Lara Pizzorno Shares Her Personal Story

Updated: February 2, 2024

Lara Cover Photo

Lara Pizzorno is the author of “Your Bones: How You Can Prevent Osteoporosis and Have Strong Bones for Life – Naturally” and a member of the American Medical Writers Association with 29 years of experience specializing in bone health.

In this 3 part video series, Lara reveals her personal story, what she learnt from being diagnosed (video 2) and her latest DEXA scan results (video 3) . Watch the video below (or read the transcript provided) and see you in the comments below.  🙂

Hello, my name is Lara Pizzorno. I’m the author of “Your Bones” and I am here to share information with you that I hope will help you to have healthier bones.

A number of people wrote in and asked about my personal story.

Why was I passionate about this?

Why did I write “Your Bones”?

In this series of videos, I am sharing with you my personal life experience and what got me interested into this.

I know the information I present in “Your Bones” and share with you here on AlgaeCal’s website can help you. Not only avoid osteoporosis, but reverse it and maintain a healthy, strong and erect skeleton.

I know this because for 30 years, I have read and continue to read everyday the breaking research in the peer-reviewed medical literature about the latest scientific discoveries on bone remodeling and bone health.

I also know it deep down at the most personal level. I know it because of what happened to all the generations of women in my family and to me personally.

Every woman I know about in my family from my great grandmother on down, developed osteoporosis and this disease took them from us much earlier than was necessary.

By the time I was in my early 40’s, well before menopause, I was increasingly osteopenic even though I had a very healthy diet and lifestyle. I was still unaware of some genetically inherited risks that were robbing me of my bones.

Now we can easily test for these and the best news of all, we can correct for them with simple inexpensive nutritional supplements and other natural therapies. I was very lucky. My husband, Dr. Joe Pizzorno, is the founding president of the world’s more highly respected and fully federally accredited university of natural medicine. It’s called Bastyr University and it’s in Seattle, Washington where we live. For more than 40 years, he has been a key leader in the development of science-based natural and integrative medicine worldwide.

So back almost 26 years ago now, we knew the physician researchers who were on the cutting edge of genetic testing development and we had access to these tests when they first became available.

We learned why I was losing bone and what to do.

To not only to make up for my primary genetic susceptibilities, which began to turn things around for me, but over the next 15 years,

we figured out how to supply my bones with everything that everyone’s bones, not just mine but everybody’s bones, need to rebuild and stay strong.

Today I have great bones and trust me, I am the poster child for osteoporosis. My genetics have given me so many things that increase my susceptibility to bones loss, it’s as if the universe set me up to figure it out or die and if I was able to beat osteoporosis, I promise that any one can.

Not only do I have most all of the common risk factors for osteoporosis,

  • I’m small,
  • I’m light weight,
  • I’m Caucasian,
  • I inherited a Vitamin D receptor that doesn’t work very well. So I have a very hard time absorbing vitamin D.
  • Plus I live in Seattle where the rain festival runs from October thru September
  • and my stomach used to be antsy.

We found out that I, like 50% of the people in the US or maybe even more, had an infection with Helicobacter Pylori. This is a widespread bacterium which, if the infection is bad enough, causes ulcers, but if it’s not as severe, it just causes frequent bloating, indigestion, and disrupts our ability to absorb nutrients such as calcium.

Plus I wasn’t consuming enough calcium or magnesium or boron or trace minerals or vitamin C and I could go on and on. Back then, we didn’t know enough about vitamin K2, which I certainly also was not getting. Plus later we found out that I don’t activate some of the B vitamins very well and it’s only in their active forms that the B vitamins do their work for us. Nor does my body do even a mediocre job of converting beta keratin into vitamin A. I could go on and on, trust me.

The point of sharing all of this with you is to encourage you. You will certainly have your own personal reasons why you have been losing too much bone or are at risk for bone loss. They will likely not be the same as mine. Your bones contain several hundred pages worth of reasons we can lose too much bone. You can determine what’s causing your bone loss and you can fix it. If I can beat this, so can you.

You too can have strong healthy bones for your entire life.

It still makes me very sad to know that if I only had the knowledge that I have now when my grandmother, mother, and my very dear Aunt Gert, were still alive, I could have helped them. I could have helped them prevent the hip fractures which greatly hastened their deaths, but now I will be the first woman in my family in all the generations I know about not to die an osteoporosis related death. Loss of my grandmother, aunt, mother to osteoporosis, all of those were needless misery and we don’t have to accept this.

“Your Bones” and the information that AlgaeCal makes it possible for me to share with you now, is what I so wish I could have given to my loved ones. It’s too late for me to help them, but I can help you or your mother or your grandmother or your husband or your father.

In our next video (video 2), I’ll share with you what I personally had to learn to beat osteoporosis.

Thanks for tuning in.

To go ahead and watch video 3, you can do so here:

Video 3: Lara Reveals Her Latest DEXA Results (& They’re Pretty Amazing!)

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  1. Patti Harrison

    January 5, 2018 , 2:42 pm

    I purchased your book on bones and you made mention of an Osteo Mins product by Dr. Jonathan Wright. Are you aware that one reviewer on Amazon who lives in the state of California stated that there was a WARNING: “This product contains lead, a chemical known to the state of California to cause cancer and birth defects or other reproductive harm.” She further stated that “This is something everyone should be aware of, not just the lucky residents of California. Why does amazon not post a similar warning?”

  2. Lara Pizzorno

    January 12, 2018 , 10:13 am

    Hi Patti,

    (1) I am contacting Dr. Wright on this

    (2) OsteoMins product was mentioned [as one possible supplement among others] because Dr. Wright was my co-author on the first edition of Your Bones.

