Osteoporosis Miracles? The Produce Dirty Dozen revised

In the last newsletter I wrote about the Bemer 3000 device and claims that it can improve bone density. Many of you who have Bemer machines wrote me to let me know you love your Bemer. That is great, what I have a problem with is the claims specifically about bone. There are simply NO studies to support the claim that the Bemer will increase bone density in a patient who has osteoporosis. The piezoelectric effect (see definition below) has been well studied and can increase the ability for fractures to heal. However, this does not mean that every electrical current or vibration will actually result in bone growth especially in osteoporosis cases.  Until the Bemer undergoes studies with before and after bone density testing of the hip and lumbar spine we simply cannot extrapolate from the current science data that we have.

Piezoelectric effect (PEE) is the property of some materials to convert mechanical energy to electrical current. "Piezo" is a Greek word that means, "to squeeze." Pierre Curie and Jacques Curie first discovered the effect in 1880. Dr. I. Yasuda in 1957 discovered the existence of piezoelectric effect in bones. What is the significance of the PEE? An external electrical stimulation may lead to healing and repair in bone. In addition, the piezoelectric effect in bone may be used for bone remodeling. Dr. Julius Wolff in 1892 observed that bone is reshaped in response to the forces acting on it. This is also known as Wolff's law. While this effect is known in bone it does not mean that any one product will produce a total body response to improve bone density.

Osteodenx - formula for bone

This is a product that the Nikken Corporation produces. It’s main ingredient that is supposed to increase bone density is lactoferrin. I have looked at the studies and remain unimpressed. There are multiple studies looking at animal models where bone markers are used. In the small studies lactoferrin shows changes in the bone markers. This does not mean that this will translate to an increase in bone in humans. There are NO credible before and after bone density exams. When I asked to be furnished with bone density exams of the hip and lumbar spine I was sent ultrasound exams of the heel on several people. The exam appeared to show an increase of 30% in less than 6 months. Either the exams were an artifact or worse. Increasing bone density of 30% would indeed be a huge miracle and painful for the patient – the periostial response of bone building at that level would be very painful.

Lactoferrin definition - an iron-binding protein found in the granules of neutrophils where it apparently exerts an antimicrobial activity by withholding iron from ingested bacteria and fungi; it also occurs in many secretions and exudates, such as milk, tears, mucus, saliva, and bile.

What we can learn

I am on the hunt for products that will truly build bone. One thing to keep in mind is that every person who has osteoporosis is different. For example, perhaps one person with osteoporosis never built up a good bank account of bone to begin with while another person with the exact diagnosis is actively losing bone. To think that any one product will, across the board increase bone density with quality bone is a mistake.

Wednesday night’s webinar - I will share additional thoughts

Build our Bones support group with Dr. Lani  - Starting January

We can build bone with quality nutrition, healthy digestion and exercise. This group will aim to support and guide participants with sound nutritional and exercise information that will help stop bone loss and increase bone. The group will meet one time each week. If you miss one of the meetings it will be recorded so that you can listen at your convenience. I will utilize slides that you will be able to view as we go along and question and answer sessions each class. We will also have special guests that will encourage you and help with the mindfulness and positive mind set needed to deal with osteoporosis.

Meeting time Tuesdays at noon PST

6 weeks – every Tuesday at noon

The Dirty Dozen Fruits and Vegetables revised

The Environmental Working Group has updated their worst of the Dirty Dozen vegetables and fruits that have the most chemical residues when tested. They also include produce that is lowest in pesticides.

In descending order the following fruits and vegetables have the most chemical residues. Spinach crops use over 50 pesticides. Why does this matter? Isn’t it only a tiny amount? First, it is important to understand that many pesticides exhibit hormonal activity. Children are most affected by minute amounts of hormones. It is not the one apple, but rather the cumulative effect over time.

Buy these organic

1. Apples
2. Celery
3. Strawberries
4. Peaches
5. Spinach
6. Nectarines – imported
7. Grapes - imported
8. Sweet bell peppers
9. Potatoes
10. Blueberries – domestic
11. Lettuce
12. Kale/collard greens
13. Cilantro
14. Cucumbers
15. Grapes – domestic

Lowest in pesticides

1. Onions
2. Sweet Corn
3. Pineapples
4. Avocado
5. Asparagus
6. Sweet peas
7. Mangoes
8. Eggplant
9. Cantaloupe – domestic
10. Kiwi
11. Cabbage
12. Watermelon
13. Sweet Potatoes
14. Grapefruit
15. Mushrooms

Support your local farmer’s – buy local.