The Belly Secret Behind STRONGER Bones
By
Dr. Scott Olson, ND
Posted December 30, 2023
Osteoporosis afflicts millions of us (and NOT just women!).
As bone weakens, the risk of fragility and fracture skyrockets.
Hearing this, I bet your first thought is that you need to get enough calcium. But truthfully, that’s mostly just advertising.
You see, your bones are much MORE than just calcium. And if you want them to last throughout your lifetime, you must feed them MANY different nutrients.
And one more thing.
Emerging research suggests an unexpected factor could be affecting your bone density…
Earlier this week, I explained how to increase your probiotic intake by eating more fermented foods. (If you missed that issue, you can catch up here.)
Well, it turns out that when you do, you could be protecting your bone health at the same time.
Because new research reveals, gut bacteria can affect your bone density.
The trillions of microbes inhabiting your intestines, known collectively as your gut microbiome, impact MANY aspects of health. And we are discovering new ones every day.
Now, scientists say they’ve uncovered yet another link between our microbiome and overall health. And this time, it’s our bones that benefit from a healthy gut!
The new study published in the journal Frontiers in Endocrinology confirms there’s growing evidence that the number of certain gut microbes is linked to bone health.
The study found that two types of bad bacteria harm the bone health of older people:
- Akkermansia (which has been linked to obesity)
- Clostridiales bacterium DTU089
Several other studies found that folks with low bone density tend to have less diversity in their gut microbes.
Meanwhile certain good bacteria are associated with ENHANCED bone formation, such as Lactobacillus, which reduces bone loss in animal models.
How this all works is anybody’s (educated) guess at this point.
The gut microbes may communicate with bone cells through byproducts like short-chain fatty acids.
But we DO know a healthy and balanced gut microbiome aids in the absorption of key bone-supporting nutrients like calcium, magnesium, and vitamin D.
There’s no reason to wait while researchers work out the precise mechanism for how our gut impacts our bone health.
After all, we already know they’re linked. So, it’s a good idea to start focusing on your gut health NOW for your skeleton’s sake.
Eat more probiotic-rich foods like yogurt, kimchi, and sauerkraut. Load up on prebiotics from onions, garlic, and bananas to feed your beneficial bugs. And supplement if you need to.
Your bone density depends on many factors, some of which are beyond your control. But nurturing your gut microbiome is something you can take control of to help strengthen your bones from within.
A healthy gut could mean strong bones that endure despite the passing years.
P.S. The TRUTH about vitamin D and your bones.
Source:
“A two-cohort study on the association between the gut microbiota and bone density, microarchitecture, and strength,” Front. Endocrinol., 21 September 2023, Sec. Bone Research, Volume 14 – 2023, doi. org /10.3389/fendo.2023.1237727
Written By Dr. Scott Olson, ND
Nearly 25 years ago, failed mainstream medical treatments left Dr. Olson in constant pain – and his health in ruins. And that’s when he did something REVOLUTIONARY. He began his career in medicine – and dedicated his life to uncovering the true, underlying causes of disease.
Through his innovative medical practices in Tennessee and Colorado, Dr. Olson has helped cure countless seniors from across America of arthritis… heart disease… diabetes… and even cancer. All without risky prescription drugs or painful surgeries.
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