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True or false? Medications are what the body needs to build bones. If you answered “false,” then you’re off to a good start.

What is less known is that calcium isn’t the whole answer either. But if you are bent on taking the drugs, consider this piece of research from the University of Illinois that advises: “Before you start bone-building meds, try dietary calcium and supplements.”

As you read this information about calcium, stay aware that it takes more than calcium to build bones. It also takes vitamins such as K, C and D, minerals such as phosphorus, and amino acids. And these are only examples of the multiplicity of nutrients required for bone building and health.

Beginning with Calcium and Vitamin D

The University of Illinois study found that an effective first course of action is increasing dietary calcium and vitamin D or taking calcium and vitamin D supplements.

“For many people, prescription bone-building medicines should be a last resort,” said Karen Chapman-Novakofski, the university’s professor of nutrition and co-author of a literature review published in a recent issue of Nutrients.

The study reported that adults who increase their intake of calcium and vitamin D usually increase bone mineral density and reduce the risk for hip fracture significantly. These results were often accomplished through supplements, but food is also a good source of these nutrients, she said.

Chapman-Novakofski said that prescription bone-building medications are expensive, and many have side effects, including ironically an increase in hip fractures and jaw necrosis. They should be used only if diet and supplements don’t do the trick.

“Bisphosphonates, for instance, disrupt normal bone remodeling by shutting down the osteoclasts–the cells that break down old bone to make new bone. When that happens, new bone is built on top of old bone. Yes, your bone density is higher, but the bone’s not always structurally sound,” she said.

Avoid the bad salt and get your nutrients from foods

Karen Plawecki, director of the U of I’s dietetics program, recommends a “portfolio diet” that contains a number of nutrients, not just extra calcium and vitamin D. For bone health, the researchers also encourage consuming adequate protein, less sodium, and more magnesium and potassium.

“That can be done by following a diet that’s high in fruits and vegetables, has adequate calcium and protein, and is light on salt,” she said.

Ireland is the only country in Europe with mandatory fluoridation and with more than 70% of its population drinking fluoridated water it is well above the next highest country (UK at 10%). Most European countries do not fluoridate their drinking water and yet according to WHO figures their teeth are no worse than countries that do.

The Irish mandatory fluoridation law went into effect in 1963, and in the 46 years since the government has done NO (zero) health studies on the population – just endless studies on teeth and a completely BOGUS review of the issue called the Fluoridation Forum (2002).

While the epidemiological studies on a connection between fluoridation and hip fractures are mixed, in my view and the view of the National Research Council (NRC, 2006), the weight of evidence of animal studies, clinical trials and the epidemiological studies is that excess fluoride weakens bones making them more brittle and more prone to fracture. The most convincing of the epidemiological studies is the study by Li et al (2001) who showed what  looks like a linear increase in hip fractures in the elderly drinking well water containing above 1.00 ppm, with the rates in the village with 4.3 – 8 ppm triple that of the rate in the 1 ppm village .

The NRC 2006 report requested the EPA Office of Drinking Water to perform a new risk assessment because the Maximum Contaminant Level Goal (MCLG) for fluoride –which is based on the “best” science at the time to provide a safe Maximum Contaminant Level (MCL), the regulatory standard– was not protective of human health.  Both the MCL and MCLG are 4 ppm fluoride.  Two of the adverse health effects NRC wants EPA to re-assess are involved with fluoride’s impact on the bone:

Bone fractures:  “… the majority of the committee concluded that the MCLG is not likely to be protective against bone fractures.” (page 3)

Clinical Stage 2 skeletal fluorosis:  “associated with chronic joint pain, arthritic symptoms, calcification of ligaments, and osteosclerosis of cancellous bones … the committee judges that stage II is more appropriately characterized as the first stage at which the condition is adverse to health. Thus, this stage of the affliction should also be considered in evaluating any proposed changes in drinking-water standards for fluoride.” (pages 170-171)

Thus there is a strong chance that the increased rate of hip fractures (and maybe arthritis rates as well) in Ireland has something to do with the fact that those aged over 46 have had a lifetime of exposure to fluoride (in their water, in their toothpaste, in their tea, and in their Guiness! (see the Nun’s Story on Guiness).

