The Gut-Bone Connection

This week on the Health Made Simple Show, we are discussing one of the top growing concerns of aging: bone health. 

Watch the live show below:

What is Osteoporosis? 

Osteoporosis is a progressive (often symptomless) bone disease that results in bone loss and weakening over time. 

Not to be confused with osteopenia (the beginning stages of full-blown osteoporosis) or osteoarthritis (a degenerative disease that derives from nutrient deficiency (calcium/ phosphorus imbalance), which blocks nutrients from reaching the bone joints, wearing them down over time). 

Bone density problems arise when the body’s natural process of bone rebuilding is disrupted. Our bones have osteoclast and osteoblast cells that break down old and rebuild new bone to keep our bodies strong. When this process starts to go wrong, osteoporosis can begin to develop. 

Who’s at risk?

There are many factors that affect your overall bone health, including nutrition, medication consumption, previous presence of injury, and hormonal changes. Oftentimes, it is difficult to know if your bone health has receded, apart from getting a Dexta scan. 

It is a common misconception that as you age, you become more susceptible to developing bone density problems, but Dr. Bart argues that this is not the case. With proper nutrition, and moving your body regularly, you can stay on top of your bone health. 

Unfortunately, the cause of bone health problems has been widely miscommunicated over the last few decades. 

Despite the common belief that calcium = strong bones and teeth, there is actually no evidence that correlates calcium consumption with bone health. Remember those “got milk?” commercials that used to be on TV? What ever happened to them? Turns out, the FDA ordered they be pulled off the air, as it was propagating misleading information about the health benefits of cow milk. North American dairy farming practices are becoming less and less nutrition-oriented (and more profit maximizing oriented), posing serious health concerns for the future of milk drinkers.  

The Top Risk Factors 

Did you know that 50% of people with osteoporosis over the age of 50 that experience a hip fracture will die within one year of their accident? 

Bone health is something to be prioritized, especially as we age. If you want to know if you are at risk of developing bone density problems, take a look at the top 5 risk factors:

• Poor gut health is the #1 cause of bone degeneration. Alcohol, gluten, and sugar consumption leads to leaky gut. Leaky gut causes systemic inflammation, which causes mineral absorption issues. Common medications like antacids and antidepressants also diminish important vitamins and minerals (like Vitamin C and zinc) that healthy bones need. 
• Inactive Lifestyle: Physical activity promotes osteoblastic activity. When we make our bodies heavier (putting muscular stress on our bones), it ignites the process of them getting stronger and over time, increases bone density. 
• Post menopausal women: Hormonal changes that are not addressed can result in imbalances that negatively affect bone density. 
• Nutritional deficiency (low Vitamin D will negatively affect your body’s regulation of calcium).

How to heal your bones 

Looking for some guidance on the best ways to nourish your bones? Here’s our top suggestions: 

• Omega 3’s: Sardines and mackerel are great food sources of healthy fats and protein. 
• Adequate protein intake: Raw bone meal is a great dietary supplement. 
• Cod Liver oil.
• Calcium: Leafy greens (like kale or spinach) are an excellent source of calcium. Calcifood is a good supplement as well. 
• Magnesium

Even if you have not had a Dexta scan or an osteoporosis diagnosis, you should consider proactively supporting your bone health. 

Clinical Insights

Just because you’ve gotten older doesn’t mean you can’t discover the strongest version of yourself! In this week’s clinical insights, you’ll learn about:

• A 59-year-old female who’s the healthiest she’s ever been after cutting out THIS common destructive habit. 
• A 50-year-old female who gave her hormone health a 180 after taking THIS magical power herb.  

Looking to improve your own bone health but don’t know where to start? Contact our clinic today so we can help! 

What’s Next?

We have put together a dashboard of all of Dr. Bart’s videos, based on health topics, in our Level-Up Health Membership.

This library of health content is low cost, so we can help you on your journey to becoming superhuman! 

Not only is it extensive, but it will continue to expand with new videos each month. Also, you will have the opportunity to share these videos with your friends and family!

Dr. Bart Precourt

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