#214 - AMA #37: Bone health—everything you need to know
whatshot 9 snips
Jul 18, 2022
Delve into the essentials of bone health for all ages. Discover how bone mineral density fluctuates and why it's crucial to maintain strong bones. Learn about the roles of osteoblasts and osteoclasts in bone composition and the vital impact of nutrition and exercise. Vitamin D’s importance in calcium absorption is highlighted, along with the risks linked to poor bone health, including the severe impact of hip fractures. Strategies for enhancing bone density and minimizing damage during inactivity are also discussed.
17:22
forum Ask episode
web_stories AI Snips
view_agenda Chapters
auto_awesome Transcript
info_circle Episode notes
insights INSIGHT
Bone as a Living Tissue
Bone is living tissue and plays a vital role beyond structure.
It's heavily vascularized and crucial for calcium homeostasis and immune cell production.
insights INSIGHT
Bone Remodeling
Osteoblasts build bone, while osteoclasts remove it, constantly remodeling.
This process maintains calcium balance, crucial for cellular function.
question_answer ANECDOTE
Rickets Anecdote
A child in Rwanda with rickets had extremely flexible, soft bones due to malnutrition.
Nutritional correction restored normal bone function within six months.
Get the Snipd Podcast app to discover more snips from this episode
In this “Ask Me Anything” (AMA) episode, Peter dives deep into the topic of bone health and explains why this is an important topic for everyone, from children to the elderly. He begins with an overview of bone mineral density, how it's measured, how it changes over the course of life, and the variability between sexes largely due to changes in estrogen levels. From there he provides insights into ways that one can improve bone health, from exercise to nutrition supplements to drugs. Additionally, Peter discusses what happens when one may be forced to be sedentary (e.g., bedrest) and how you can work to minimize the damage during these periods.
If you’re not a subscriber and listening on a podcast player, you’ll only be able to hear a preview of the AMA. If you’re a subscriber, you can now listen to this full episode on your private RSS feed or on our website at the AMA #37 show notes page. If you are not a subscriber, you can learn more about the subscriber benefits here.
We discuss:
Overview of bone health topics to be discussed [1:45];
Bones 101: bone function, structure, and more [5:15];
Bone mineral density (BMD), minerals in bone, role of osteoblasts and osteoclasts, and more [8:30];
The consequences of poor bone health [13:30];
The devastating nature of hip fractures: morbidity and mortality data [17:00];
Where fractures tend to occur in the body [23:00];
Defining osteopenia and osteoporosis [24:30];
Measuring BMD with DEXA and how to interpret scores [27:00];
Variability in BMD between sexes [34:15];
When should people have their first bone mineral density scan? [36:45];
How BMD changes throughout the life and how it differs between men and women [39:00];
How changes in estrogen levels (e.g., menopause) impact bone health [44:00];
Why HRT is not considered a standard of care for postmenopausal bone loss [47:30];
Factors determining who may be at higher risk of poor bone health [50:30];
Common drugs that can negatively impact BMD [54:15];
How children can optimize bone health and lay the foundation for the future [57:45];
Types of physical activity that can positively impact bone health [1:02:30];
How weight loss can negatively impact bone health and how exercise can counteract those effects [1:10:45];
Nutrition and supplements for bone health [1:14:15];
Pharmaceutical drugs prescribed for those with low BMD [1:17:15];
Impact of extreme sedentary periods (e.g., bedrest) and how to minimize their damage to bone [1:22:00]; and
The Peter Attia Drive