Bone health

Bone health risk factors — diseases, By Dr. Susan E. Brown, PhD In conventional Western medicine, there is a technical distinction between “primary” and “secondary” osteoporosis. Primary osteoporosis is what most of us think of when we talk about bone health — its causes are complex and it occurs as a discrete diagnosis. Secondary osteoporosis is caused directly by another disease […]

Bone health risk factors, By Dr. Susan E. Brown, PhD A variety of medications directly cause excessive bone loss. These include: corticosteroids, synthetic thyroid hormones, aluminum-containing antacids, some diuretics, anticonvulsants, and antibiotics. Other medications, like tranquilizers, sedatives, and antidepressants, increase your risk of fracture by increasing the chance of falling. Different drugs affect bone health in different ways. Some […]

Bone health risk factors — inflammation, By Dr. Susan E. Brown, PhD Many women suffer unknowingly from chronic inflammation. Inflammation accelerates bone breakdown by triggering activity in the cells that demineralize bone, called osteoclasts. We’re not talking here about acute inflammation, which is the response to an injury or infection and is a lifesaving process. Although acute inflammation also triggers bone […]

Bone health risk factors — smoking, By Dr. Susan E. Brown, PhD If you smoke, you probably already know you should quit to reduce your risk of cancer and heart disease. But you may not be aware of the effects smoking has on your bones. Smoking significantly increases the chance that you will experience an osteoporotic fracture. Smoking leads to poor […]

Bone health risk factors — toxins, By Dr. Susan E. Brown, PhD Exposure to certain toxins can damage your bone health. Our modern environment exposes us to a range of pollutants, chemicals, and heavy metals every day. Although your body is equipped with mechanisms for removing toxins, the unprecedented number of substances in our environment can be overwhelming. When it comes […]

Bone health risk factors — emotions & stress, By Dr. Susan E. Brown, PhD Stress and emotions have a powerful impact on bone health. Your body responds to stress by producing a hormone called cortisol. Cortisol has many effects on the body, one of which is mobilizing calcium from bone and increasing its secretion through the urine. In other words, when you’re stressed, […]

Bone health risk factors — low body weight, By Dr. Susan E. Brown, PhD We hear a lot in the media about the health risks of being overweight. But being underweight comes with its own set of risks — one of which is an increased risk of osteoporosis and fracture. In fact, weighing less than 120 pounds is one of the strongest risk […]

Bone health risk factors — previous fracture, By Dr. Susan E. Brown, PhD If you’ve fractured a bone as an adult you know what a threat fractures can be to your health and quality of life. But we want to assure you that it’s not too late to strengthen your bones and prevent future fractures. Oftentimes women who have had a fracture […]

Bone health risk factors — family history of fracture, By Dr. Susan E. Brown, PhD If your biological mother or father has fractured a hip, you have a statistically higher risk of experiencing a fracture yourself. Obviously there’s nothing you can do about your family history of fracture. But consider it encouragement to prioritize your bone health, and learn from your family member’s experience. […]

Bone health risk factors — digestive issues, By Dr. Susan E. Brown, PhD You may eat a healthy diet. You may take all the right nutritional supplements. But if you can’t digest all those nutrients and transport them to your cells, they’re not doing you much good. Robust digestion is crucial to bone health. We tend to think that unless we have […]

Bone health risk factors — indoor lifestyle, By Dr. Susan E. Brown, PhD Most of us live, work and play indoors. Why does this matter for our bone health? When your skin is exposed to the ultraviolet B rays in sunlight, it produces vitamin D, one of the most vital nutrients for bone health. Vitamin D is crucial for calcium absorption, among […]

Bone health risk factors — dietary excesses, By Dr. Susan E. Brown, PhD Certain substances directly interfere with bone building or otherwise damage bone health. Reducing or eliminating those substances from your diet can go a long way in protecting your bone health. Sugar increases the excretion of valuable nutrients, including calcium, magnesium, chromium, copper, zinc and sodium. It also limits calcium […]

