Osteoporosis Is NOT A One-Nutrient Disease

Osteoporosis Is NOT a One-Nutrient Disease

First of all, the main reason dairy is recommended by USDA is because of its calcium content, and the main reason calcium is recommended is to prevent osteoporosis. The fallacy in this approach is that osteoporosis is not a single nutrient disease. There are many factors that affect osteoporosis, such as a high intake of animal protein (including dairy protein).Perhaps even more importantly the nations that consume the most dairy products appear to have the most osteoporosis.24 (For a full explanation, see the Eat More, Weigh Less™ Diet.)

Even more worrisome is the fact that in at least one clinical trial to improve calcium balance by adding skim milk, it was found that those drinking milk daily lost more bone than those not drinking milk.26 The high protein content of milk was implicated in causing the calcium to be lost in the urine.

A Better Source of Calcium

Fortunately, nature provides plenty of calcium from other healthier food sources. As we talk about greens and sea vegetables, you'll see that they are far more nourishing sources of calcium than milk. If you know you're not going to eat the greens, then it's reasonable to take a supplement and even nonfat dairy products for calcium provided you are aware that it is not ideal and that there are potential health consequences in doing so.

Watercress Sesame Salad

1 bunch Watercress, cut into 1½" lengths
2C Water, boiling
2 Tbsp. Low-sodium soy sauce
1½ Tbsp. Sesame seed, toasted
2 Tbsp. Rice wine vinegar
2 Tbsp. Green onions including stems, chopped
¼ tsp. Cayenne
1 clove Garlic, minced
¼ tsp. Honey

Place watercress in boiling water and cook for about 4 minutes, rinse and drain thoroughly. Add remaining ingredients and mix well. Chill before serving. Makes 4 portions. (1 portion = 32.3 calories, 1.6 grams fat, 18% protein, 42% carbohydrates, 41% fat)

More to say about Osteoporosis, Calcium, and so forth. To know more about these, make sure you get Dr. Terry Shintani's books especially the latest one, the Peace Diet book. Go get it from Amazon through this link: http://amazon.com/Peace-Diet-Reverse-Obesity-Disease/dp/1508516960