regrow okay now?!! Thank you so much for easing my frustration about what I did to myself, although inadvertently, as I trusted my MD.

    • Save Institute Customer Support

      Hi Kris,

      Please check your inbox for a response from Customer Support. ?

  9. Billie Maben

    I have been diagnosed osteopina/osteoporosis. I have in the past taken fosomax/Boniva(took myself off some yrs ago.) May dr. at the time suggested I take 2000 mgs. calcium hydroxyapatite microcrystalline along w/impact exercises. I try and take @least that amt of calcium and do treadmill. How do I really know the exact amt of calcium intake in pills? My last dexa I was told to continue doing what I was doing no extra meds needed.

    • Save Institute Customer Support

      Hi Billie,

      Please check your inbox for a response from Customer Support. 🙂

  10. job

    What kind of whey is good and how do you get this into your diet?

  11. Suzy

    I can’t thank you enough, Vivian, for your continued good work in this field. “Big Pharma” takes all the attention and glory, but it’s the little guys like you that can give us the REAL information we need to “save our bones.” Bless you for sharing it all with us!
    – Suzy

    • Vivian Goldschmidt, MA

      You’re welcome, Suzy. It’s amazing how simple the truth is once you cut through the complications!

  12. Claudia

    How about pea protein? Pumpkin seed protein? Are they alkaline? I need some additional protein but can’t use whey protein powder because any dairy product causes problems except in very small amounts widely spaced.

    • Vivian Goldschmidt, MA

      Hi Claudia,

      While many people with lactose/dairy sensitivities can tolerate whey, that may not be the case. The reason I recommend whey is because of its ability to synthesize glutathione, so you can’t just substitute another protein powder. Pea protein is alkalizing; pumpkin seed protein is likely alkalizing, and they have health benefits of their own that are not the same as whey.

  13. Claudia

    I travel a lot and at times it’s impossible to eat correctly because no alkaline foods are available. (Not to mention dinners at friends’ houses and similar situations.) I do take food with me as much as possible, eat in advance and put a green smoothie in the car when I can, but that isn’t always possible in remote spots.

    Your excellent article this morning it brought up a couple of questions I have had for a long time.

    1) When I am in one of these impossible eating situations would it work to take a pinch or so of baking soda to help achieve a better Ph balance? That would be very easy to carry along. I know it’s very high in sodium, but if I am lower in my sodium intake otherwise it seems as though that might be a good “emergency” measure when it’s several meals or several days in a row.

    2) I have wondered about using baking soda to replace the salt in some recipes that I love but are hard to balance – especially homemade snack bars that I dehydrate to take along on longer trips, or hikes, or take for a day when I know good snacks won’t be available and the more obvious alkaline snacks are impossible to bring. If it is ok in the recipe, would that work?

    I just resisted the usual “You need to be on drugs.” talk with my doctor YESTERDAY so it’s all in the forefront of my mind. (Even though I am not in the osteoporosis range but she said I was “too close for comfort.” Her comfort I guess – not mine. 🙂

    • Vivian Goldschmidt, MA

      Hi Claudia,

      First of all, keep up the good work – not only are you exercising regularly, but you’re also thinking things through quiet thoroughly. Good for you!

      As far as baking soda goes, it is an essential and powerful alkalizing element, but I don’t advise using baking soda on its own. For it to be effective, it must be combined with other important alkalizing elements that promote digestion. Baking soda alone will simply neutralize stomach acid and impair digestion. Plus you have to be very careful with the dosage due to its high sodium content, which you are aware of. But if you want to add a little to a snack or something of that nature, and you do so just every now and then when you are “in a pinch,” that shouldn’t cause any harm.

      Another way to add alkalizing foods to your snacks is to carry raw almonds with you. They are portable, alkalizing, and contain lots of bone-smart nutrients (baking soda does not). 🙂

      • Claudia

        Thank you for the very helpful answers!!! I really appreciate it.

        I do take almonds as well as make my own pills from commercial or homemade dehydrated greens powders to use in a pinch. I am thinking about freeze dried packaged things since sealed, packaged foods can usually be brought into any country and my homemade things can’t at times. Freeze dried would be light too. I’m also experimenting with quinoa based dehydrated snacks.

  14. Marlene

    Good morning Vivian,
    Thank you very, very much for sharing these EXCELLENT
    information.
    Have a wonderful day.
    Marlene

    • Vivian Goldschmidt, MA

      You are welcome, Marlene!

  15. Carolyn Jolly

    In your opinion, how often is it okay to eat animal protein?

    • Vivian Goldschmidt, MA

      That’s a good question, Carolyn. The first part of the answer is to choose natural, organic, free-range, grass-fed animal protein whenever possible, and that includes animal products like eggs and plain yogurt. The next thing is to incorporate that into an 80/20 (alkalizing/acidifying) diet, and include animal protein in to the 20% (the exception is plain yogurt and other fermented dairy, which is alkalizing). How often you do that is up to you; healthy meat can be added in to one or more pH-balanced meals a day, or just once a week. It really depends on the individual. 🙂

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