Unknowingly, those of us living in highly industrialized societies labor upon a condition of bone dissolving, low-grade metabolic acidosis. This low-grade acidosis is largely induced by our high intake of meat, refined foods, coffee, alcohol, and all manner of junk food.

It is surprising that even a very small change of inner cellular pH has a dramatic effect on bone. Even a slightly acidic tilt causes a dramatic increase in bone breakdown and a decrease in new bone formation.

We at The Osteoporosis Education Project consider chronic, low-grade metabolic acidosis to be a major factor contributing to the development of thin, weak bones. The antidote to this diet-induced acidosis is what Dr. Susan Brown calls the "Alkaline Diet."  An Alkaline Diet is a diet high in vegetables, fruits, nuts, pulses like lentils, seeds, spices, and mineral water, which build life-supporting alkaline reserves. The alkaline reserves are available to buffer metabolic acids. An Alkaline Diet contains only moderate amounts of acid-producing flesh foods, phosphorus food additives, and highly processed foods. To estimate the adequacy of your diet, we refer you to Dr. Brown's pH Test Kit.

For a thorough discussion of the impact of chronic, low-grade metabolic acidosis on bone health you are referred to Dr. Brown's latest book, The Acid-Alkaline Food Guide as well as her scientific articles:

"Acid-Alkaline Balance and Its Effect on Bone Health" and

"Urine pH and Acid Load"

and her magazine article:

"Bone Builders: The Secret of an Alkaline Diet and Lifestyle."

Directions on how to assess your acid-alkaline balance and detailed information on how to develop an Alkaline Diet are included in Dr. Brown's Better Bones, Better Body pH Test Kit. A list of the alkalizing nutritional supplements Dr. Brown uses is given in the Supplement Information section of this website.