Gillian McKeith's Food Bible (292 page)

Antacids containing aluminum.

Genetic disposition.

Inflammatory bowel disease.

Crohn’s disease.

Too much sugar.

Lack of exercise.

Action plan

Increasing mineral assimilation is key to preventing an acceleration of the problem.

EAT/DRINK

Fruits and vegetables. These aid mineralization of the bones. They are also rich in vitamin C and boron, a trace mineral also needed for healthy bones.

Green vegetables for magnesium, the calcium mobilizer. It is more critical than even calcium for the bones. Green vegetables contain magnesium, calcium, and vitamin K, all of which are needed for healthy bones. So you can go for watercress, cabbage, broccoli, lettuce, arugula, alfalfa sprouts, brussels sprouts, dandelion greens, green herbs, collard greens, seaweed, and kale, which will give you a good dose of calcium as well as magnesium and vitamins K and C. Without magnesium, calcium cannot be absorbed into bone.

Nuts and seeds, which are also excellent sources of calcium and other bone nutrients, particularly almonds, sesame seeds, and raw shelled hemp seeds.

Seaweed: wakame, kombu, nori, and agar for calcium. Wakame is known as the woman’s seaweed because of its calcium content. Substitute fresh wakame for lettuce in sandwiches. You can mix any seaweed into soups, stews, and casseroles. Seaweed also nourishes the thyroid gland. The thyroid gland, which governs metabolism, plays an essential role in controlling bone turnover. If it isn’t working properly, the result could be bone loss.

Foods high in essential fats, which are vital for healthy bones. Good sources include oily fish, pumpkin seeds, raw shelled hemp seeds, and sunflower seeds.

Beans (try kidney beans) and a grain called quinoa, which is not only rich in calcium but is also an excellent protein food.