Bone health risk factors — insufficient nutrition, By Dr. Susan E. Brown, PhD Nutrition provides the building blocks of all the cells in our body. Our health, on every level, depends upon vitamins and minerals to function — and to function well. When it comes to bone health, your diet is one of the simplest, most powerful tools you have for protecting […]

Bone health risk factors — inactivity, By Dr. Susan E. Brown, PhD Physical activity is the foremost stimulator of bone. When you exercise, your muscles place tension on your bones, which respond by stimulating bone formation. If you’re looking for a simple way to reduce your risk of fracture dramatically, start an exercise program. Research shows that women who engage in […]

Bone health risk factors — pH imbalance, By Dr. Susan E. Brown, PhD Most new patients who come to our healthcare clinic aren’t familiar with pH balance. And yet restoring an alkaline pH level is one of the most powerful things you can do for your bone health. pH refers to a measurement of the acidity or alkalinity of a substance. Low […]

Bone health risk factors — low bone density, By Dr. Susan E. Brown, PhD Nearly every woman who we talk to thinks that low bone density is the greatest threat to her bone health. She thinks that porous bones are prone to fracture, and that dense bones are strong enough not to break. The truth is, low bone density alone does not cause […]

Bone health risk factors — hormonal imbalance, By Dr. Susan E. Brown, PhD You may have heard that women can lose as much as 20% of their bone mass as they transition through menopause. Why is this so? Prior to menopause, ovulation is orchestrated by the production of estrogen and progesterone, among other hormones. Estrogen and progesterone have positive effects on bone […]

Bone health risk factors — demographics, By Dr. Susan E. Brown, PhD Statistically speaking, you are more likely to have low bone density if you are a woman and if you are Caucasian. Your risk of low bone density and your fracture risk also increase as you age. Unfortunately these facts have lead to a few common myths about osteoporosis. First, […]

Bone health risk factors, By Dr. Susan E. Brown, PhD How many risk factors are affecting your bone health right now? Demographics Hormonal imbalance Low bone density pH imbalance Inactivity Insufficient nutrition Dietary excesses Indoor lifestyle Digestive issues Family history Previous fracture Low body weight Emotions and stress Toxins Smoking Inflammation Medications Diseases If you’re like most women, you […]

A new look at the bone drug raloxifene (Evista™), I recently sat down to take a fresh look at the first and largest controlled study on the bone drug raloxifene (Evista). I think you will be interested in what I discovered.

10 Ayurvedic self care tips for winter, Ayurveda suggests we modify our diet and lifestyle according to the season. Learn 10 easy Ayurvedic self-care tips for winter and keep your health glowing.

Exercises to increase bone density, Exercise is one of the best ways to maintain and increase bone density and strength. Here are three of my favorite exercises for you to consider.

The first thing I tell women diagnosed with osteoporosis, When you have undiagnosed osteoporosis, you lack a key piece of information that you need to take action – you can’t solve a problem you don’t know exists.

Health benefits of black pepper, Sprinkling a little pepper on your foods offers surprising nutritional health benefits, including improved nutrient absorption.

Bone density on the decline in the United States, Recent findings from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) revealed a generalized decline in bone density in the United States. What’s the reason for this?

The wonders of you, As we make goals for how we may want to improve our bodies and health in 2019, let’s first reflect upon and feel gratitude for the miracle we already are.

Mediterranean diet a special help for those with osteoporosis, According to a new study, following a Mediterranean diet for osteoporosis slows bone density loss, offering special help for reducing hip fracture risk.

Muscle loss with aging — are you at risk for sarcopenia?, Sarcopenia refers to excessive loss of muscle mass and strength. Are you at risk?

Don’t be fooled: Vitamin D does prevent fracture, What separates a good vitamin D study from one that’s flawed? Dr. Brown takes a look — and sets the record straight on vitamin D and fracture risk.

When is osteopenia something to worry about?, Confused about your “diagnosis” of osteopenia? Learn the 4 questions that can help you uncover what osteopenia really means for your bone health.

Are we setting kids up for osteoporosis?, Today’s generation of children and teens, especially girls, are more sedentary than ever. What will this mean for their bone health and risk for osteoporosis as they age?

