Calcium is a Doubled-Edged Sword

Insufficient calcium leads to bone loss, muscle cramps and insomnia. Too much calcium may result in calcium being deposited in unwanted areas of the body such as the arteries. So, where is the sweet spot for calcium intake? The chart at the end of this article from the National Institute of Health (NIH) lists the [...]

Whoa Doctor, Not So Fast With That Osteoporosis Prescription!

Last week I worked with a patient who was 55 years old. Her internist told her that she lost 8% bone mass in just one year and that she needed to start Fosamax immediately. She came to me to review her case for a second opinion. In the beginning, all she had was the DXA [...]

Dr. Lani’s Interview with Herbalist Susun Weed

Dear Friends, Last week’s webinar was a huge success. Susun graciously offered her expertise regarding herbal infusions and how to make them. Many people have expressed interest in the audiotape of this webinar: we are offering this download for free until Monday, September 6th. Click here to download this free podcast! Since our last show [...]

Osteoporosis Myths and Facts

Osteoporosis Webinar Course Available! (click here to purchase) There is considerable hype and misinformation regarding osteoporosis. Some people have serious osteoporosis that does require treatment with medication. In my opinion, medications for osteoporosis have been significantly over-prescribed. Commercials featuring Sally Field (of The Flying Nun fame) seem to make the case that the most common [...]

Quest Acknowledges Errors in Vitamin D Tests

As I mentioned in my December newsletter on vitamin D, the testing procedure that Quest lab uses for vitamin D (25 hydroxyvitamin D), will give a false reading – 30% higher than the actual vitamin D level. On January 9, 2009, the New York Times reported yet another problem with the testing of vitamin D [...]

Vitamin D testing at Home

Why test Vitamin D? Vitamin D deficiency is very common, particularly in northern climates with little sunshine. Vitamin D has been found to be important in protecting the body from a wide range of diseases, including cardiovascular disease, stroke, osteoporosis, osteomalacia, cancer, autoimmune diseases such as multiple sclerosis, rheumatoid arthritis, diabetes (types 1 and 2), [...]