    He was listed as co-author because he kindly linked me up with Praktikos (the publisher) and contributed two items to the book: the 2-page discussion of patent medicines, appears on pg. 12-13 in 2nd edition, and (2) the hormone tests that I discuss in the Labs appendix were developed by Dr. Wright and are, I believe, the most comprehensive, accurate and useful of all such testing available. Dr. Wright is one of the world’s pre-eminent physicians, certainly the leading authority on BHRT. While he did not make changes to my book, he did read through it all for me (a stellar peer-review!) and found no errors – very kind of him to take the time to do so!

    (3) MANY natural products contain tiny amounts of lead! I’m not sure how much lead is present in OsteoMins – again, asking Jonathan (Dr. W) about this and will let you know what he says.

  3. Lara Pizzorno

    January 16, 2018 , 10:08 am

    Hi Patti,

    I reached out to Dr. Wright, here is his response:

    “This is a California specific requirement due to a law regarding lead in supplements. The FDA has mandated safe limits for lead (lead is naturally-occurring and present in many supplements, especially those containing calcium and magnesium – though at very low levels).

    While the FDA has established safe levels, the state of California has established a limit of 1/50 of the FDA levels which requires a warning to consumers (Proposition 65 – or Prop 65). Effectively like the Feds saying the safe speed limit on I-5 is 65 MPH, and California saying “we think that limit is 1.3 MPH”…

    We were caught up in this a few years ago and ended up with a compromise to appease them. Instead of putting that warning on all bottles, we have a warning on our website and on invoices for California customers (only California) with the required warning.

    You can be assured that ALL of our products are manufactured well within the FDA established limits.

    Hope that helps.”

  4. Patricia C Harrison

    February 12, 2018 , 9:58 pm

    Thank you, Lara, for clarifying this for me.
    You are so very thorough. I appreciate your time to reach out to Dr. Wright and getting this answer.

    Patti Harrison

  5. DONNA M POMPILLIO

    January 27, 2018 , 5:34 am

    I HAVE BEEN TRYING TO FIND A WAY TO CONTACT YOU FOR ADVICE, CONSULTATION. i AM 23 YEARS POST BARIATRIC, 68 YEARS OLD AND WAS RECENTLY DIAGNOSED WITH OSTEOPOROSIS. IS THERE A WAY TO CONTACT YOU? THANK YOU.

  6. Jenna AlgaeCal

    January 30, 2018 , 9:51 am

    Hi Donna,

    We apologize if you have had some trouble reaching us! AlgaeCal is the only calcium supplement clinically supported to increase bone density & can absolutely help to turn around your bone health.

    Donna, our Bone Health Consultants would be happy to answer any questions you have about your bone health and AlgaeCal! Please call our toll free number at 1-800-820-0184 or email [email protected]. Our operating hours are Mon-Fri 6:00am-4:00pm PST, Saturday 8:00am-4:00pm and Sun 8:00am-2:00pm PST.

    We look forward to hearing from you!

    – Jenna @ AlgaeCal

  7. Jenna AlgaeCal

    March 27, 2018 , 10:30 am

    Hello Patti,

    Thank you so much for taking the time to reach out & explain your situation! I have sent you a direct email with Lara’s response to your questions from [email protected]. Sometimes our emails are sorted into a junk or spam folder in error, so be sure to check these as well.

    – Jenna @ AlgaeCal

  8. Ann

    April 5, 2018 , 12:27 pm

    I am a bit confused on the Vitamin K-2 to Vitamin D3 ratio. I take Algaecal Plus so I get 1600 iu’s of D3 and I supplement with 3,000 iu’s for a total of 4600 per day. I get 100 mcg of K-2 from the Algaecal Plus. Do I take additional 400-500 K-2 daily? That seems to be the advice from my research but I am a bit leery. Please help! Thank you.

  9. Jenna AlgaeCal

    April 11, 2018 , 3:33 pm

    Hi Ann,

    We’re glad you reached out! For an additional 3000 IU of vitamin D3 we would recommend an additional 120 mcg of vitamin K2. This is enough to transport the calcium where it needs to go… Directly into your bones 🙂 To make things easier, some of our customers prefer to purchase vitamin D3 & K2 combination supplements which you should be able to find at your local health food store or online.

    If you have any other questions feel free to email [email protected] or call our Bone Health Consultants at 1-800-820-0184!

    – Jenna @ AlgaeCal

  10. Wendy Fielding

    July 3, 2018 , 12:17 pm

    Hi Lara, I wrote to you some years ago and since then have been taking the Strontium/Calcium combo.
    I wrote re hot flushes which I had for 10 years half hourly until I was a wreck. I tried every natural alternative there is and also looked at BHRT. In the end I had to succumb to HRT patches, the only thing that stopped them. Tho not happy using this. I now have to take Primolut Nor and than utrogestane due to thickening of the uterus lining, My Gynaecologist has suggested Duaviv as a better alternative and I wanted to check this out with you as you gave me such good advice before, many thanks [so wish I could come off all these drugs]

  11. Lara Pizzorno

    July 6, 2018 , 9:24 am

    Hi Wendy,

    Did you work with a physician trained in the use of BHRT? If not, or even if you did back then, the doctor you used may not have been sufficiently competent. My best suggestion to you is to locate someone in your area who has been trained by Dr. Jonathan Wright, MD and get help switching to BHRT (you may be able to get a referral from Meridian Valley Labs to such a doctor as MVL uses the 24 Hour Urine Comprehensive Hormone labs that Dr. Wright recommends both to initially prescribe and then to monitor BHRT).

