It has been eight years since I had my baseline Dexa Scan. Last week I had a repeat test for comparison, and I have been anxiously awaiting the results…for reasons I will explain.

Dexa stands for ‘Dual Energy X-ray Absorptiometry’. It is the most commonly used test for measuring bone mineral density. It is one of the most accurate ways to diagnosis Osteopenia or Osteoporosis.

I just received my results. Big sigh of relief: “Normal.” Why are these results very significant to me?

Back in 2004 is when I first started reading the teachings of noted hormone expert, Dr. John Lee, M.D. That was the very first time that I heard milk is bad for you. I read every book that Dr. Lee wrote, and I endorsed everything he taught…except I thought he was a little radical on his beliefs about drinking milk.

I can still hear his words, “Humans are the only animal on earth that drink another animal’s milk.”

All the men in the Lee family experienced early deaths – in their 40’s – due to heart attacks. Dr. Lee did not want to be one of them. He quit drinking milk in his very early years. Dr. Lee defied his family history. He lived into his 70s, a feat unheard of among the Lee men.

Though his argument was very compelling, all the public indoctrination about the terrible ramifications of not drinking milk instilled fear in me, and I continued to drink milk…and I made sure my family drank plenty of it as well.

I continued that practice until sometime later when I read Dr. Joel Fuhrman’s Disease Proof Your Child. Dr. Furman’s data could not be denied. I learned that I was the radical one, not Dr. Lee. I immediately stopped the practice of drinking milk.

Since then I have also read The China Study and heard the same message. The research studies are staggering.

Also, back in 2002 when I had my hysterectomy, my doctor told me to take a calcium supplement – 1,500 mg a day. Which one should I take? The literature about calcium supplements was very confusing. I researched all the various types of calcium. I found all sorts of pros and cons for each type – so I settled on a brand that contained all the various forms of calcium, hoping that I would hit upon the “right one.”

Somewhere along the way, I then read the studies that said supplements are not well absorbed, and the best source of calcium is from vegetables, particularly deep leafy greens. I pitched my supplements and substituted foo

In addition, I annually monitor my hormone levels and supplement with natural, bioidentical compounds for any areas that need help with balancing, such as progesterone cream supplementation.

Somehow in this country we have been indoctrinated to believe that if we don’t drink milk we are going to experience terrible osteoporosis. Perhaps the opposite is true? Check out the amount of calcium in the table below provided by http://www.whfoods.com/genpage.php?tname=nutrient&dbid=45.

Note that there are only three sources cited as “excellent,” and all three are dark green leafy vegetables. The vegetables receive a higher rating than milk, which is listed as “very good.”

World’s Healthiest Foods ranked as quality sources of: calcium
Food	Serving Size	Cals	Amount (mg)	DV (%)	Nutrient Density	World’s Healthiest Foods Rating
Basil, dried, ground	2 tsp	7.5	63.40	6.3	15.2	very good
Dill weed	2 tsp	5.1	35.68	3.6	12.7	good
Turnip greens, cooked	1 cup	28.8	197.28	19.7	12.3	excellent
Thyme, dried, ground	2 tsp	7.9	54.16	5.4	12.3	very good
Spinach, boiled	1 cup	41.4	244.80	24.5	10.6	excellent
Oregano, dried, ground	2 tsp	9.2	47.28	4.7	9.3	good
Mustard greens, boiled	1 cup	21.0	103.60	10.4	8.9	excellent
Cinnamon, ground	2 tsp	11.8	55.68	5.6	8.5	very good
Collard greens, boiled	1 cup	49.4	226.10	22.6	8.2	excellent
Kelp (sea vegetable)	0.25 cup	8.6	33.60	3.4	7.0	good
Rosemary, dried	2 tsp	7.3	28.16	2.8	7.0	good
Blackstrap molasses	2 tsp	32.1	117.53	11.8	6.6	very good
Swiss chard, boiled	1 cup	35.0	101.50	10.2	5.2	very good
Yogurt, low-fat	1 cup	155.1	447.37	44.7	5.2	very good
Romaine lettuce	2 cup	15.7	40.32	4.0	4.6	good
Kale, boiled	1 cup	36.4	93.60	9.4	4.6	very good
Mozzarella cheese, part-skim, shredded	1 oz-wt	72.1	183.06	18.3	4.6	very good
Celery, raw	1 cup	19.2	48.00	4.8	4.5	good
Cow’s milk, 2%	1 cup	121.2	296.70	29.7	4.4	very good
Cloves, dried, ground	2 tsp	14.2	28.40	2.8	3.6	good
Goat’s milk	1 cup	167.9	325.74	32.6	3.5	very good
Broccoli, steamed	1 cup	43.7	74.72	7.5	3.1	good
Sesame seeds	0.25 cup	206.3	351.00	35.1	3.1	good
Fennel, raw, sliced	1 cup	27.0	42.64	4.3	2.8	good
Cabbage, shredded, boiled	1 cup	33.0	46.50	4.7	2.5	good
Summer squash, cooked, slices	1 cup	36.0	48.60	4.9	2.4	good
Green beans, boiled	1 cup	43.8	57.50	5.8	2.4	good
Garlic	1 oz-wt	42.2	51.31	5.1	2.2	good
Tofu, raw	4 oz-wt	86.2	100.00	10.0	2.1	good
Mustard seeds	2 tsp	35.0	38.92	3.9	2.0	good
Brussel sprouts, boiled	1 cup	60.8	56.16	5.6	1.7	good
Oranges	1 each	61.6	52.40	5.2	1.5	good
Asparagus, boiled	1 cup	43.2	36.00	3.6	1.5	good
Crimini mushrooms, raw	5 oz-wt	31.2	25.52	2.6	1.5	good

It is important for you to do your own investigation and do what feels right for you. However, please do take the time to investigate. The health of your bones and, consequently, your healthy longevity depend upon it.

This entry was posted on Friday, February 19th, 2010 at 10:18 am and is filed under Osteoporosis. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.