An Overview Of Bone Health And How To Prevent Osteoporosis

The bones in the human body are living parts that are constantly being replaced through a turnover process. There are multiple cells in bones that make this happen. Osteoclasts are cells that eat away at living bone to create small channels which then allow bone forming cells, called osteoblasts, to lay down new bone. This is called remodeling.

This bone turnover process is regulated by hormones. As one ages, hormone levels begin to decline, especially beyond the age of 40. This may result in decreased bone turnover, or a change in the ratio of bone formation to resorption. When less bone is being formed than resorbed, then bone density will decrease accordingly. Up to a certain point, this does not increase one’s risk of fracture. Eventually one ends up with osteopenia, which is a decrease in bone density (demineralization) over 1.5 standard deviations from that seen in the baseline “young normals.” Once the individual reaches 2.5 standard deviations below the “young normal” the term is then osteoporosis (severe demineralization). These numbers are attained with a bone density scan.

What are the variables interfering with bone regeneration? Diet is extremely important. Intake of too much soda and eating too many processed foods can leach calcium out of one’s bones. Another important variable is declining hormone levels. As this occurs, the ratio of bone production to resorption may be adversely affected and demineralization may result.

It should be noted that over-exercising may lead to decreased bone density and osteoporosis. A normal amount of weight bearing exercise is helpful to bone health and may increase bone density. Exercising too much may lead to a triad of problems including disordered eating, amenorrhea (loss of a girl’s period), and osteoporosis.

Women begin losing bone density in their twenties, and the major reason for this is altered hormonal levels. The best management program for maintaining bone density is bioidentical hormone replacement treatment (BHRT). The reason is bioidentical hormones provide natural hormones identical to what the body produces. The usual hormone replacements dispensed by pharmaceutical companies are composed of synthetic hormones. These have a lot of potential side effects and made in a laboratory.

The evaluated hormones during BHRT include progesterone, estradiol, thyroid hormones, and testosterone. Getting those hormones back to prime levels can reduce a patient’s fracture possibility along with increasing energy, creativity, concentration, vitality, while diminishing wrinkles and blood pressure. The combo of benefits is incredible.

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