Yes, it IS possible to reverse osteoporosis! The body wants to have strong bones. All we have to do is help the body do what it was created to do. Here are 10 ways to do just that!
1) Find a substitute for drinking sodas. Carbonated drinks acidify your blood. The body must then neutralize the acid so that your blood can function as it should, and one way it does that is by pulling calcium from your bones! It took me a year to give up soda completely, but I don’t miss it anymore. I now enjoy the benefits of drinking bottled water, ice water with lemon, and a variety of herbal teas. Once a week, I also enjoy a glass of Perrier!
2) Find a substitute for drinking coffee. Both caffeinated and decaffeinated coffee deposit huge amounts of acid your blood, causing the body to rob your bones of calcium in order to neutralize the acid. In addition, caffeine puts a strain on the adrenal glands by causing a cortisol response–stress response– in the body. Instead of coffee, I enjoy a variety of herbal teas, often with tart cherry juice, lemon juice, or Beyond C powder for added flavor.
3) Reduce emotional stress from work overload. Remember: It is not how much work you accomplish during the day that makes you valuable. It is the LOVE with which you do whatever you do during the day. There is nothing wrong with doing less things, but doing them well. Doing something well is worthy.
4) Collect recipes that eliminate dairy products. Now, before you scream at me that this is impossible, let me say that a year ago I thought so, too. In fact, I used to cry at night because I missed yogurt and cheese so much. It may seem hard to believe, but I don’t even miss them now! It can be the same for you, if you substitute a positive Ph foods for these negative, acidifying products. (No, milk does NOT do a body good!) Check out my recipes for starters!
5) Increase stress to the spine and hip bones! Increasing stress to the bones tells to bones to build bone density. You can walk 30 minutes a day, rebound for 5-20 minutes, work out with weights, stretch and bend–it’s all good for reversing osteoporosis.
6) Let your plate celebrate the wearing of the green! Green vegetables, such as kale, collards, and broccoli, are high in calcium and help alkalinize the blood for better bone building.
7) Sleep 8 hours every night–or as close to it as you can. Why? Lack of sleep leads to that cortisol response in the body that we spoke of earlier. The body simply does not build and repair well when it is in tensed for “fight or flight”.
Take supplements as needed for healing and maintenance of body systems. Dr. Rogers has changed what my list of supplements as my recovery has progressed. Eight months ago, he had prescribed 3 grains of thyroid hormone (NOT Synthroid) per day, along with MedCaps T3* (from Xymogen), which “features targeted nutrients and herbs that support healthy hormone synthesis.” Last month, Dr. Rogers reduced the prescription to 1 grain of thyroid hormone per day, as my thyroid is healing. Other supplements have been added to the original list. I’ll update the list later this week.
9) Enjoy 20 minutes per day of direct exposure to natural sunlight. Not just your face and hands–we’re talking 50% skin exposure. It’s hard to do in winter, but where there’s a will, there’s a way. Direct sunlight helps the body to assimilate Vitamin D, which helps the body to build strong bones.
10) Most important: Take your own healthy food with you wherever you go! This country’s groceries stores and restaurants are simply loaded with enticing, enemy foods that are loaded with acid-producing agents that will destroy your bones, if you give in. Protect yourself by keeping friendly foods with you at work, at play, to parties, and even to restaurants! What to pack? Raw almonds, sunflower seeds, an apple, baby carrots, cherry tomatoes, bottled water, and a package of herbal tea. It all fits in a standard, insulated lunch box. This emergency stash of positive pH treats has saved me repeatedly from giving in to the temptation to drink coffee or eat fried foods or sugary treats that would acidify my blood and cause bone decay.
The body wants to have strong bones. Working WITH your body, you CAN reverse osteoporosis, while improving your overall health and happiness!
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Tags: Foundations
Great article!
I just got bone scan results back- not good. I have a year to make changes and avoid medication. I’m starting to do many of the things you mentioned. I miss the coffee but I’ve been drinking Kukicha twig tea which supposedly is alkaline and has very minimal caffein. I’ve been on an essentially vegan way of eating and have found some very good recipes which I’d be happy to share with you. I’m using a rebounder every day and I’m going to buy a weighted jacket. I’m also minimizing wine which I also miss. Have you given that up to? I have also lost weight which is good. Thanks for your advice and support.
Judy
Hi, Judy. Wow! You’ve really worked hard to make positive changes in your lifestyle! I’ve never heard of Kukicha twig tea, but if I can find some, I’ll try it. Yes, I long ago gave up alcohol; I rarely miss it anymore. But I still often miss coffee and popcorn. My overall health is so much better, though, that I consider it a more-than-even trade.
My next Dexascan is coming up in November, and I am hopeful of improvement there, too. However, I am trying to keep my expectations realistic. I’ve been reading the book, THE MYTH OF OSTEOPOROSIS, and I’ve come to understand that different nationalities and body types have different average bone densities, but that these differences are not taken into account in the DXA report. I am a small-boned woman of Irish descent, and so I should not expect my bone density to be a high as the average. Rather than focusing on comparing my T-scores and Z-scores to those of the general population, I will focus on comparing my own scores to those of a year ago and two years ago. If you get a chance to read the book, you may feel more confident about the strength of your bones. Bone density is only one measure of bone characteristics, and it is not the best predictor of future bone fractures! I was very surprised to read this. As soon as I finish the book, I will publish a review of it on this website. Congratulations on your spirit and your progress!
Kathy
Thanks, Ryan!
