Women are More Likely to Develop Osteoporosis Than Men?

Many women are concerned about their bone health. Bone density loss (osteoporosis) is a serious health concern for women. It happens when the metabolic process of building bone is interrupted. Hormone imbalance can be a culprit.

Like all cells in our bodies, bone tissue breaks down and rebuilds continuously. The process works through the agency of bone-dissolvers called osteoclast cells that dissolve old bone tissue and bone-builders called osteoblast cells that stimulate new bone growth.

Yes, women are more likely to develop osteoporosis than men. This is due to several factors.



Women have less bone mass than men, tend to live longer and take in less calcium. In women, the rate of bone loss speeds up after menopause, when estrogen levels fall. Since the ovaries make estrogen, faster bone loss may also occur if both ovaries are removed by surgery.

Studies suggest that this is why estrogen dominance – a higher ratio of estrogen to progesterone than is healthy – is linked to osteoporosis. Adding bioidentical progesterone to mitigate estrogen dominance helps jump start the bone regeneration process, stimulating osteoblast cells to grow new bone tissue and increase bone density. According to Morris Noteloviz, M.D., Ph.D., author of Stand Tall: Every Woman’s Guide to Preventing and Treating Osteoporosis, no other form of HRT or dietary supplementation has had as high a level of positive response as bioidentical progesterone.

But MEN do develop osteoporosis too!

Declining progesterone and testosterone can set up an imbalance known as estrogen dominance in men. In the male body, progesterone and testosterone help rein in the negative effects of estrogen, a hormone that triggers cell growth. When their levels become too low to balance circulating estrogen, health risks rise. One of these risks is osteoporosis, loss of bone density that can lead to stooping and brittle bones.

It is important for men to be aware that they, like women, could be at risk for this disease. In fact, recent research indicates that roughly one-third of all hip fractures occur in men. (Arch Intern Med 2003) By about the age of 55, men face almost the same risk for osteoporosis as women in menopause.

Studies reveal:

* Estrogen Dominance is linked to osteoporosis since estrogen delays the breakdown of bone tissue, slowing the bone regeneration process.
* Bio- Identical Progesterone hormone replacement therapy provides long-term bone mineral density benefits.
* Iodine insufficiency has been shown to be a factor in bone loss.
* Vitamin D3 plays a significant role in maintaining calcium levels in bone.

THE PLACE TO START: EVALUATE!

· Evaluate your estrogen, progesterone and testosterone levels, evaluate your Iodine Levels and your vitamin D3 levels ……. today and every year thereafter. This is the place for all men and women to start if you are concerned about osteoporosis. The tests are now readily available and allow every person to monitor their own health status in these three areas.

· Hormone rebalancing, nutritional support with essential amino acids, vitamins, minerals and herbs; weight bearing exercise and lifestyle improvements, can assist bone regeneration and slow bone loss.

Resources:



The Problem of osteopenia in an iodine-deficit area
Nekrasova MR, Suplotova LA, Davydova LI.Klin Med (Mosk). 2006;84(1):62-5. Russian.
More references available on the Iodine Group website – www.iodine4health.com
Osteoporosis in inflammatory bowel disease.
Ali T, Lam D, Bronze MS, Humphrey MB. American Journal of Medicine 2009 Jul;122(7):599-604.
Osteopenia and vitamin D deficiency in children with sickle cell disease
Chapelon E, Garabedian M, Brousse Vm Scouberbielle JC, Bresson JL, DeMontalembert M:
rch Pediatr. 2009 Jun;16(6):619-21
Inflammatory Bowel Disease 2009 Nov;15(11):1656-62.
Chapelon E, Garabedian M, Brousse Vm Scouberbielle JC, Bresson JL, DeMontalembert M:
rch Pediatr. 2009 Jun;16(6):619-21
Comparison of the effects of 1,25 hydroxyvitamin D and 25 hydroxyvitamin D on bone pathology and disease activity in Crohn’s disease patients.
Miheller P, Muzes G, Hritz I, Lakatos G, Pregun I, Lakatos PL, Herszényi L, Tulassay Z.
J Ren Care. 2009 Mar;35 Suppl 1:39-44.
Vitamin D metabolism and vitamin D traditional and nontraditional, target organs: implications for kidney patients.
Dusilová-Sulková S.