In this episode, we tackle The Silent Epidemic of Bone Loss, exploring why strong bones start with understanding how your body maintains them. Osteoporosis currently affects over 10 million Americans, with an additional 44 million at risk due to declining bone density. This disease disproportionately impacts women (over 80% of those affected), and annually leads to 2 million fractures, costing the U.S. nearly $19 billion.

Go beyond the myth of rigid bone: We reveal that bone is actually a living, vascular, and dynamic tissue that constantly breaks down and rebuilds itself. Learn about Your Bone Remodeling Crew, a construction team working 24/7, composed of Osteoblasts (which build new bone), Osteoclasts (which break down old bone), and Osteocytes (the "project managers"). We discuss how after the mid-20s, bone mass peaks and then plateaus, making consistent deposits crucial to prevent the balance from shifting toward loss.

Uncovering the Hidden Drivers:

We look beyond standard bone density measurements to evaluate hormonal balance, inflammation, and lifestyle as interconnected systems. Discover the major influence of hormones on bone metabolism:

• Estrogen and testosterone play a protective role. The drop in estrogen during menopause can accelerate bone resorption for 5–8 years.
• Cortisol, the stress hormone, breaks down bone and muscle when chronically elevated.
• Thyroid hormones regulate bone turnover, and levels that are either too high or too low can lead to loss.

We also highlight Inflammation, Gut Health, and Bone Loss. Inflammation is one of the most under-recognized contributors to osteoporosis, as factors like dysbiosis, poor diet, infections, and autoimmune disorders can stimulate the immune system and activate osteoclasts, leading to accelerated breakdown. At Thrive, we investigate underlying contributors by testing markers such as hs-CRP, homocysteine, and gut health panels that traditional care often overlooks.

The Takeaway: By addressing hormonal, inflammatory, and lifestyle factors early, bone loss becomes preventable and even reversible.

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