Low Acid Diet and Osteoporosis

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/11/24/health/24brod.html?emc=eta1

In the NY Times Jane Brody discusses the newest studies on diet and bone health. The significant findings were that a diet with at least 9 servings of fruits and vegetables a day meant much lower rates of fractures and by this criteria less bone loss. The rates of osteoporosis were highest in countries consuming the most dairy. Japan which has lower rates of osteoporosis than the US consume fermented foods which may enhance assimilation of dietary calcium. Apparently the buffering alkalinity of fruits and vegetables can compensate for the acid forming proteins. Calcium supplements and dairy did not do the same for the populations studied as the diets rich in phytochemicals and low in acids.