High intensity resistance training for bone offers amazing results, One thing we know about bone is that it responds to increased weight load by getting stronger. So the recent findings of an Australian bone clinic that studied women doing high-intensity weight lifting really shouldn’t surprise us. But just look at these results!

Favorite summer superfoods for osteoporosis, As we enter summer, I want to share with you some of my favorite seasonal foods that fit the criteria of ‘superfoods’ for bone health – and I also want to share exactly what these criteria are to help you in identifying beneficial foods on your own.

Bisphosphonates make bones weaker, not stronger, According to a recent study, people treated with bisphosphonates have much weaker bones than even people at high risk of fracture due to high bone turnover!

Answers to your top 5 questions about calcium supplements, Calcium is a key nutrient when it comes to bone strength. Every day I’m asked, How much calcium should I take, and when? What’s the best form? Can I take too much?

How to reduce the risks of too much sitting, If you’re looking for extra motivation to get up and get moving, there’s a powerful new study documenting how sitting for 8 hours a day can take years off your life.

Menopause and sleep disturbances impact biological aging, A new study shows that post-menopausal women with 5 insomnia symptoms were nearly 2 years older biologically than similar women with no insomnia symptoms.

3 trace minerals for bone health, Manganese, copper and boron are only needed in small amounts, but provide big benefits for bone health.

How much vitamin D should you take? That depends on you, Even people who get adequate sunlight may become vitamin D deficient, so it’s important to be aware of how much quality vitamin D you should be taking year round.

Why probiotics are good for bone health, If you want healthy skin, muscles and bone, your best bet is to work on the health of your whole body and not just one part of it.

Is vitamin K2 your body’s best buddy?, There’s been an explosion of research on vitamin K2 showing how much if affects overall health. Here are just 3 reasons vitamin K2 may be one of your body’s best friends.

7 top nutrients for bone health, You should aim to get these 7 key nutrients every day to build bone strength, reduce bone loss and help keep you from fracturing.

Vitamin D — the new giant for bone health and overall disease prevention, New research is revealing connections between vitamin D deficiency and a myriad of health concerns, including cancer, depression, osteoporosis, immune dysfunction, diabetes, heart disease, and more. In fact, mounting research documents the impressive degree of disease prevention that can be obtained from higher vitamin D blood levels. Thankfully, more and more conventional practitioners are testing […]

Top 5 myths about bone health, By Dr. Susan E. Brown, PhD We’ve heard a lot from the media lately about the rise in osteoporosis. There are ads on TV and in magazines, warning us that we might be losing bone and recommending that we ask our doctors about bone drugs to stop the process. If you’re like many of the […]

10 ways to alkalize your body, By Dr. Susan E. Brown, PhD What do limes, kale, and sweet potatoes have in common? They’re all fantastic choices for alkalizing your body and strengthening your bones. But unfortunately, the diet that most people in the US eat (heavy in animal products, grains, refined foods, and sugars) produces as much as 100 mEq of […]

Learn how to speed the bone fracture healing time — simply and naturally, By Dr. Susan E. Brown, PhD A bone fracture can be a defining moment in a woman’s life — the break itself is an isolated incident, while the healing process can take weeks, months, or even years depending on the injury. After you’ve fractured a bone, all your systems are called upon to repair the […]

Nature’s tips on bone health — 6 signs and symptoms of bone loss, By Dr. Susan E. Brown, PhD How do we know whether our bones are healthy or not? We can’t see them like we can our skin, or listen to them like the heart or lungs. Bone density scans are one way to look inside bone, but we rarely get a bone density test until after […]

Those scary statistics — banishing fear of fracture with a dose of common sense, By Dr. Susan E. Brown, PhD In this article Will half of all women over 50 really fracture? Do more than half of all women over 50 have low bone mass? Does osteoporosis cause 1.5 million fractures every year? What the statistics really mean Many of the women we see at the Center for Better […]

