Making the body more alkaline boosts bone density in women and prevents osteoporosis
Research published in the October, 2006 Journal of the American Society of Nephrology looked at the effects of making the body more alkaline on the risk of osteoporosis.
Dr. Reto Krapf of the University of Basel in Switzerland and colleagues conducted a study of 161 post-menopausal women whose average age was 59. Krapf split the women into two groups: The first received a daily supplement of potassium citrate for up to 12 months, and the second was given a daily supplement of potassium chloride for up to 12 months.
The researchers hoped to prove that potassium citrate — a base chemical — could make the body more alkaline and counteract the effects of acidity generally caused by poor lifestyle and dietary choices. Potassium chloride was used in the control group because it is a neutral chemical that does not affect body pH.
After six to 12 months, the researchers conducted bone mineral density tests on the participants’ lower spine and hips. The group taking the potassium citrate (alkaline) supplements experienced a one percent increase in bone mineral density in the lumbar spine area, as well as a one percent increase in bone density in the hips. Conversely, the group taking the potassium chloride (neutral) experienced a one percent loss of bone density at both test sites. The researchers also found that the women taking potassium citrate lost less calcium through their urine than those taking potassium chloride.
The important message here is one which I have discussed in detail in my book ‘Osteoporosis — the Silent Epidemic’ in that we need to eat a more alkaline diet with more fruit and vegetables in order to protect ourselves against loss of bone density and osteoporosis.