Antacid pills or an alkaline diet can prevent osteoporosis Antacid pills or an alkaline diet can prevent osteoporosis Tim Arnett Adapted from an e-mail to the Global Ideas Bank. It has long been known that excess dietary acid can adversely affect bones.
Osteoporosis is mainly the result of osteoclast over-activity.
It may therefore be wise for older people to avoid excessive dietary acid intake. Fruits, surprisingly, yield alkaline residues on metabolism. However, there is no evidence that the protective effect of calcium salts on the skeleton is due to the calcium component itself, except in cases of severe calcium deficiency. Four Tums tablets contain 2.0 g of calcium carbonate - sufficient to neutralise one litre of Coke. Improved mineral balance and skeletal metabolism in postmenopausal women treated with potassium bicarbonate.