- ALLERGY, RESPIRATORY
- Traffic, Dust Linked to Asthma in Kids
- Molecule in Skin May Link Eczema and Asthma
- Overweight Moms More Likely to Have Asthmatic Kids
- ALTERNATIVE MEDICINE
- Birds Don't Miss a Beat
- Should Your Child Be Seeing a Chiropractor?
- Could Chinese Herb Be a Natural Viagra?
- ANIMAL CARE
- 'Comfort Dogs' Come to Emotional Rescue
- Rest Easy. When It Comes to Swine Flu, Your Pet Is Safe
- Separation Anxiety, Canine-Style
- BONES & JOINTS
- Put Your Best Foot Forward Next Year
- Rheumatoid Arthritis May Harm Gums
- Tips to Ease an Aching Back
- CANCER
- Study Suggests Link Between Cell Phones and Brain Tumors
- Where You Live May Affect Your Cancer Diagnosis
- Omega-3 May Safely Treat Precancerous Bowel Polyps
- CAREGIVING
- Mild Flu Season Coming to a Close
- Older Caregivers Prone to Worse Sleep Patterns
- Health Tip: Benefitting From Adult Day Care
- CIRCULATORY SYSTEM
- Laughter Can Boost Heart Health
- Varicose Veins May Mask Larger Problem
- Mercury in Fish Linked to High Blood Pressure
- COSMETIC
- Gum Chewing May Cut Craving for Snacks
- Science May Banish Bad Hair Days
- What to Do If You Have Unsightly Veins
- DENTAL, ORAL
- Gum Disease Treatment Doesn't Cut Preterm Birth Risk
- Acid Drinks Blamed for Increase in Tooth Erosion
- Amino Acid May Be Key to Strong Teeth
- DIABETES
- Boosting Vitamin D Can Do a Heart Good
- Brown Rice Bests White for Diabetes Prevention
- Study Shows Turmeric May Prevent Type 2 Diabetes
- DIET, NUTRITION
- Weight Loss Might Not Curb Knee Arthritis
- Holiday Eating Without the Guilt -- or the Pounds
- Folic Acid Might Offer Allergy Relief
- DISABILITIES
- Could Your Cell Phone Help Shield You From Alzheimer's?
- Review Finds Marijuana May Help MS Patients
- ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH
- Cats Can Trigger Eczema in Some Infants
- Meat-Eating Dinosaurs Used Legs and Arms Like Birds
- Household Insecticides May Be Linked to Autoimmune Diseases
- EYE CARE, VISION
- Vision Test for Young Children Called Unreliable
- Florida Vision Test Law: Fewer Traffic Deaths Among Elderly
- Diabetic Hispanics Missing Out on Eye Exams
- FITNESS
- Fitness Fades Fast After 45
- The 3LS Wellness Program for Reversing Chronic Symptoms and Creating Lasting Health
- Early Exercise Boosts Outcomes for ICU Patients
- GASTROINTESTINAL PROBLEMS
- Intestinal Bacteria Trigger Immune Response
- Gum Chewing May Speed Colon Surgery Recovery
- Soothing Imagery May Help Rid Some Kids of Stomach Pain
- GENERAL HEALTH
- Deployment Takes Toll on Army Wives
- Smog Tougher on the Obese
- Want Sun Protection? Wear Red or Blue
- HEAD & NECK
- Ski Helmets Encouraged for All
- Zen May Thicken Brain, Thwart Pain
- Many Children Will Outgrow Headaches
- HEALTH & TECHNOLOGY
- 'Cell Phone Elbow' -- A New Ill for the Wired Age
- E-Mailing Your Way to Healthier Habits
- The Internet Is Becoming One-Stop Shopping for Health Help
- HEART & CARDIOVASCULAR
- Chinese Red Yeast Rice May Prevent Heart Attack
- Boosting Vitamin D Can Do a Heart Good
- Omega-6 Fatty Acids Can Be Good for You
- INFECTIOUS DISEASE
- Swine Flu Closes Three Schools in NYC
- Grapefruit Compound Inhibits Hepatitis C Virus
- Swine Flu Is Now a Pandemic Says W.H.O.
- KID'S HEALTH
- Exercise Helps Reduce Falls in Young and Old
- Wood Fires Can Harm the Youngest Lungs
- Stomach Germ May Protect Against Asthma
- MEN'S HEALTH
- Varicose Veins May Mask Larger Problem
- Vigorous Exercise Cuts Stroke Risk for Men, Not Women
- Soy Linked to Low Sperm Count
- MENTAL HEALTH
- Teen Internet Addicts More Likely to Self-Harm: Study
- Keeping a Healthy Holiday Balance
- Estrogen May Help Men's Hearts
- PREGNANCY
- Acupuncture May Relieve Acid Indigestation In Pregnancy
- Woman in America Are Delaying Motherhood, Study Says
- Music of Mozart Soothes the Preemie Baby
- SENIORS
- The Juice From Beetroots May Boost Stamina
- Healthy Diet Could Cut Alzheimer's Disease Risk
- Fitness Fades Fast After 45
Fruits and Veggies May Strengthen Bones
By eHolistic.com Published: 12/12/2008
FRIDAY, Dec. 12 (HealthDay News) -- Eating lots of protein and cereal grains causes excess acid production in the body, experts say, which could increase calcium excretion and result in weakened bones.
However, a new study finds that boosting alkali levels with a pill or by consuming plenty of fruits and vegetables can strengthen bones.
The study included 171 men and women aged 50 and older who were randomly assigned to receive a placebo or doses of either potassium bicarbonate, sodium bicarbonate, or potassium chloride for three months. The people who took bicarbonate showed significant reductions in calcium excretion and bone resorption.
Bone resorption is a process in which bones are broken down to release minerals such as calcium, phosphates, and alkaline (basic) salts into the blood. Increased bone resorption leads to reduced bone mass and increased fracture risk, the study authors said.
The normal diets of many older adults add acid to the body. As people age, they're less able to excrete the acid. Bone resorption is one way the body may try to counteract high acid levels.
However, "When fruits and vegetables are metabolized they add bicarbonate, an alkaline compound, to the body," Dr. Bess Dawson-Hughes, of Tufts University School of Medicine in Boston, noted in an Endocrine Society news release.
"In this study, we demonstrated that adding alkali in pill form reduced bone resorption and reduced the losses of calcium in the urine over a three month period. This intervention warrants further investigation as a safe and well tolerated supplement to reduce bone loss and fracture risk in older men and women," lead author Dr. Bess Dawson-Hughes, of Tufts University School of Medicine in Boston, said in an Endocrine Society news release.
The study is published in the January issue of the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism.
"Heredity, diet, and other lifestyle factors contribute to the problem of bone loss and fractures. When it comes to dietary concerns regarding bone health, calcium and vitamin D have received the most attention, but there is increasing evidence that the acid/base balance of the diet is also important," Dawson-Hughes said.
More information
The U.S. National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases has more about bone health.
-- Robert Preidt
SOURCE: Endocrine Society, news release, Dec. 3, 2008
Last Updated: Dec. 12, 2008
Copyright © 2008 ScoutNews, LLC. All rights reserved.
More articles at www.eholistic.com