    Your outcome here is sadly all too typical. You were prescribed HRT rather than BHRT and now are being prescribed more drugs (which have more serious adverse effects [ADRs]) to try to manage the ADRs of the HRT.

    Duavee (bazedoxifene) is an estrogen agonist/antagonist that is prescribed to reduce the risk of endometrial hyperplasia (uterine thickening), which increases risk of uterine cancer, and in your case was caused by the HRT patches. So, now your doctor is telling you to take another drug to deal with the ADRs caused by the HRT.

    Primolut Nor (Norethisterone) is a progestin (a synthetic progestogen, created to produce some actions similar to progesterone, including binding to the progesterone receptor) – but it is NOT progesterone and has many ADRs including headaches, nausea, breast tenderness, mood changes, acne and more.

    Duavee is not a terrific alternative! It increases your risk of stroke, deep vein thrombosis, and gallbladder disease, and may increase risk of dementia and breast cancer. Commonly seen ADRs in the women using this drug in studies were muscle spasms, nausea, diarrhea, dyspepsia, abdominal pain upper, oropharyngeal pain, dizziness, and neck pain. These are unpleasant enough, but because of its potential really serious ADRs, physicians are cautioned to prescribe Duavee for the shortest possible time. https://www.pfizerpro.com/product/duavee/hcp

    My best advice to you is to NOT continue down this pathway to more ADRs for which you will be prescribed more drugs that then cause more ADRs!

    PLEASE look into BHRT. Find someone who can help you make the transition and clean up the HRT mess. Don’t add to it!

    To get a deeper understanding of what’s going on with you and what you need to do to restore your healthful function and protect yourself, I urge you to read Dr. Wright’s recent book (which was given a dreadful title but is an excellent resource) Here’s a link: https://www.amazon.com/Stay-Young-Bio-Identical-Hormone-Replacement-ebook/dp/B0044KLQLE/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1530836896&sr=8-4&keywords=Dr%2C+Jonathan+Wright

    Personally, I have been on BHRT for almost 20 years now. NO ADRs (just lots of very beneficial effects on my bones, skin quality, brain, cardiovascular system, energy level and sex life). Unlike HRT and the drugs they now want you to add to deal with its ADRs, BHRT is safe and effective.

    I so hope this helps you and that you will keep me posted. If I can be of further assistance, don’t hesitate to get in touch.

    BE WELL,
    Lara

  12. Diane

    January 5, 2019 , 12:39 pm

    Dear Lara,
    I currently am taking all of the right nutrients for bones plus strontium and am considering the Algae Cal products. Can you tell me your opinion on enjoying 2 glasses of wine with dinner. I have osteoporosis recent dexa of -2.7 lumbar spine. It has not gotten a lot worse but I sure would like for improvements. It was worse other years so slight improvement.

  13. Jenna AlgaeCal

    January 7, 2019 , 3:34 pm

    Hi Diane,

    Good to hear you’re on track with getting the right nutrition for your bones! Research shows that alcohol is actually good for bone health… In moderation of course! Red wine, in particular, has been identified to be beneficial to bone health in women. You can learn more on our diet and nutrition page for osteoporosis here.

    And if you’re interested in learning how AlgaeCal can help you reclaim your bone health please feel free to call our Bone Health Consultants at 1-800-820-0184 ❤️

    – Jenna @ AlgaeCal

  14. Jane C. Lane

    March 3, 2019 , 9:14 pm

    Dear Lara. I need Help. Now 80 years. Thirty months ago, hurrying down my split entry carpeted stairs I slid.Left leg hit the wall. Broke, shattered the femur. large steel plate with 12 screws after surgery.7 days hospital, 73 Rehab, Therapy. 9/12/2018 Bone mineral density of the 33% right radius T-Score of -5.1. I can’t have the plate removed. Risk of re fracturing.Now talking at least 5,000 steps a day. Wearing a woman’s weight vest part of the day. DVD Mobility and Bone Strengthening for Beginners. I just bought “Your Bones” would takja AlgaeCal. Mother died of a stroke. Thought calcium other than by food could calcify the arteries. Not sure about Strontium because of the metal. Please help. I don’t take medicine. Follow your nutrition plan. Take 5,000 Vit D3. 5mg K2 4. Magnesium. Extremely healthy shakes, sesame, chia, millet, Maca, Cache Milk etc. I want to strengthen my bones. Willing to pay the price. Thank you for all your help. Jane

  15. Jenna AlgaeCal

    March 4, 2019 , 2:14 pm

    Hi Jane,

    Thanks for reaching out! Here are some articles I think will be helpful for you:
    Why You Need Plant-Based Calcium (& How To Get It)
    Strontium Side Effects are Overblown – Get the Facts by Lara Pizzorno
    Pilates for Osteoporosis with Lara Pizzorno

    If you have any questions our Bone Health Consultants are always here to help — you can call 1-800-820-0184 or email [email protected]. ❤️

