Pruning Up Your Bones

October 21, 2020
Ann Louise Gittleman, PhD, CNS

Ann Louise Gittleman, PhD, CNS

Award-winning nutritionist and New York Times bestselling author.

Who would have ever guessed that prunes – dried plums – are one of the healthiest foods you can eat?

Their antioxidant value alone makes these yummy little nuggets a stellar standout above other high-ranking foods like blueberries and raisins. The health benefits of prunes are huge, with their large amount of phenolics, they are particularly effective against free radicals that destroy your cells. But did you know they can slow down and reverse bone loss due to their high level of one important trace element – boron?

Women over 40 lose one percent of bone density every… single… year. And this loss becomes significant, especially in the years after menopause. It’s a concern for all women as we age, so minimizing the risk of fractures by increasing bone density is a top priority. The simple suggestion that eating a few prunes a day to decrease our chances of fractures might be hard to believe. Studies, however, show they work!

It is possible to stop bone loss from further increasing as we get older and this boron rich fruit can actually reverse bone loss back to normal density. In a study conducted on postmenopausal women who ate 4-6 prunes a day, the findings were impressive, showing significant increases in bone density in their hips and arms just one year later. Prunes may be especially helpful in combating radiation bone loss by reducing radiation’s effect on bone marrow. Boron is associated with the prevention of osteoporosis (bones that are brittle and fragile due to loss of bone tissue) and to osteopenia (reduced bone mass). And the beauty of it is, prunes are also rich in potassium and magnesium, other minerals that help support bone health, and they contain key vitamins like Vitamin K that helps to support our bones.

My friend Dr. Janet Zand shared an extraordinary testimonial from one of her fans about the power of prunes with their high source of bone-building boron: “I am now eighty-two and have had four bone density tests, which have told me I have the bones of a thirty-year-old. I’m told this is very unusual. One clinician told me that at the normal rate of bone loss, I will be a hundred and ten before I have osteopenia. Now I know why. For thirty-five years, I had a house with a plum tree and made prunes. I have continued daily use of four to six prunes for fifty years, thinking I was doing it for constipation. What a wonderful side effect to get these solid bones!”

I do recommend that you choose only organic, non-GMO brands, as always. There are plenty of good quality brands available today. And keep in mind, that the Hair Tissue Mineral Analysis (TMA) available at Uni Key Health is a great way to get a glimpse at what is going on with our bones and the minerals that we need to keep our bone health strong. The TMA tests for 29 major minerals and 8 heavy metals, providing a complete analysis of your mineral levels and mineral ratios, as well as associated health and disease tendencies, including bone health.

Do you eat prunes every day? Have you been tested lately for osteoporosis?

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Ann Louise Gittleman, PhD, CNS, is an award-winning New York Times bestselling author of more than thirty books including The Fat Flush Plan series and her latest book, Radical Metabolism. She’s been rewriting the rules of nutrition for more than 40 years and is internationally recognized as a pioneer in the field of diet, detox and women’s health issues. 

For a FREE daily dose of tips and strategies for maintaining healthy weight, conquering insomnia, and much more…check out my Radical Health Tips.

I’d like to meet and greet you on my Facebook groups, so won’t you check us out at the Radical Metabolism RevolutionFat Flush Nation, or my Inner Circle!

4 Comments

  1. Tina

    This is amazing! I’m going to buy some prunes today when I go grocery shopping.

    Reply
  2. Susan B.

    I haven’t had prunes in many many years. I will start doing this. I am concerned about my bone density because I’m small boned and in my 70’s.

    Reply
  3. Loretta

    Sounds like there was wisdom in the old tradition of eating prunes. My Mother always ate them but I haven’t eaten them since I was little girl.

    Reply
  4. Judy

    I started eating prunes as a result of reading this article. They are a delicious way to improve my bones! Thanks

    Reply

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