Love,
Mom
I am 48 and was told today I have osteoperosis. Dr. said I have lost 30% of bone. I was saddened and upset by it. He wants me to get on Fosomax but I have done my research and it is not safe to take it. I need someone to help me on how I should rebuild my bone the natural way. Can you please write me back. Thank you
Hello, Abi. Yes, switching to an 80% alkaline / 20% acid diet, along with weight bearing exercise and sunlight helps the body to rebuild bone. Remember, too, that after childbearing years, a woman’s body does not need the same level of bone density as before and that bone density is not even the best indicator of bone strength. Please read through articles in the Daily Diet category for menu ideas. You can also look in the Recipes and Weekly Workout articles for more information. If you have more questions, please feel free to write me back.
God bless you,
Kathy
Hi Kathy i was told i had a moderate case of osteoporsis. My Dr. wants me to go on Fosomax, but i read all the side effects and there not good. Im reading about alkaline diet and i wonder if you can really reverse bone loss. I hope i can. Thanks Bernadette
You can do it, Bernadette! Weight-bearing exercise and an 80% alkaline/20% diet along with daily sunlight can make it happen. I will keep you in my prayers.
Kathy
What kind of thyroid hormone did you take?
Hi, Jackie. I took Armour Thyroid for several months. Once my thyroid healed and was functioning properly, Dr. Rogers weaned me off the hormone.
Kathy
Well the article is very good to a point some people are not effected by some of the food and drinks like other people. I drink about 2 pots of coffee a day since I join the Navy in 1973 and zero cokes. My last report from the doctor is great other than the problems from a life and near death accident which gave me sezuire. I’m 56 years of age the doctor gave me some type of bone checking examin a week ago and says even recovering from a broken back my bones are fine and the break is heeling.
By the way coffee puts me to sleep, settles my nerves, and helps with the shaking of my hands from the frontal lobe epilepsy. The doctor say coffee does effect some people in reverse. I drink it black strong. But I have to say the teas you mention sound nice because I do drink green tea and peppermint tea in between coffee. And I love greens. In your teas try adding a quarter to half a teaspoon cumin powder twice a day from herbal store not spice from grocery store, it’s good for swelling around joints and wound healing some cancer and a anti toxin.
[...] http://osteodiet.com/2008/01/0.....uild-bone/ http://www.livestrong.com/arti.....cartilage/ [...]
Just had a recent bone density test. I was also told that I have osteo and was told to take fosomax. How “safe” is this? What else can I do to reverse the need for this?
Ginny, Fosamax has a long list of side effects, and the list is growing! Here’s a link to an informative link on the subject: http://osteodiet.com/2009/01/0.....al-cancer/
It is possible to reverse osteoporosis naturally…and the only side effect is improved health! Adopting the OsteoDiet (80% alkaline / 20% acid), daily sunlight (20 minutes), weight bearing exercise, stress reduction, and adequate sleep make the difference. You can do it!
God bless you,
Kathy
Hi, I have osteopenia and I also take levothyroxine .112mg daily for under active thyroid and carbamazepine 400 mg daily for epilepsy and I’ve been told both of these drugs deplete bone density. I had a great grandmother with a football size goiter so I’m not going there by getting off medication. Are there any alternatives to these drugs. In regard to drinking tea can I drink english breakfast tea? caffeinated or decaffeinated? When you talk of weight bearing exercises which exercises specifically are you talking about? When you talk of walking and then rebounding what does rebounding mean? With beans are you talking obout all beans? When you talk of carbonated drinks I have cranberry juice with a splash of a seltzer type drink and lemon. Is that a problem? Thanks for your input. Regards, Pat
Thank you. I am 46, a mother of two elementary aged children. I had a hysterectomy 7 yrs ago and as of 4 yrs ago, took myself off of all HRT. I had been on compounded HRT for 2 yrs. Today I was told I have osteoporosis and I was a bit frightened. I’ve been reading all afternoon online and am encouraged that I can reverse this with lifestyle changes and prayer! Thank you for your positive encouragement. I am ready to start a new path to better health with the help of my Lord! (PS-I never realized that even decaf coffee is bad for you. So time to switch to hot tea and green teas!)
Amy, I’ve found another wonderful drink at the health food store: Dandy Blend Instant Beverage with Dandelion. It tastes like coffee, but it’s both alkaline and gluten-free! I don’t miss coffee at all since I started drinking it. It’s especially yummy with a little almond milk (also alkaline) in it.
Regarding thyroid health, I’d like to recommend Dr. David Brownstein’s book, Overcoming Thyroid Disorders. You can order it at: https://www.drbrownstein.com/bookstore_Thyroid.php.
As for the other questions, you can find out more by looking through my website, http://OsteoDiet.com. Specifically, however, natural herbal teas that are caffeine free are more alkalizing than caffeinated teas. Weight bearing exercise can refer to walking and running, lifting weights, and more. You might like to check out SaveOurBones.com’s “Densercise” program for simple, yet effective exercises for building bone density. For a list of alkalizing foods, including some types of beans, please click on this link: http://osteodiet.com/2007/08/2.....bone-food/. Also, I have read that up to one glass per day of carbonated waters, like seltzer water, is okay for bone health.
Have a blessed and beautiful day,
Kathy
I read a few articles that mentioned a few studies of women that ate 8 to 10 prunes a day for a year and increased their bond density, it is something to do with the Vitamin K and Potassium in the Prunes, have you heard anything about this and are they ok to eat when focusing on an alkaline diet?
Candy, according to Nutritionist Vivian Goldschmidt of SaveOurBones.com, prunes are the best fruit for bone-building! Here’s the link to her article: http://saveourbones.com/the-pe.....thy-fruit/. Enjoy!