I have no research evidence that diet alone can reverse bone loss once it has begun.

There is research about bone density exercises and some supplements increasing bone mass as well as research done by drug companies to show the effectiveness of their medications. But if your daily diet is causing your body to be in a state of acidosis so that you are leaching calcium from your bones tokeep your body in balance, your eating patterns are certainly working against your bone building program.

Anyone with Osteopenia or Osteoporosis who wants to reverse boneloss should think about a diet for osteopenia or osteoporosis. If you want to retain and rebuild bone you can not be eating in a way that causes your body to leach calcium from your bones to keep your body chemistry in balance.

If you have Osteopenia or Osteoporosis, it is wise to cut back on acid forming foods (meat, fish, grains, legumes, nuts, soda pop, caffeine ) and increase alkaline foods (vegetables, fruit, dairy). It is also wise to get dietary calcium fromyour food.

Note: I am not advocating that you become vegetarian. We know that fish, in particular, has many beneficial health benefits. It is a question of balance. Be sure that vegetables, fruit and dairy (if you are not lactose intolerant) are a significant part of your diet. And you might consider buying some ph strips so you can check the results of your eating.

You can get 400 milligrams of calcium in: 3 and 1/2 oz of Sardines WITH BONES; 1 cup of Yogurt, plain low-fat; Tofu processed with calcium salts (Do read the label since tofu varies widely).

You can get 300 milligrams of calcium from 1 cup of Milk; 1.5- 2 oz of hard cheese; 1/2 cup of part-skim ricotta cheese; 1/2 cupSalmon, canned WITH BONES; 6 ounces Collard greens ; 1 CUP Soy milk; (Check labels since brands vary); 1 cup Calcium fortified orange juice.

You can get 100 milligrams of calcium from 3/4 cup of Cottage cheese; I cup cooked broccoli, 1 cup navy or pinto beans;1 small Taco; 1 English muffin; 1/3 cup Almonds; 4 dried figs.(One of my favorites are dried figs which come into the stores in late Fall. I often buy 10 packages! And they are my between meal snacks or I add them to fruit salad)

Now, one of the big things about getting your calcium duringyour meals is to be sure that you do not eat foods that willblock calcium absorption at the same meal. If you do, you maybe eating calcium but it may never get into your system.

Oxalates (such as spinach, sweet potatoes and beans) and Phytates (such as whole wheat bran, beans, nuts and soy isolates) interfere with the absorption of calcium. So, for example, eating a piece of hard cheese alone or in a salad may be fine but eating a cheese sandwich or cheese on beans could be problematic.

Also, it is important to remember that protein and sodium boost the amount of calcium excreted in urine, while vitamin D reduce the amount excreted in urine.

Caffeine reduces the absorption of calcium and cigarette smoking may decrease the absorption of calcium so a cigarette after yourmeal may reduce the usefulness of a calcium rich meal.

Additional articles about Diet for Osteopenia

You may wish to read these related articles about Diet for Osteopenia or Osteoporosis:

Alcohol and Osteopenia

Caffeine and your Bones and a related article about Is Tea a help or a hindrance to stronger bones?

Some good

Then there is an article about Lactoferrin for your bones

Several years of Scientific studies reveal that Natto is a fracture preventative from Japan

Here is some research from New Zealand about Whey and your bones