Remember each day approximately 50% of the fluoride ingested is mostly stored in the bone and accumulates there with age. Those with kidney impairment accumulate fluoride even faster.

Hopefully opponents of fluoridation in Ireland will force the government to take a serious look at the hip fracture-fluoridation connection- especially the Green party which is now a junior partner in that government and promised prior to the election that if elected they would end fluoridation!

Reference:

Connett, PhD, Paul, fluoridealert.org

The Sunday Times (Ireland) – April 12, 2009

What do your joints need for optimum health? If you suffer from arthritis, bursitis or chronic disappearance of cartilage, you’ll want to do all you can to improve your joint health.

All joints have this in common: They connect bones, they allow one connected bone structure to move independent of the one they are attached to, and they contain a fluid to buffer the joint against rubbing on the other bone. When the system goes wrong there is inflammation. Hence the suffix “itis,” which means inflammation.

But the problem is when the medical therapy FOCUSES ONLY on the INFLAMMATION and tries to get rid of it. This is because anti-inflammatory drugs, over time, can cause erosion of the very tissues they are trying to protect. And worse. Plus, anti-inflammatories do not rebuild tissue or bone, cartilage, tendons or muscles.

In any case, and even if you are taking drugs for your joints, you may add these food formulas to your daily regimen Because they will offer body the nutritional support it needs.

The idea is not to cure disease, but to offer your body nutritional support:

1. ProMin Complex: 10 tablets a day
2. FishOils: 3 capsules a day
3. InflaPlex: 6 capsules a day
4. GreenNutrients: 6 tablets a day

All these products are available to you in our Online Store. Click here to visit now.

We’re often asked why alfalfa is in NutriPlex’s GreenNutrients, WholeFood Complex and SuperGreens PhytoFood? Alfalfa has been described by many natural health care pioneers as a nutrient-rich food, high in chlorophyll, vitamins and micronutrients.

Alfalfa (scientifically called Medicago) has been around for centuries, and is an often overlooked wonder food, helpful for just about all kinds of health problems caused by nutritional deficiencies. Alfalfa was first discovered centuries ago by Arabian horsemen who, upon feeding it to their livestock, noticed a jump in energy and performance. People who eat alfalfa report similar benefits. But the benefits go deeper. Alfalfa contains protein and vitamins A, B1, B6, C, E, and K. Nutrient analysis demonstrates the presence of calcium, potassium, iron, and zinc. (1999 Healthnotes, Inc.) Alfalfa has more protein than most plant foods. (Davidson)

Alfalfa is well studied by scientific researchers. Animal studies indicate that nutrients within alfalfa can block absorption of cholesterol and prevent the formation of artery plaques. Alfalfa has also been shown beneficial for Hypoestrogen, Menopause, Hot Flashes, Hyperestrogen, Fibrocystic Breasts, PMS, and Breast Cancer.

Because it contains phytoestrogens, one of the most promising uses for alfalfa appears to be in the treatment of hormonal imbalances. Phytoestrogens are not true estrogens, yet they have molecular structures similar enough to estrogen to have balancing effects on hormone-related health issues whether the problem is estrogen levels that are too high or too low.

Alfalfa also appears to lower total cholesterol, triglycerides, low density lipoproteins, (LDL) and very low density lipoproteins (VLDL) while not significantly lowering desirable HDL . This leads to a significant reduction of the total cholesterol/HDL ratios, one of the major predictors of cardiovascular risk. This action appears to be due to the reduced intestinal absorption of both endogenous and exogenous cholesterol. (Reilly)

