For the first time, researchers in a major study have verified that neutralizing your net acid load through diet and supplements — or “alkalizing” — actually builds bone density and reduces fracture risk among healthy adults.
Not only does the study confirm what I’ve been saying about an alkalizing diet for years, the data is quite impressive!
Here’s a little more about the study: researchers divided healthy adults (age 65 and older) into two groups. One group received a daily alkalizing treatment of 60 mEq potassium citrate, which is equivalent to 2,346 mg of potassium a day (or roughly one-half the total daily recommended potassium intake of 4,700 mg). Both groups received moderate calcium and vitamin D supplementation.
At the end of this two-year study, those who supplemented with the high dose potassium citrate experienced an increase in bone density at several sites on their bodies when compared to the placebo group. In addition, those taking the alkalizing potassium citrate experienced a strengthening of bone micro architecture. And it gets even better because researchers can also project a reduction in the rate of subsequent fractures through this net acid load neutralization.
• While most of us need to increase potassium intake, we need to choose an alkalizing form of potassium, such as potassium citrate obtained from fruits, vegetables, nuts and seeds.
• In studies, researchers use high dose potassium supplements, but in real life food should be your main source of potassium. That’s because high dose potassium supplementation has several contraindications and should only be used under a doctor’s supervision
• To meet the recommended and bone-building intake of 4,700 mg potassium a day, try to eat 13 one-half cup servings of fruits, vegetables, nuts and seeds a day, as recommended in The Alkaline for Life® Diet.
• If you aren’t able to alkalize with diet alone, consider using a specially formulated alkalizing, bone-building mineral formula, such as my Better Bones Buildermultivitamin/mineral, or add a safe alkalizing agent like potent C buffered ascorbate.
• Know how alkaline your body is. Remember, you can test your alkaline balance by using our simple pH testing system with my Better Bones pH test kit.
I’m happy to report that it’s becoming more and more popular to take advantage of the benefits of an alkalizing diet. In fact, you should watch for an update to my book The Acid Alkaline Food Guide to be released in September. It includes the latest information about the alkalizing effect of 99 new foods, and takes on some of the common myths about an alkalizing diet. It’s a great little book to keep handy.
Reference:
Jehle, S., Henry N. Hulter, Reto Krapf. 2012. Effect of potassium citrate on bone density, microarchitecture, and fracture risk in healthy older adults without osteoporosis: A randomized controlled trial. Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism, doi: 10.1210/jc.2012-3099. URL: http://jcem.endojournals.org/content/early/2012/11/14/jc.2012-3099.abstract (accessed 08.01.2013)