First it was calcium. Then it was weight-bearing exercise. Then it was vitamin D. And yes, it’s still these (though less calcium lately) —but now there’s a new kid on the bone mineral density block.
Now, consider the dried plum (also known as prunes) to boost your bone health!
A new study out this year showed that postmenopausal women with osteopenia who ate 5 dried plums a day for a year showed an increase in bone density compared to those who did not eat the dried plums.
Prunes are beneficial in preventing osteoporosis for several reasons:
1. They are high in the antioxidant compounds of neochlorogenic and chlorogenic acids that scavenge potentially damaging free radicals which helps to prevent bone loss.
2. Prunes have higher amounts of boron than most fruits–and “boron modulates bone and calcium metabolism, and plays an important role in preserving bone density.
3. And prunes have high amounts of vitamin K which influences bone health by improving calcium balance & promoting normal bone mineralization.
4. Dried plums reduce inflammation–perhaps another reason why they improve bone. The dried plums in this study significantly reduced the C-Reactive Protein (CRP) levels (a measure of inflammation) after 3 months–and this improved level was maintained, thereafter. A high CRP is linked to a number of chronic diseases, including osteoporosis.
By adding dry plums to you daily diet along with using bio-identical hormones you chances of developing osteoporosis will be dramatically reduced.
Terry Pfau DO, HMD