Bisphosphonates, a compound commonly prescribed to build thinning bones, have been linked to a serious heart dis-ease. A review of recent research found that atrial fibrillation, an erratic heartbeat that can lead to heart attacks and stroke, may be linked to the so-called bone-building drugs which include Fosamax and Boniva.

"In addition to possible gastrointestinal side effects, bisphosphonates can have possible cardiac side effects," said Dr. Jennifer Maranda, an internal resident at Jackson Memorial Hospital in Miami and lead author of the research. "For serious cases of artrial fibrillation, there was a significant increase in risk--about 68 percent."

The three studies reviewed included more than 16,000 patients and were randomized and placebo-controlled. They included postmenopausal women between the ages of 69 and 75 who were taking bisphosphonates for osteoporosis. While there wasn't an overall statistical difference in the incidence of artrial fibrillation between those taking bisphosphonates and placebo, when researchers considered those whose artrial fibrillation was serious enough to cause hospitalization or death, they found that those taking bisphosphonates were at a 68 percent increased risk for stoke or heart attack - two of the side-effects of taking the drugs Fosamax, Boniva, Reclast and Actonel.

Bisphosphonates include alendronate (Fosamax), zoledronic acid (Reclast), and risedronate (Actonel). They are normally used to treat people with osteoporosis and those who have suffered bone fractures.

According to Dr. Robert O. Young, Director of Research at The pH Miracle Living Center, "someone with osteoarthritis or osteoporosis is dealing with systemic latent tissue acidosis. The blood is using calcium ions from the bones to maintain its alkaline pH at 7.365 to 7.4. The loss of bone mass is a direct indication of an acidic lifestyle and diet and the body in preservation mode to maintain its alkaline design. The answer to the problem is not a drug like Fosamax, but a decrease in acidic foods and drinks and an increase in alkaline foods and drinks."

So what causes osteoporosis? The answer is a four letter word, ACID. Metabolic and dietary acids that are not removed by the body through urination, defecation, respiration or perspiration are dealt with in the following ways:

1) Acids are taken up into the connective tissue to be eliminated by the lymphatic system. When acid builds up in the connective tissue this can then lead to connective tissue disorders such as fibromyalgia.

2) Acids are taken up into the pre-kidney or the extracellular matrix to be eliminated by the lymphatic system. When acids build up in the extracellular matrix this can lead to tumor formation and all cancerous conditions.

3) Acids are deposited into the fatty tissues causing obesity, and/or,

4) Acids are crystallized or buffered by alkaline buffers such as calcium ions from the bones or magnesium from the muscles. When calcium is taken from the bones this can lead to osteoarthritis and osteoporosis.

When the body uses calcium to buffer metabolic or dietary acids the primary source of this calcium comes from the bones. This is what leads to osteoarthritis and then osteoporosis.

If you want healthy strong bones and muscles (that includes the heart as a muscle) then eliminate the acid loads in your lifestyle and diet. The cure is simple! Reduce metabolic and dietary acid by making alkaline lifestyle and dietary choices.

Also, if you want to maintain or build healthy strong bones and muscles, including a strong heart, you can do this by building blood. The bones and muscles (heart included) are a product of blood and blood is a product of what you eat and what you drink.

I have found in my research that the best way to build healthy blood and then healthy bones and muscles (heart) is with green foods and green drinks. Drinking 4 t 6 liters of greens in alkaline water every day is the single most important thing one can do to build healthy bones, muscles, heart, liver, lungs, etc.