Alfalfa leaves contain approximately 2–3% saponins.3 Animal studies suggest that these constituents block absorption of cholesterol and prevent the formation of atherosclerotic plaques.4 One small human trial found that 120 grams per day of heat-treated alfalfa seeds for eight weeks led to a modest reduction in cholesterol.5 However, consuming the large amounts of alfalfa seeds (80–120 grams per day) needed to supply high amounts of these saponins may potentially cause damage to red blood cells in the body.6 Herbalists also claim that alfalfa may be helpful for people with diabetes. But while high amounts of a water extract of the leaves led to increased insulin release in animal studies, there is no evidence that alfalfa would be useful for the treatment of diabetes in humans.7

Alfalfa leaves also contain flavones, isoflavones, sterols, and coumarin derivatives. The isoflavones are thought to be responsible for the estrogen-like effects seen in animal studies.8 Although this has not been confirmed with human trials, alfalfa is sometimes used to treat menopause symptoms.

Alfalfa contains protein and vitamin A, vitamin B1, vitamin B6, vitamin C, vitamin E, and vitamin K. Nutrient analysis demonstrates the presence of calcium, potassium, iron, and zinc.

References:

1. Briggs C. Alfalfa. Canadian Pharm J 1994;Mar:84–5, 115.
2. Castleman M. The Healing Herbs. Emmaus, PA: Rodale Press, 1991, 37–9.
3. Leung AY, Foster S. Encyclopedia of Common Natural Ingredients Used in Food, Drugs, and Cosmetics, 2d ed. New York: John Wiley & Sons, 1996, 13–5.
4. Story JA. Alfalfa saponins and cholesterol interactions. Am J Clin Nutr 1984;39:917–29.
5. Molgaard J, von Schenck H, Olsson AG. Alfalfa seeds lower low density lipoprotein cholesterol and apolipoprotein B concentrations in patients with type II hyperlipoproteinemia. Atherosclerosis 1987;65:173–9.
6. Malinow MR, Bardana EJ, Goodnight SH. Pancytopenia during ingestion of alfalfa seeds. Lancet 1981;1(8220 Pt 1):615.
7. Foster S, Tyler VE. Tyler’s Honest Herbal. New York: Haworth Press, 1999, 23–5.
8. Shemesh M, Lindrer HR, Ayalon N. Affinity of rabbit uterine oestradiol receptor for phyto-oestragens and its use in competitive protein-binding radioassay for plasma coumestrol. J Reprod Fertil 1972;29:1–9.
9. Foster S. Herbs for Your Health. Loveland, CO: Interweave Press, 1996, 2–3.
10. Malinow MR, Bardana EJ, Profsky B, et al. Systemic lupus erythematosus-like syndrome in monkeys fed alfalfa sprouts: Role of a nonprotein amino acid. Science 1982;216:415–7.
11. Roberts JL, Hayashi JA. Exacerbation of SLE associated with alfalfa ingestion. New Engl J Med 1983;308:1361.

Additional Sources:

• Healthnotes, 1999.
• Reilly, ND, Paul, Clinical Application: Medicago sativa extracts, Volume 1, Number 1, 1999
• Davidson, Tish, Alfalfa, Encyclopedia of Alternative Medicine , 2007

Italian researchers found that people whose diets are rich in onions, garlic, and other alliums have a much lower risk of several types of cancer than those who avoid the pungent herbs.

Researcher Carlotta Galeone, of the Istituto di Ricerche Farmocologiche “Mario Negri” in Milan, and colleagues say the health benefits of onion and garlic have been touted for centuries, but few studies have been able to prove the benefits.

Pungent Cancer Prevention

In their study, researchers used data from several Italian and Swiss cancer studies to look at the relationship between onion and garlic consumption and cancer at several body sites, including the mouth, larynx, esophagus, colon, breast, ovary, and kidneys.

Overall, consumption of onions ranged from 0-14 portions per week among cancer patients and 0-22 portions per week among those without cancer.

Garlic use was also lower among people with cancer, except for those with cancer of the breast, ovary, or prostate.

Researchers found moderate consumption of onions appeared to reduce the risk of colorectal, laryngeal, and ovarian cancers.