    – Jenna @ AlgaeCal

  16. Lara Pizzorno

    April 4, 2019 , 12:49 pm

    Hi Jane, SO glad you found AlgaeCal! The reason that calcium taken by itself or just with vitamin D can increase risk of vascular calcification is that vitamin K2 must also be provided. Vitamin D is required for our active absorption of calcium; it does nothing to regulate where that calcium goes in the body! That is the job of K2, which activates the proteins — osteocalcin, which delivers calcium to our bones, and matrix Gla protein, which prevents calcium from depositing in our blood vessels –and other soft tissues, like our kidneys, breasts and brain. The form of K2 you mention above (MK-4) is far less effective than the form of K2 in AlgaeCal Plus (MK-7). In the research conducted using MK-4, doses of 15 milligrams taken every 6-8 hours were required for benefit. This is because of how our bodies handle MK-4 — it gets put into triglycerides and cleared from the body within 6-8 hours. In contrast, the dose required for MK-7 is just 100 – 360 micrograms daily. 100 mcg is sufficient for most people, but in the research on individuals with cardiovascular and kidney disease, and postmenopausal women with osteoporosis, 360 mcg was used — with NO problems because K2 is so safe that no upper limit has even been set for it. MK-7 is put into cholesterol, so it remains in the body for about a week. When you are taking it every day, you build up a reserve of K2 that is always available for you. Please stop taking MK-4 and switch to MK-7. AlgaeCal Plus contains ~100 mcg of MK-7 for these reasons. It also provides you with sufficient magnesium (360 mg) to properly balance the amount of calcium (720 mg) it contains. Optimal balance between calcium and magnesium is 2:1. You need at least 1,200 mg of calcium daily, so from your diet, you want to be getting an additional 480 mg of calcium and 240 mg of magnesium. In addition, current recommendations for us older folks are 1.5 grams of protein per kilogram of body weight. Make sure you’re getting enough protein! If you have not had your blood levels of vitamin D checked (a blood test that checks for 25(OH)D levels), please do so! Optimal level is between 50-80 ng/mL. And if you have not already joined the AlgaeCal Community on Facebook, please do so. Much information and support is available for you there — and you can contact me there as well. Keep me posted on how you are doing!

  17. Lara Pizzorno

    April 4, 2019 , 12:50 pm

    Forgot to say that strontium will not affect your metal bone implant — no worries!

  18. Becky

    May 23, 2019 , 9:44 am

    Lara –
    What is your take on osteoloading? Specifically using OsteoStrong machines for bone health and strength.
    Thanks!

  19. Lara Pizzorno

    May 30, 2019 , 9:05 am

    Hi Becky,

    The idea proposed by OsteoStrong sounds good – the evidence is sorely lacking. I could not find either of the 2 studies (2009 or 2015) referred to on the website. Jaquish has no published articles of any kind on PubMed, so these 2 papers have been published in journals that do not require peer-review and in which publication can simply be purchased. I could not access either paper in full, so could not evaluate the “research.”

    OsteoStrong’s assertion that other weight-bearing exercise cannot improve bone mineral density and resistance to fracture is not true. Many studies have conclusively shown otherwise. And to suggest that exercise alone can do the job is also definitely not true – read dozens of papers on this and posted an article on it – here’s a link: https://blog.algaecal.com/exercises-for-osteoporosis-of-the-spine/ (Actually my post is now part of a longer one on AlgaeCal on exercise – it’s about a third of the way down. Includes most, but not all I wrote in my original article. If you want to see that, I can send you a pdf if you can send in an email to AlgaeCal requesting this, and they will forward it on to me.)

    Lastly, I looked at their “Franchise” requirements – no medical training (no PT or exercise training of any kind) is needed to own and run an OsteoStrong franchise. Just good salesmanship. That really did not impress me.

    IF the OsteoStrong program is not expensive, you could give it a try and see what you think. The equipment looks like it can be safely calibrated to not cause injury, and it may be helpful.

    If you try it, do let me know if you think it could be helpful. I’d be delighted to be able to confidently recommend another exercise option for us, but at this point, cannot recommend OsteoStrong.

    Lara

  20. jasmin tecson

    May 30, 2019 , 5:14 pm

    Hi Lara and Jenna,

    I have been taking algae cal 2 cap per day from march 1, 2018 to may 30 2019 my bome density dexascan show no improvement.
    Due to chemotheraphy and was diagnosed since 2006 with osteoporosis.
    What should I take to increase my bone density.
    Should I take algae cal plus and strontium boost How long should I take to show improvement of bone density. Do I need to take vit K
    Pls. help thank you

  21. Jenna AlgaeCal

    June 12, 2019 , 10:52 am

    We’re so sorry to hear you didn’t get the results you were expecting, Jasmin. We recommend taking the clinical dose of AlgaeCal Plus (4 capsules) and Strontium Boost (2 capsules) daily to increase your bone mineral density — this dose showed measurable results on a DEXA scan in as little as 6 months time in our human clinical studies.

    Our Bone Health Consultants would love to further assist you along your bone health journey, so please email us at [email protected] or call 1-800-820-0184 with any questions or concerns. ❤️

    – Jenna @ AlgaeCal

  22. John Asadourian

    November 5, 2019 , 10:35 am

    Hi Lara and the folks at AlgaeCal. I’ve been hunting for information to help remineralize my teeth. The average dentist would say bone loss is irreversible. To me that speaks of a level of research and simply means to persevere in my search for info. I’ve learned over the years about genetic mutations and have found a practitioner who through saliva, hair, and urine creates a profile to determine ones biological bent if you will, and how to supplement but Lara is the first person I’ve heard speak out on how to remineralize one’s bones taking these factors into account. Can you share with me your source for genetic testing to determine the important pathways for metabolizing bone so I can learn my individual profile and understand if I need more K, certain B vitamins, and or A from fish oil, etc.? Congratulations to you folks on finding ways for putting so much of this info together and for creating a wonderful product.
    John

  23. Blaire AlgaeCal

    November 8, 2019 , 3:09 pm

    Hi John,

    Thank you for reaching out to us and for your kind words! It’s so great to hear that you’ve been doing your own research. For genetic testing, we recommend a company called Genova Diagnostics. You can learn more about them here.

