By Madeline Behrendt, D.C.

Back in the kitchen, some quick comments on what we reach for and how they affect bones:

COFFEE – Chemically can create a negative calcium balance. Coffee is also one of the crops most heavily sprayed with pesticides and questions are raised how those hormones can affect bone health. People actually do live without coffee, if that sounds unbearable, many also try organic, drink less or boost up other bone builder factors.

MILK – Innate has designed us to become lactose intolerant (3 of 4 adults), let’s listen. Milk is NOT a preferred calcium source, in fact after 3 generations of milk promotion, osteoporosis has reached epidemic proportions in the West, while in countries where it is not consumed, it hardly exists. Calcium can be found in many user-friendly sources, try there.

SODA – Bubbles and bones don’t mix, studies show it leeches calcium and children consuming soda had low blood calcium levels. Another study reported DOUBLE the urinary calcium loss in teens 13-19 (remember those are the years spent building towards peak bone density.)

JUICE – Natural is best, when calcium is artificially encouraged (as in fortified) reports indicate calcium can be deposited in the wrong place (cardiovascular, kidneys, female organs.)

SHAKE – can be a great start to the day, depending upon what is put in it. Good stuff: organic fruits, almond or other nut butters, rice milk. Have fun experimenting.

WATER – One of the best ways to start the day is with a glass of clean (filtered from chemicals/hormones) water, hot or cold, with lemon. Then on to a good breakfast.