Prostate Protection

What’s more, men who eat garlic, onions, leeks, shallots, scallions, and chives (vegetables of the Allium family) as a regular part of their diets may reduce their risk of developing prostate cancer, according to a study in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute (2002;94:1648–51). While consuming these foods has been associated with a reduction in the incidence of stomach, colon, esophagus, and breast cancers, this is the first study to show that eating these vegetables may also lower prostate cancer risk. Read more on this study by clicking here.

You have to wonder what’s going on here? More active people? Fewer active people? How about poorer nutrition? This is one aspect that doesn’t seem to be on people’s minds. But a biochemical fact is that well-functioning, healthy joints need nutrition just like any other part of your body. Without this nutrition, the entire joint is affected, creating weak joints, bone grinding against bone, ligament weakness, tendon erosion and muscle wasting.

To be fair, when we enter athletes into the equation, we’re looking at faster, stronger, bigger and more aggressive play. This leads to injury, whether from contact or from accidental self infliction.

However, much of the joint replacement in this country is for the elderly who are beset with joint disease, osteoporosis, atrophy of muscles and even drug-induced damage to the musculoskeletal system (anti-inflammatories are to blame for some of these cases).

What’s worse is that America is out of shape, with more and more people weighing in well over what they should when they step on the bathroom scale.

The obese….have twice the rate of hip and knee arthritis as adults with a healthy body weight. Nearly 32% of obese adults have arthritis, as opposed to 16% of those of normal weight and 22% of people who are overweight but not obese.

When you read the article that is linked right here, keep in mind that nutrition is never mentioned. This is one of the biggest reasons for so many joint problems in the first place — doctors are not talking about nutrition. Instead they are putting people under the knife, complaining about obesity and prescribing drugs. So if you’re concerned about your joints, start thinking about your nutrition.

Important Nutrition:

ProMin Complex: 8 tablets a day; FishOils: 3 capsules a day; GreenNutrients: 4 tablets a day

Of course, the right kind of calcium can be very helpful to have on hand, if you have an inquiring mind, you may want to read why and how cramps occur.

Essentially, cramping has to do with the way our bodies are fed signals through the nervous system that will tighten muscles. When protein interacts with calcium in a certain way, you get a cramp. Technically, it goes like this…

Certain mechanisms within the brain and the rest of the central nervous system help regulate contraction. Interruption of these mechanisms can cause spasm. Motor neurons that are overly sensitive may fire below their normal thresholds. The muscle membrane itself may be over sensitive, causing contraction without stimulation. Calcium ions may not be recaptured quickly enough, causing prolonged contraction.

Cramps can happen in one muscle, like the hamstring, or they can happen in a number of muscles together, like in your hands if you have writer’s cramp. They can happen once and then not again, or there can be a series of on-again-off-again cramping.

So what causes the interruptions mentioned above?

 Read more here.

1. Adequate calcium intake (in the presence of adequate vitamin D status) has been shown to reduce bone loss in peri- and postmenopausal women and reduce fractures in postmenopausal women older than age 60 with low calcium intakes. Calcium strongly enhances the bone-protective effects of estrogen/estrogen combined with a progestogen in postmenopausal women. Adequate calcium is considered a key component of any treatment regimen for patients with established osteoporosis. (1)
2. Calcium, like most nutrients, has beneficial effects in many systems. In addition to protection of bone mass and reduction of excessive bone remodeling, calcium is associated with small reductions in the risk of colorectal cancer, hypertension, renal calculi, and obesity.(1)
3. Occasionally, hypercalcemia develops in people with peptic ulcers if they drink a lot of milk and take calcium-containing antacids for relief. The resulting disorder is called the milk-alkali syndrome. An overdose of vitamin D can also affect the calcium level in the blood by greatly increasing the absorption of calcium from the digestive tract.(2)
4. Adequate calcium intake is vital for a baby to develop healthy bones and teeth. A full term baby accumulates about 30 g of calcium in bone mass. A pregnant woman’s diet should include three to four calcium-rich foods per day, including low fat milk and milk products, and dark green leafy vegetables. Many women do not get enough calcium in their diets and a pregnant woman will most likely need to consciously increase her intake. Adequate calcium is especially important for pregnant women aged under 25 as their bones are still increasing in density.
5. Researchers suggest that women who take calcium supplements in pregnancy have children with lower blood pressures. (4)

