How To Avoid Osteoporosis (A guest blog by Meredith Geller)
Posted by Danny Goldberg on Tue, Jun 14, 2011 @ 03:35 PM
OSTEOPOROSIS. The word osteoporosis literally means "porous bones." It happens when bones lose an excessive amount of their protein and mineral content, particularly calcium. Over time, bone mass and bone strength is decreased and as a result, bones become fragile and break easily.
In the United States, more than 40 million people either already have osteoporosis or are at high risk due to low bone mass.
While we are being inundated with the dangers of not getting enough calcium in our diets (mainly through pasteurized cow dairy), the rest of the world is living healthily on one half of the amount recommended in America. For instance, the Taiwanese average 13 milligrams of calcium per day. They are far from toothless and lying in bed from bone fractures. Instead, they work long, arduous hours in factories that out-produce their North American counterparts.
The countries consuming the greatest amount of calcium through milk products (again, via pasteurized cow dairy) are suffering the most from calcium deficiencies. These countries have the highest incidence of osteoporosis. “A recent study showed that American women aged fifty and older have one of the highest rates of hip fractures in the world. The only countries with higher rates are in Europe and in the South Pacific (Australia and New Zealand) where they consume even more milk than in the United States.” The China Study, T. Colin Campbell.
Why would the countries with an overflowing supply of calcium-laden milk have the highest rate of calcium-deficiency diseases?
There is a simple reason why this is happening:
The acid-alkaline balance.
When the acid-alkaline balance in the body is compromised and we move more towards acidity, the body needs to guard itself.
In response to offset the acidity that acid-forming food creates, the body pulls alkaline minerals (calcium) from the bones to buffer and protect, which is ultimately depleting and over the long-term a major contributor of osteoporosis.
Osteoporosis is therefore a result of the body using it’s own calcium reserves to neutralize the incessant quantities of acidic matter that enter the bloodstream through the foods we eat (as well as the toxicity we are exposed to via the environment: air, water, and radiation, and prescription drugs, which are all acid-forming).
We are utilizing the wrong foods (dairy) to build calcium in the body. What is a superior food source? GREENS! Dark, green, leafy veggies contain an abundant amount of absorbable calcium (especially bok choy). Other sources include: seaweed, figs, sesame seeds, avocado, fresh coconut, and bee pollen.
So despite the recommendations from mainstream doctors and nutritionists to include copious amounts of dairy into one’s diet, there is another side to the story. A compelling and intelligent side. 
My recommendations:
EAT YOUR GREENS!
EXERCISE DAILY!
REDUCE STRESS!
BUILD STRONG BONES!
*For more information on what foods are acid-forming / alkaline forming and how to incorporate into the diet, go to www.meredithgeller.com / info@meredithgeller.com
Osteoperosis can also have severe effects on the spine. If you or someone you love is experiencing back or spine pain of any kind, please contact us to schedule a consultation with one of expert doctors or call 1-855-NJSPINE.