omzenska
01-23-2009, 07:22 PM
Has anyone ever heard that prunes can help build better bones?
Since my osteo diagnosis about 5 months ago I've done countless internet searches, and I haven't really come up with anything new in the past few months (aside from more bad news about osteo drugs!), but today I found some interesting sites claiming that prunes have been shown to rebuild bone in rats and to increase bone formation markers in postmeno women. One of the sites said that prunes contain boron, so that might explain the effect.
This made me think of my grandmother - she ate prunes often, and she lived to be 89 and had some pretty bad falls but she never ever broke a bone... So who knows? there might be something to it!
Since my osteo diagnosis about 5 months ago I've done countless internet searches, and I haven't really come up with anything new in the past few months (aside from more bad news about osteo drugs!), but today I found some interesting sites claiming that prunes have been shown to rebuild bone in rats and to increase bone formation markers in postmeno women. One of the sites said that prunes contain boron, so that might explain the effect.
This made me think of my grandmother - she ate prunes often, and she lived to be 89 and had some pretty bad falls but she never ever broke a bone... So who knows? there might be something to it!
Sponsor
starfish81
01-23-2009, 07:49 PM
Always nice when it turns out a food (and a tasty one at that) can help our bones. I wonder if the benefits can also be had from plums, since that's basically what a prune is.
tulsatime
01-23-2009, 10:04 PM
Thanks for the info on prunes and boron! I have just started adding horsetail to my bone repertoire. Time will tell. Here is the info from the University of Maryland Medical Center:
http://www.umm.edu/altmed/articles/horsetail-000257.htm
Healing wishes to all,
tulsa
http://www.umm.edu/altmed/articles/horsetail-000257.htm
Healing wishes to all,
tulsa
phylwill1152
01-23-2009, 11:41 PM
This is from the USA Weekend magazine article from a while back. It stated that feeding prunes to animals could both prevent and reverse bone loss, and that post-menopausal women who ate 3.5 ounces a day (about 10 prunes) had improved bone density. They are also beneficial in the prevention of heart disease, some cancers and other chronic diseases. Another benefit is that they reduce wrinkles...take care...phyllis
mbeth50
01-23-2009, 11:54 PM
Yes There is an osteopenia site hosted by a very knowledgeable women who posts new research findings continually and last year I read on there about prunes. I have been eating them every day since!!
trail
01-24-2009, 01:24 AM
I don't mean to be contrary, but I have been partaking of prunes regularly for years and my last dexa didn't show a positive difference. I would like to read the study that you are referring to. I am still going to eat them because they taste really good and I know they are a healthy part of your diet!!
phylwill1152
01-24-2009, 09:04 AM
Hi trail, I too have eaten prunes all my life, altho not daily. They are great when you want a healthy sweet fix. There are so many things out there that say they can help density that its hard to know which ones work and which ones are yet to be proven. At least this one taste good, is inexpensive and doesn't have side effects...unless you eat too many :eek:. have a good weekend..take care...phyllis
PikaB
01-24-2009, 11:11 PM
...I would like to read the study that you are referring to...
The title of the study is "Dried plums improve indices of bone formation in postmenopausal women" and the abstract can be read at http://www.pubmed.gov (search for 11860726 ). The main author is currently doing a study titled "Dried Plum reverses bone loss in postmenopausal women" which will measure bone density at the completion of the study; that study concludes this year (2009) so the final results are not in yet.
The title of the study is "Dried plums improve indices of bone formation in postmenopausal women" and the abstract can be read at http://www.pubmed.gov (search for 11860726 ). The main author is currently doing a study titled "Dried Plum reverses bone loss in postmenopausal women" which will measure bone density at the completion of the study; that study concludes this year (2009) so the final results are not in yet.