Are YOU getting enough calcium?
If you’re a typical American, studies say “no,” you and your family are not getting enough calcium in your diets. “Many Americans—particularly men, ethnic minorities, and the socially disadvantaged—are not meeting the current recommendations for adequate calcium intake through diet alone or with supplements.” (3)

SOURCES:
1. The North American Menopause Society. The role of calcium in peri- and postmenopausal women: 2006 position statement of the North American Menopause Society. Menopause 2006 Nov-Dec;13(6):862-77; quiz 878-9. [117 references]‘
2. merck manual online
3. Jun Ma, Rachel A Johns and Randall S Stafford,” Americans are not meeting current calcium recommendations.” American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, Vol. 85, No. 5, 1361-1366, May 2007
4.Matthew W. Gillman, MD, SM, Sheryl L. Rifas-Shiman, MPH, Ken P. Kleinman, ScD, Janet W. Rich-Edwards, ScD, and Steven E. Lipshultz, MD, Maternal Calcium Intake and Offspring Blood Pressure; epartment of Ambulatory Care and Prevention, Harvard Medical School/Harvard Pilgrim Health Care (M.W.G., S.L.R.-S., J.W.R.-E., K.K.), Harvard Medical School, and the Departments of Nutrition (M.W.G.) and Maternal and Child Health (J.W.R.-E.), Harvard School of Public Health, Boston, Mass; and the Department of Pediatrics, University of Miami, Miami, Fla (S.E.L.); pubmedcentral.nih.gov/articlerender.fcgi?artid=1989665

Ancient Arabs praised alfalfa as “the father of all foods.” One of the most nutritious plants, alfalfa contains high levels of vitamins A (beta-carotene), B1, B12, B6, D, E, and K. A good source of protein and fiber, alfalfa is also rich in heart-healthy minerals including calcium, magnesium, iron, potassium, chlorophyll, zinc, niacin, and folic acid.

Barley and alfalfa help to fight modern ills
Brimming with vitamins and minerals, these two bread basket grasses have been touted as the answer to a variety of modern day ills ranging from heart disease to cancer.

Highly alkaline, these green grasses combat thick acidic blood that has been linked to degenerative conditions including heart disease, congestive heart failure, high blood pressure, cancer, and arthritis. Increased alkalinity leads to improved digestion, a higher threshold of pain, improved ability of blood to carry oxygen and nutrients, and inhibition of the growth of cancer cells.

The high-fiber content of barley and alfalfa aids digestion and removes toxins, while digestive enzymes contained in both herbs help the body assimilate nutrients and regulate blood sugar. Both grasses have shown promise in the treatment of diabetes and hypoglycemia and are considered to be the newest weapons in the fight against cholesterol.

Excessive low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol levels are considered a warning sign of heart disease and an indication of a risk of impending heart attack. Studies have shown that both barley and alfalfa contain substances, in addition to fiber, that can dramatically lower cholesterol.

In 1983, U.S. Department of Agriculture researchers in Madison, Wis., isolated a substance called tocotrienol in barley. Tocotrienol deactivates the enzyme that tells the liver to produce artery-clogging LDL cholesterol. Another study found that saponins in alfalfa boost the production of bile acids that absorb cholesterol and carry it out of the body.

While barley and alfalfa share some of the same healing properties, their different levels of beneficial vitamins and minerals make them complementary herbs. They can be taken alone, together, or in combination with other land or sea botanicals, such as cayenne or kelp.

Cayenne can aid effectiveness of barley and alfalfa
Cayenne red pepper is used to power a plethora of herbal blends because it stimulates all systems in the body, including the circulatory and digestive systems. Adding cayenne to alfalfa or barley grass boosts their overall effectiveness since cayenne is a catalyst herb.