    Hope that helps! Let us know if you have any further questions ?

    – Blaire @ AlgaeCal

  24. John

    November 15, 2019 , 8:30 pm

    Thanks Blaire

  25. Jody Bertram

    August 5, 2020 , 4:17 pm

    Hi Lara,
    I have not read your book but plan on buying it. I watched your video 3 and appreciate you sharing your story.
    I took AlgaeCal Plus for two months but then stopped. I am concerned about the lead levels in the product. What can you tell me about them because I am at a loss to treat my osteoporosis. I don’t want to go on the drugs the doctor suggests. Thank you for any input you can give.

  26. Blaire AlgaeCal

    August 6, 2020 , 11:26 am

    Hi Jody,

    Thanks for reaching out to us! We’re so glad you enjoyed hearing Lara’s story, and her book is certainly an amazing resource ?

    We’re happy to address your concern, Jody. There are trace amounts of lead in AlgaeCal similar to most other foods. It is present in small amounts that fall well within the safety standards of the USFDA, EPA, Health Canada, and World Health Organization. See, every vegetable that grows in the soil or water has normal, safe amounts of lead in it – and the marine algae in AlgaeCal is no exception.

    As a plant, AlgaeCal naturally absorbs the minerals around it, including lead, even in a pristine environment. Any plant that absorbs calcium will also absorb some lead because both calcium and lead are divalent cations and absorbed using the same pathway.

    There are large amounts of calcium in AlgaeCal compared to lead, and this means calcium will ultimately win at the absorption site. So the amount of lead absorbed is minimal. Furthermore, your body will naturally clear normal amounts of lead daily, through urine, feces, and sweat, unless there is a sudden spike that surpasses your body’s capacity to clear. Giving further perspective, the US Government’s Center For Disease Control publication “Inorganic Lead Exposure, Metabolism and Intoxication” states that “…typical intakes of lead from food, beverages, and inhaled air are in the order of 300 – 500 mcg per day.” The lead amount found in AlgaeCal is a minuscule fraction of that!

    The bone-building benefits of AlgaeCal come from the complete complex of bone supporting minerals. These minerals make AlgaeCal the only calcium supplement with three, peer-reviewed, and published human clinical studies supporting it can actually increase bone density in older adults. Safety has been well established during the most recent 7-year study, which included 45 blood panel chemistries drawn at the baseline and end of the study. It is completely safe to take and we highly recommend it for anyone who is looking to turn their bone health around – safely and naturally.

    We hope the above adequately addresses your concern. If you have any questions or if we can provide any further information on the matter, please don’t hesitate to reach out to us – we’re always happy to help ❤️

    – Blaire @ AlgaeCal

  27. Leo Morales

    September 6, 2020 , 12:01 pm

    Where can I get Video #2 of your personal story please? There is no link where it says video 2 of your personal story.

    (In our next video (video 2), “I’ll share with you what I personally had to learn to beat osteoporosis”.

    Thank you!

  28. Megan AlgaeCal

    September 6, 2020 , 1:04 pm

    Hi Leo!

    Here are the links for video #2 and video #3.

    Hope you find Lara’s story as inspiring as we do! 🙂

    -Megan @ AlgaeCal

  29. Rohit

    January 25, 2022 , 12:35 pm

    Can you point me to your yt video where you compare Algaecal to Calcium Lactate?

  30. Kirby Johnson

    January 25, 2022 , 2:41 pm

    Hi Rohit,

    Happy to help! Lara discusses calcium lactate and other forms of calcium HERE. If you have any follow-up questions, please don’t hesitate to let us know!

    – Kirby @ AlgaeCal

  31. Patricia Evans

    March 7, 2022 , 4:08 pm

    Hello, Is it possible for the AlgaeCal/Strontium Boost regime to raise blood pressure?

  32. Kirby Johnson

    March 8, 2022 , 10:54 am

    Patricia,

    Thanks so much for reaching out with your question. Calcium and natural forms of strontium, when properly balanced by magnesium (as it is in AlgaeCal Plus) haven’t been found to increase blood pressure. Our Bone Health Expert, Lara Pizzorno states, “A lack of magnesium can contribute to the lining of our blood vessels not being able to relax as effectively, which can increase risk for elevated blood pressure. AlgaeCal Plus is providing you with a significant amount of magnesium, 350 mg, which is in 2:1 (calcium:magnesium) balance with the calcium it provides.”

    While it’s highly unlikely that supplementing with AlgaeCal Plus or Strontium Boost will contribute to high blood pressure, your body is the ultimate arbiter of what works for you and we encourage you to trust yourself. We’re always happy to provide additional information and are here to support you on your bone-health journey <3
    - Kirby

  33. Betty Warrington-Kearsley

    May 26, 2022 , 7:54 am

    Lara’s story really encourages me in this genetic cause of the osteoporosis in my case. I am of mixed heritage, being both English (Dad) & a wonderful Chinese mother. I think the osteoporosis genetics comes from Mum’s family, more likely. I would love to try the AlgaeCal route , but at present am using SeaCal which uses the same algae source as AlgaeCal. Plus Vit. K2 from Innovite, Vit. D3 2,500 IUs per day . And I am feeling much better. The Bone scan I had last year read: Moderate Osteoporosis. I declined Bisphosphonate treatment, including Pro- something similar but by 6 monthly injections. A dental surgeon told a friend to avoid it because it damaged the gums! I’m 80 this year and continue to garden, TaiChi, & walk, & attend Seniors’ Ballet classes to keep posture erect. It is hard some days but I keep prodding myself!