Do you really need a drug for your bones?, By Dr. Susan E. Brown, PhD There are several categories of drugs being prescribed in the name of bone protection. In this article we discuss findings on the group known as bisphosphonates. You’ve probably seen advertisements everywhere featuring a popular celebrity who warns you about bone loss right before endorsing a certain prescription drug. While […]

N-telopeptide (NTx) — a valuable marker of bone breakdown, Tips for NTx testing At the Center for Better Bones, Dr. Susan Brown uses the Osteomark NTx urine test to determine if her patients are undergoing excessive bone loss. Here are some of her tips: Strive for the average premenopausal value: 36 bone collagen equivalent units/mmol creatinine. (The range is 5–65.) To check your progress, […]

The nature of osteoporosis and osteopenia: you take control, By Dr. Susan E. Brown, PhD My interest in bone health was ignited by two life-changing personal experiences. The first was my grandmother’s death after a hip fracture at the age of 102. The second was learning at the age of 36 that I had receding gums — an early sign of osteoporosis. As a […]

Good health rests on your bones, By Dr. Susan E. Brown, PhD These days we have so many health concerns to think about that many women who haven’t suffered from a bone fracture or been diagnosed with osteoporosis or osteopenia are of the mind that, if it isn’t broken, why fix it? Well, one good reason to stay on top of […]

Concerned with Bone Health?, By Dr. Susan E. Brown, PhD Get Free Download Isn’t it ironic…fear damages bone, yet the standard medical approach to bone health instills fear in many women. Over the decades I have seen thousands of women scared because of their bone density test results. “You have the bones of an 80 year old” must be […]

Prevent bone fractures by preventing falls, By Dr. Susan E. Brown, PhD Most of us have known people who’ve broken a bone after what seems like a minor accident — an elderly aunt who tripped on a carpet and fell, breaking her hip, or a middle-aged friend who stubbed her toe on a curb while walking her dog and found herself […]

Exercise: one powerful way to stem menopausal bone loss, By Dr. Susan E. Brown, PhD A recent study out of UCLA reveals that most of the bone loss that occurs with menopause happens in a contained time period starting the year before menopause and including the two years following menopause. It’s scary to think that a natural life transition can leave us with weaker […]

Dual energy x-ray absorptiometry (DEXA), The National Osteoporosis Foundation recommends that all women over 65 years old, as well as all postmenopausal women with at least one risk factor for osteoporosis have their bone mineral density (BMD) tested. Why are we waiting this long? In our opinion, all women should be carefully screened for risk of fracture at a much […]

The calcium myth, By Dr. Susan E. Brown, PhD In this article Calcium and vitamins D and K and magnesium It matters what kind of calcium you get Good dairy-free sources of dietary calcium A balanced approach — how to make calcium work for your bones and your body For many years, a popular “chorus of wisdom” about […]

Six ways to stop bone loss during the menopause transition, By Dr. Susan E. Brown, PhD In this article Make nutrition your first priority Preserve and build muscle mass Balance your hormones Take care with weight loss Decrease inflammation and improve digestion Reduce physical and emotional stress You’ve probably heard that women are prone to losing bone during menopause. For the most part, nature has […]

Achieve optimum bone health naturally, By Dr. Susan E. Brown, PhD 7 important things you will learn from a consultation with Dr. Brown Understanding what your diagnosis really means Learning if your bone loss is normal or excessive. If your bone loss is excessive, what is the reason? Analysis of your diet, and development of an individualized alkaline diet Development […]

20 key nutrients for bone health, By Dr. Susan E. Brown, PhD Depending on how we count them, there are at least 20 bone-building nutrients essential for optimal bone health — “essential” in that our bodies cannot manufacture them, so we must get them from our food and drink. Let’s take a quick look at them, one by one, so you […]

Already taking bone-building drugs? Benefits of adding a natural approach, By Dr. Susan E. Brown, PhD More and more women are realizing that — no matter what they’ve been told by their doctors — there’s no magic pill for preventing bone loss and osteoporosis. My patients who are currently taking prescription bone-building drugs are beginning to understand the critical importance of doing more to build […]