Avoid These Ingredients if You Have Osteoporosis (New Research) | Mira Dessy and Margie Bissinger

Some of the biggest threats to your bone health may be hiding in foods you eat every single day, even foods marketed as “healthy.” Today, I’m revisiting one of the most popular conversations ever on my YouTube channel with nutrition expert Mira Dessy, The Ingredient Guru. This information is simply too important not to share again.

We talk about the hidden ingredients commonly found in packaged and processed foods that may negatively affect both your bone health and your overall well-being. The good news? This episode is not about fear or perfection. It’s about awareness and making simple, realistic swaps over time.

Mira explains why ingredients like carrageenan, EDTA, phosphoric acid, and excess caffeine may interfere with nutrient absorption, increase inflammation, and potentially contribute to bone loss. We also discuss why the “low-fat” mindset may actually work against your bones by interfering with the absorption of important fat-soluble vitamins like vitamins D and K.

We also share practical ways to reduce these ingredients without overwhelm. You can learn how small, sustainable changes can make a meaningful difference for your bones and your overall health.

“I encourage people to be brand disloyal…You really want to make sure that you’re being proactive for yourself. Make sure that you’re looking, not for the brand, not for what’s on the front of the package, but for what’s in the ingredients.“

~ Mira Dessy

In this episode:

[03:29] – Carrageenan, emulsifiers, and gut inflammation explained
[12:22] – How gums may affect digestion and nutrient absorption
[14:55] – Why EDTA may interfere with calcium absorption
[18:44] – The surprising connection between caffeine and bone health
[22:06] – Non-caffeinated coffee alternatives
[30:16] – Why low-fat foods may weaken bone health
[33:19] – Phosphoric acid, soda, and mineral depletion
[39:29] – Simple ways to reduce harmful ingredients without overwhelm
[40:59] – Easy bone broth nutrition hacks for stronger bones
[43:37] – New research linking ultra-processed foods to poor bone health

Resources mentioned

– Get discounted supplements at Margie’s Fullscript dispensary (SALE 5/18-5/21)

– More Natural Approaches to Osteoporosis & Bone Health Summit – free 8 days

– Mira’s Substack

– January Zine (free for everyone)

– The Pantry Principle: How to Read the Label and Understand What’s Really In Your Food

– Avoid the Bone Health Bandits ebook