  34. Lisbeth E Majchrowski

    October 7, 2022 , 10:40 pm

    They just found that I have a mild fracture on T11 and I’m being told by doctors to take bone meds to make my bones stronger. I don’t know if this mild fracture will get better. For several years I’ve been taking two AlgaeCal in the morning. Now I want to take the 4 AlgaeCal I’m supposed to take with strontium. Should I take the AlgaeCal/ strontium and bone meds? I’m so afraid to take the bone meds because of the fractures they report, but now I’m dealing with a mild fracture on my vertebrae and don’t want it to get worse or get more fractures on my other vertebrates. What should I do? Please write to me, Lara. Liz Majchrowski. E-mail: [email protected]

  35. Chelsea Dugas

    October 12, 2022 , 11:51 am

    Hello, Lisbeth!

    Thank you for reaching out. As requested, I’ve sent you an email at the address provided. Hope this helps! 🙂

    – Chelsea @ AlgaeCal

  36. Jean

    March 7, 2023 , 12:05 am

    Hi Lara, from a Seattle sister! 🙂

    I started perimenopause in my mid-40s. My first DEXA in 2017 (at age 55) showed osteopenia and mild osteoporosis. The next two DEXAs show my osteoporosis has gotten worse. My case is complicated in that I have cardiac sarcoidosis and fibromyalgia (both inflammatory immune illnesses.) I am incredibly sensitive to any medications. For instance, the tiniest amount of Mg has me running for the bathroom. I also must be very careful with Vitamin D due to my sarcoidosis, which can mess with the Vitamin D/calcium/parathyroid process.

    I suffer from chronic fatigue which makes it difficult for me to get regular exercise, although I do my best to walk, both outdoors and on a treadmill when our rainy Seattle weather keeps me inside. I also do daily squats and stretching.

    I would love to take AlgaeCal but am worried about the amount of Vitamin D it contains. (I normally take between 0 and 500 iu’s per day.) As is typical for sarcoidosis patients, I usually have a very low D25 (inactive D) but normal to high D1,25 (active D.)

    So I’m a “delicate flower” as my dear husband calls me. I would love to consult with you to see if there’s a safe way I can take AlgaeCal and Strontium. I’d really like to protect my bone density from from getting worse!

    BTW, I am a huge fan and former patient of Bastyr. If you yourself are not personally consulting with patients, I would super appreciate a referral to a Bastyr physician. 🙂

    Cheers!
    Jean

  37. Lara Pizzorno, MDiv, MA, LMT

    March 9, 2023 , 1:28 pm

    Hi Jean,
    Unfortunately, both AlgaeCal Plus and Algaecal Basic contain more D3 than you can tolerate. My best suggestion for you is to try to mimic the mineral content of AlgaeCal: 720 mg of calcium, 350 mg of magnesium; 3-6 mg of boron along with at least the RDIs for manganese, selenium, copper, and zinc — please see Healthy Bones, Healthy You! chapters on each of these trace minerals for information of dosages shown to be helpful in the research. Re magnesium, try taking it with P5P, which is the active form of B6 in which B6 ushers magnesium into our cells where it does its work for us. ~25% of us have a genetic inheritance that results in their not activating B6 well, and this results in problems absorbing magnesium. When we do not, osmotic diarrhea results. P5P is safe and very inexpensive, so would be worth a try to see if this helps you. Dose is 50 mg, take it along with magnesium. You will also want to take vitamin K2, Life Extension has a decent vitamin K supplement that provides K1 and K2. You want a dose of 100 mcg of K2 in the form of MK-7.
    If your kidney function is good (an eGFR of 60 or higher), you can take Strontium Boost. Make sure to take strontium several hours after taking anything with calcium in it (food or supplement). Calcium and strontium compete for absorption; calcium will always be preferentially absorbed over strontium, so when taken at the same time, little if any strontium will be absorbed. Re a referral, the NDs I have relied upon are not currently available — one left Seattle to move back to Maine, the other just had a baby, so is hardly in her office at the moment. If you want to go to Bastyr Clinic, you could try calling there and asking to see a clinician who uses my protocol and has read my books (Your Bones and Healthy Bones, Healthy You!) or has read my chapter on Osteoporosis in the latest (5th) edition of the Textbook of Natural Medicine. If you’d be OK going elsewhere, I highly recommend Dr. Fernando Vega, MD, at Seattle Healing Arts. Hope this helps!

  38. Marilyn Pinkerton

    March 10, 2023 , 1:46 pm

    Lara, Sorry to have to bother you. Called the largest Walmart store in Mesa, they. know nothing about this. Would like to get a bottle or two at the discounted price. Thank you, Marilyn Pinkerton

  39. Yoori AlgaeCal

    March 13, 2023 , 8:44 pm

    Thank you for reaching out, Marilyn! If you’d like to purchase AlgaeCal through Walmart, please visit their website HERE as it is only available online for US Walmart inventory.

    I hope this helps! If you need any further support, please give us a call at 1-800-820-0184 or email at [email protected]. We are always happy to help! 🙂

    – Yoori @ AlgaeCal

  40. Charlotte Nolan

    March 26, 2023 , 9:16 am

    I;m skeptical. There is very few physicians that don’t encourage the horrible Osteoporosis medications that harm your health. I will look for your book.

