Caffeine's Role in Osteoporosis

That is true that it is called knitbone and it definitely has stimulating properties to skin cells and bone and was used traditionally as a wound healer. But those same alkaloids that stimulate the proliferation of cells can be damaging to the liver. It's an herb that requires knowledge and extreme caution. It's really not worth the risk in using and if anyone decides to use it, please seek the advice and guidance of an established herbal practitioner. Overall, it is not recommended for internal use and caution advised with external use.

From Mount Sinai:
https://www.mountsinai.org/health-library/herb/comfrey
And information on Barbara O'Neill. She is actually not a naturopath and has no medical credentials. Please read this very informative page on her practices and her subsequent ban by the New South Wales Health Care Complaints Commission.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Barbara_O%27Neill
Barbara O'Neill (born 28 July 1953[1]) is an Australian alternative health care promoter, known for advertising unsupported health practices described as dangerous by the scientific community.[2][3][1] She presents these claims at alternative medicine organisations, wellness retreats, and Seventh-day Adventist Churches despite not having any recognised qualifications and failing nursing training.[4][5]

IMPORTANT: I'd be VERY careful in consuming comfrey. Comfrey contains alkaloids that can cause liver damage and death. Even used topically, you need to be extremely careful and it should not be used on puncture, deep or infected wounds as it will speed external healing, potentially trapping pathogens and/or infections internally. Please be careful about what you incorporate into your diet from non-vetted sources on the internet.

Although caffeine can cause some minor calcium loss, I think the loss is easily offset unless of course you are consuming massive amounts of coffee throughout the day. One or two cups in the morning is likely fine and the health benefits of coffee are well documented so it's not something I would personally eliminate.

If you are looking to substitute tea for some of your coffee, one of the best options is nettles tea which is rich in minerals including calcium. It doesn't taste very good but you can combine it with peppermint, also quite mineral rich, which improves the taste. You can also include other herbs to make a nutritious blend by adding any of the following: sage, red clover, tulsi (holy basil), plantain, gotu kola. Rotation is always recommended. Periodically adding in a pinch of horsetail will provide silicon which is great for the bones but horsetail is not recommended for daily use as it can decrease thiamine absorption so only use occasionally if you decide to incorporate.

I just found this thread and find the comments enlightening. I've heard for several years about the possible impact of caffeine on bone loss, but really didn't pay much attention until I was diagnosed with Osteoporosis. I drank at least a pot of coffee a day all my working years, and into my retirement, but quit it cold turkey about two weeks ago. Have to admit I haven't really missed it. In these latter few years I think it was more the flavored creamer I was after rather than the coffee itself!

My doc HAS in the past asked me if I drink coffee. She said a little was okay, but to make it half coffee/half skim milk (which I sometimes did, but mostly used the creamer or a combination). That was before my bone scan results so I plan to question her at my next appointment. What makes it so confusing is that every other day there's a new report out about the health effects of coffee. One day it's good for you, the next day it's bad. At this point I'm down to water and herbal tea. I'm considering decaf instant coffee, which my husband drinks, but from what I've read it's not totally caffeine-free, so I don't know whether to take the chance. Better safe than sorry.

Howdy @aacatsaregreat,

Thanks for joining the discussion - the more the merrier, 😬. I have never used any kind of flavoring or sugar in my coffee, but I do drink hi-test, flavored brews. Also, my preparation makes the coffee about half as strong as “recommended by the coffee producers”. So there’s that!

I, too, have read conflicting accounts of whether or not coffee is good or bad for us and our bones (and there are other members who have posted interesting info here).

Until recently, I thought caffeine was (sort of) good for our general health. Sadly, I found the article discussing the effects caffeine has on our bones after I met with my rheumatologist and none of my docs along the way have ever asked me if I drank coffee, tea, colas . . . only alcohol, lol.

We need to suss out more articles about this subject because many of us are older and have been drinking beverages that contain that vile caffeine 🫨 for quite awhile.

Cheers, one and all!

Is it the caffeine or the acidity? If it’s the acidity you can make coffee with alkaline water. If it’s the caffeine, you can drink decaf. Or do both 🤷‍♀️

I just found this thread and find the comments enlightening. I've heard for several years about the possible impact of caffeine on bone loss, but really didn't pay much attention until I was diagnosed with Osteoporosis. I drank at least a pot of coffee a day all my working years, and into my retirement, but quit it cold turkey about two weeks ago. Have to admit I haven't really missed it. In these latter few years I think it was more the flavored creamer I was after rather than the coffee itself!

My doc HAS in the past asked me if I drink coffee. She said a little was okay, but to make it half coffee/half skim milk (which I sometimes did, but mostly used the creamer or a combination). That was before my bone scan results so I plan to question her at my next appointment. What makes it so confusing is that every other day there's a new report out about the health effects of coffee. One day it's good for you, the next day it's bad. At this point I'm down to water and herbal tea. I'm considering decaf instant coffee, which my husband drinks, but from what I've read it's not totally caffeine-free, so I don't know whether to take the chance. Better safe than sorry.