Bone health is not high on most people’s worry list. It is invisible and certainly below the surface of concern. Unfortunately, when a problem is discovered it is invariably after a fracture or an abnormal bone density test. Up to that point, let’s face it, what we don’t know can hurt us.
Decreased bone density can signal weakness of other organ systems. For instance, if your bones are losing calcium and strength, it is likely that it’s more than a calcium deficiency and related to Vitamin D levels, blood glucose surges, hormonal flux or adrenal function (high cortisol levels will inhibit bone formation) or… well a lot of other things that aren’t called calcium. In fact, in my experience, osteoporosis can be successfully controlled by thoroughly dealing with inflammation and hormone issues. That’s why I’m writing this—because all the most recent scientific studies show that a combination of factors, organ systems, food intake and genes, determine your bone strength health, and it turns out that you have control of about 80% of that.
Quickly, initial bone loss (below normal) is called osteopenia and more substantial bone loss is called osteoporosis. If you are reading this, probably you or someone you care about is suffering from either of these. This is scary, because fracture is so sudden, painful and disabling.
Here’s the deal: In osteoporosis, we are constantly making and losing (excreting) bone matrix all the time. In fact, your bones are replaced every seven years. It’s a balance thing with some going out while some is going in. This process is pushed toward losing matrix with low functioning organ systems in the body. We’re unable to add matrix if we can’t absorb correctly or form matrix out of our diet. It’s just not a simple issue of not having enough calcium.
We’ve been told for many years that you can solve this problem by taking drugs like bisphosphonates (Fosamax, Boniva). Well, kinda. Initially the bone mass will increase but not in the way you, or anyone else, would like. It turns out that the crystal lattice structure that sets the stage for the incredible stability in bone (like concrete and re-bar) is not stabilized by these drugs at all. So these woman, after a few years of taking the drug do not improve, but in fact have increased fractures in odd places, like the middle of the thigh bone—very unusual. This is because these drugs don’t allow any natural breakdown of bone leading to old, funky bone. Also, if that wasn’t disappointing enough, taking calcium supplements simply doesn’t work because low calcium is not the cause in the first place.
So where doesthis strong bone matrix come from? Well, let’s take a look at absorption.
First, minerals are absorbed in the small intestine and if it is inflamed we absorb fewer minerals. In this case, calcium, zinc, copper, magnesium can’t be used to make bone. This is the reason osteoporosis is high with celiac disease, Crohn’s disease and autoimmune disease. These conditions all involve inflamed intestines and malabsorption.
Second, the retention/secretion issue here is basically one of acid/base relationships and a net alkalinizing diet. A diet with at least 20% coming from fruits and veggies should do the trick.
Third, clearly hormone flux can be at the heart of bone loss and evaluation of all the players of hormone function need to be at optimal levels.
We have to look at each person as an individual because the cause in one person may not be the same cause in another. Proper lab work with bone markers and adrenal gland testing for proper cortisol levels is required. Gut testing and clear and concise exercise options are a must.
If this makes sense to you, let’s take a look at your total profile to find out what your body can tell us about your bone density matrix.
If you are interested in seeing if you are a candidate for our breakthrough procedures for treating Bone Loss give us a call at (925) 279-4325 or visit WalnutCreekHealth.com to schedule a free consultation.
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