  41. Chelsea Dugas

    March 27, 2023 , 1:40 pm

    Lara’s book is full of wonderful, scientifically-backed information, Charlotte – a must-read for sure! 🙂

    – Chelsea @ AlgaeCal

  42. lynette Dvorkin

    April 20, 2023 , 11:03 am

    I was Just diagnosed with bone density of -3.7. I went online and did research and decided to use Bonexcin. You opinion please and should I add AlgaeCal to this. Do you recommend anything else?? I am 75 yrs and do weights,walk and do yoga

  43. Megan Khera

    April 20, 2023 , 12:24 pm

    Hi Iynette,

    Thanks for reaching out! We are so sorry to hear about your bone loss. While we are unfamiliar with the formula of Bonexcin, AlgaeCal is the only calcium supplement clinically supported to increase bone density (to review the research, visit our website HERE. That said, we don’t recommend taking another calcium supplement with AlgaeCal. AlgaeCal Plus provides 720 mg of plant-based calcium and the average western diet provides another 500 mg. This means that you’ll reach the recommended 1200mg of calcium each day, all through food sources! Feel free to call our Bone Health Consultants at 1-800-820-0184 (USA & Canada toll-free) for more information!

    – Megan @ AlgaeCal

  44. Allie

    June 2, 2023 , 12:57 pm

    Hi Lara,
    I recently found out I have osteoporosis and hypercalcemia at the age of 50 due to a misfiring parathyroid. I will have surgery to remove it in a few months. I am wondering if I should start on AlgaeCal now or wait until after the surgery. Thanks for your help!
    Allie

    PS. I found your website then coincidentally happened to pick up a book on bone health from the library which turned out to be your book. Seems like a good sign!

  45. Samantha AlgaeCal

    June 5, 2023 , 11:50 am

    Thank you for your interest in AlgaeCal, Allie! We’re so sorry to hear about your recent bone loss diagnosis. As you will be having surgery in a few months, we recommend speaking with your doctor to see if AlgaeCal is appropriate for you at this time. We have an excellent information sheet you can share with them here. Feel free to let us know if you have further questions!

    – Sam @ AlgaeCal

  46. Catherine A Cowan

    October 19, 2023 , 7:40 pm

    I received your book Healthy Bones, from a friend who graduated from Bastyr
    I have had Osteoporosis for quite a few years, My mother had it. lived until she was 98. I am 76, she was on Fomax and stopped. I started many years ago taking Fosmax
    It was very bad for me, and I stopped it to..
    I have been on Prolia for 3 doses now. One in September/March.
    My question can I benefit from Algae Cal supplements. while I am on Prolia…………….I don’t like taking it, but gave in a year and half ago.

    Thank you

  47. Catherine A Cowan

    October 19, 2023 , 7:47 pm

    I am a 76 year old Woman. I received your Book Healthy Bones, from a friend that graduated from Bastyr. I have osteoporosis, My Mother had it too, she took Fosax for a time, stopped it, as I did………it gave me upper indigestion/.Heart burn issues. She lived until she was 98, we have a history of Heart Disease.

    I live in Seattle and my profile is much like you, small frame and Caucasian.
    I broke down a year and a half ago,, and started on Prolia injection. I have had 3 of them.. My question would I benefit from taking AlgaeCal Supplement.
    Thank you in advance

  48. Samantha AlgaeCal

    October 20, 2023 , 10:43 am

    Thank you for reaching out, Catherine and we’re sorry to hear about your bone loss diagnosis! The good news is, it’s never too late to reclaim your bone health safely and naturally with AlgaeCal! AlgaeCal is clinically supported to increase bone density, no matter how much has been lost. We have many wonderful success stories (including before and after DEXA scans) you can see here.

    Additionally, AlgaeCal is not contraindicated with bone medications and provides the vitamins and minerals that are needed for healthy bones. However, we always recommend checking this information with your doctor for the best recommendation! You can find a copy of our doctor information sheet here. Please don’t hesitate to call our Bone Health Consultants at 1-800-820-0184 (USA & Canada toll-free) if you have further questions or concerns!
    – Sam

  49. Ines Sajgalik

    October 30, 2023 , 2:23 pm

    Hello, this is a question for Dr. Lara,

    I was reading that when researchers tested the specific omega-3 fatty acids contained in fish oil individually, they found that while EPA did not affect cholesterol levels, DHA increased them.

    I have high cholesterol and the naturapath at the health store agreed with this statement recommended to purchase a High EPA Omega3 (665mg ) with a lower DHA (133 mg). I will have to take 2 capsules of this Omega 3/day. I just would like to confirm if this assessment of cholesterol levels and its relation to DHA is accurate or not. I wouldn’t want to take a higher dose of DHA if that is going to increase my cholesterol…… Thank you for your help.

  50. Kendra AlgaeCal

    November 1, 2023 , 3:59 pm

    Hi Ines, this is a really great question! We’ve forwarded your question to Lara Pizzorno, and she’s come up with a response 🙂 It is quite in-depth, so we will email this to you instead! Please keep an eye out for your inbox. Just a heads up! Sometimes our emails end up in the junk or spam folders, so if it’s not appearing in your inbox, keep in mind it might be in those other folders as well! – Kendra

  51. Vivian

    November 26, 2023 , 10:47 am

    I have been reading all the information on your website. I was diagnosed with Osteoporosis a couple months ago, and my doctor wants me to have a drug infusion once a year. There are some bad possible side effects of this drug, one of them being osteonecrosis of the jaw. If I start taking AlgaeCal will that be sufficient to treat Osteoporosis.