As one of the most powerful natural circulatory stimulants, cayenne brings myriad benefits to the mixture. Studies show that cayenne strengthens the pulse, opens blocked arteries, thins the blood, and regulates blood pressure. Among other health benefits, it blocks the absorption of excess cholesterol.

Whether it’s part of a powdered combination, blended in a juice, or eaten as a grain, herbalists and researchers agree, the less processed, the better. Unrefined, whole barley grass and alfalfa contain the most active ingredients for a harvest of health benefits in the fight against modern-day degenerative diseases.

Bibliography for “Barley & alfalfa: two bread basket grasses brimming with nutrients”
Shannon Quinn “Barley & alfalfa: two bread basket grasses brimming with nutrients”. Better Nutrition. March 1997. FindArticles.com. 26 Sep. 2007. http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0FKA/is_n3_v59/ai_19182301
I
REFERENCES
Carper, Jean. The Food Pharmacy. New York: Bantam Books, 1988.
Quinn, Shannon, et al. Death by Deception: Unmasking Heart Failure. Minneapolis, Minn.: R.F. Quinn Publishing, 1996.
Swope, Mary Ruth, M.D. Green Leaves of Barley. Phoenix, Ariz.: Swope Enterprises, Inc., 1994.
COPYRIGHT 1997 PRIMEDIA Intertec, a PRIMEDIA Company. All Rights Reserved.
COPYRIGHT 2004 Gale Group

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Are You Tapped Into the Alfalfa Wonder Food?

Sources of Alfalfa:

SuperGreens PhytoFood

WholeFood Complex

GreenNutrients

Hay is for horses, but if you go back even further in history you’ll see that alfalfa is even better. When people fed alfalfa to their horses centuries ago they discovered the animals became stronger and faster. Then they figured if it’s good for the livestock, then it might be even better for the people. Ever since, alfalfa has been considered somewhat of a wonder food. Alfalfa, to those of us in the Nutrition business, is somewhat of a wonder. Alfalfa has been used by the Chinese since the sixth century to treat kidney stones, and to relieve fluid retention and swelling.

Alfalfa is a perennial herb that grows throughout the world in a variety of climates and its health benefits seem to be continually expanded. The leaves of the alfalfa plant are rich in minerals and nutrients, including calcium, magnesium, potassium, and carotene (useful against both heart disease and cancer).

Alfalfa is a good laxative and a natural diuretic. It is useful in the treatment of urinary tract infections, and kidney, bladder and prostrate disorders. Alkalizes and detoxifies the body, especially the liver. Promotes pituitary gland function and contains an anti-fungus agent. This versatile herb is also a folk remedy for arthritis, diabetes, asthma, hay fever, and is reputed to be an excellent appetite stimulant and overall tonic.
As of recent, alfalfa has been studied for its benefits as a cholesterol-reducer:

“Currently, the most convincing clinical evidence for a medical effect of alfalfa is for controlling cholesterol. In several animal and human studies, alfalfa supplements reduced blood cholesterol levels, particularly for individuals with a specific kind of high cholesterol known as type II hyperlipoproteinemia. Although the exact reasons are not understood completely, fibers and chemicals in alfalfa appear to stick to cholesterol, keeping it from staying in the blood or depositing in blood vessels. More of the harmful types of cholesterol leave the body, while high-density lipoprotein (HDL) — the “good” kind of cholesterol — seems not to be affected.” (drugdigest)

For a plant food it has an amazing amount of protein — 20 percent of its nutrition is protein. Other nutrients include:.

• 20% Protein
• 8 Enzymes
• 13 Vitamins
• Beta Carotene
• Rich source of Vitamin K
• 20% Fiber
• 16 Amino Acids
• 13 Trace Minerals

Which of our products contain alfalfa? Glad you asked:

• SuperGreens PhytoFood
• GreenNutrients
• WholeFood Complex

These products lead the list, but you’ll also find this wonder food in several other of our NutriPlex Formulas whole food supplements.