    Thanks

    Vivian

  52. Yoori AlgaeCal

    November 27, 2023 , 4:10 pm

    Thank you for sharing your concern with us, Vivian. AlgaeCal is the only calcium supplement that is clinically supported to increase bone density naturally. Please call our Bone Health Consultants at 1-800-820-0184 (US & Canada Toll-free) or email [email protected], and we’d be happy to provide personalized support for you!

    – Yoori

  53. Pam Lanzi

    November 26, 2023 , 6:44 pm

    Hello. I so want to stop taking my medication for my osteoporosis that I have been on for 4 years now. And, although, I haven’t had any side affects and have increased my bone density, I feel the need to do it naturally which is really more my style. I am 66 years old — in very good health — but was very persuaded to do this medication. I have such fear of stopping this medication — without going on another type of osteoporsis medication — according to what my doctor says and what I have read — that I will lose all what I have gained on meds and will be more vulnerable to having fractures. I play competitive tennis 3 times a week and keep very active.
    I have just recently read your book, Your Bones, and would like to know IF you would recommend stopping my Prolia medication and begin the AlgweCal Plus (4 capsules) and Strontium Boost (2 capsules) daily.

  54. Yoori AlgaeCal

    November 27, 2023 , 4:14 pm

    Thank you for sharing your concern with us, Pam. AlgaeCal is clinically supported to increase bone density, and we recommend it as part of any bone health regimen. We always suggest discussing any medication changes with your doctor, as we are not medical professionals. You may find it helpful to bring THIS AlgaeCal information sheet to your next appointment.

    In the meantime, please call our Bone Health Consultants at 1-800-820-0184 (US & Canada Toll-free) or email [email protected], and we’d be happy to provide personalized support for you!

    – Yoori

  55. Shelley

    February 29, 2024 , 3:30 am

    That gives me hope. How did it fix your inherited vitamin D receptor polymorphism so you could absorb the D

  56. Yoori AlgaeCal

    February 29, 2024 , 3:21 pm

    We are happy to hear that Lara’s story was helpful for you, Shelley. In THIS blog article, Lara shared how taking 10,000 IU of vitamin D every day has helped her get her vitamin D blood levels to the normal range. Please note that the amount of vitamin D you need depends on your blood level and health status. We suggest checking with your doctor on the optimal amount of vitamin D supplementation that would be best for YOU! 🙂 I hope this helps!

    – Yoori

  57. Linda Zarnowski

    May 5, 2024 , 8:55 am

    Congratulations to Lara!! Using Algaecal and Strontium has also helped my bone density to increase!! I will be going for my next DEXA scan in the fall and hoping that I will continue to increase my bone density.

  58. Yoori AlgaeCal

    May 6, 2024 , 6:13 pm

    Fantastic, Linda! Please keep us updated on your ongoing progress! 🙂
    – Yoori

  59. Brenda L Hutchens

    May 15, 2024 , 9:39 am

    Very enlightening. Thank you.

  60. Yoori AlgaeCal

    May 15, 2024 , 3:46 pm

    Our absolute pleasure, Brenda :).
    – Yoori

  61. EVELYN LAM

    August 12, 2024 , 9:02 am

    Confused with the information for AlgaeCal-
    I just received 8/11/24 my first subscription of Algae Cal & Strontium.
    I’m 65, an asian female, 100 lbs and have been taking 1200 mg Calcium carbonate (recently changed to Calcium Citrate) most of my adult life. In 2021 my DXA shows I have mild osteopenia, recently, after reading Lara Pizzorno’s “Your Bones” book, I decided to try AlgaeCal & Strontium.
    According to the bottle, I’m supposed to take 4 caps per day which totals 720 mg Calcium, so, I am now confused, if I should take 6 caps which only provides 1080 mg Calcium and hopefully add the difference with my daily food source?
    Please advise.

  62. Yoori AlgaeCal

    August 12, 2024 , 5:42 pm

    Thank you for reaching out, Evelyn! We do not suggest taking more than the suggested daily 4 capsules of AlgaeCal Plus, and here is why! AlgaeCal is very intentionally designed with 720mg of calcium in your daily dose and that’s because we take into consideration that the average dietary intake of calcium is 400-500mg of calcium daily, so that plus AlgaeCal Plus is approximately 1200mg per day – and it’s all coming from whole food, body friendly sources! 🙂

    I hope this information clarifies any confusion, Evelyn! 🙂 Please feel free to give us a call at 1-800-820-0184 (US & Canada Toll-free) or email [email protected] for any additional questions!

    – Yoori

This article features advice based on cutting-edge research from our industry experts to give you the best possible information to support your bone-building journey.

Lara Pizzorno
MDiv, MA, LMT - Best-selling author of Healthy Bones Healthy You! and Your Bones; Editor of Longevity Medicine Review, and Senior Medical Editor for Integrative Medicine Advisors.,
Dr. Liz Lipski
PhD, CNS, FACN, IFMP, BCHN, LDN - Professor and Director of Academic Development, Nutrition programs in Clinical Nutrition at Maryland University of Integrative Health.,
Dr. Emma Gasinski
PT, DPT, RYT - Physical therapist and certified yoga teacher with a Doctorate in Physical Therapy from Rocky Mountain University of Health Professionals,
Dr. Lawrence (Larry) A. May
MD, FACP, Harvard Medical School Graduate, Physician, Author, Public Speaker - Doctor of Internal Medicine at Providence Cedars-Sinai Tarzana Medical Center and author of several articles and books, including the widely utilized and best selling medical textbook Primary Care Medicine,