The Role of Hormones in Bone Health: What Women and Men Should Be Aware Of
Often overshadowed by genetics and lifestyle factors when discussing bone health, our hormones are important too! Surprisingly, hormones such as testosterone, estrogen, and calcitonin play a crucial role in determining how our body forms and resorbs bone tissue, also known as bone metabolism.
When the important hormones circulating in our body are properly regulated, bone strength and density are promoted with a balanced cycle of bone regeneration and resorption. Unfortunately, since disorders, diseases, and age-related changes can throw this delicate hormonal balance off, our bone health can suffer as a result.
Despite the potential for disharmony with age and disease-related changes, hormonal balance is only one part of the overall bone health equation. Since hormonal changes such as decreasing testosterone and estrogen levels are an inevitable part of aging, implementing proactive diet and osteoporosis prevention strategies in Delaware County, PA can counteract musculoskeletal imbalances caused by hormonal changes.
With bone health optimism in mind, here’s a helpful overview of various hormonal changes to consider and what men and women should keep in mind as these inevitable changes occur with time.
Hormones & Bone Changes
The main hormones that influence bone health include estrogen, testosterone, parathyroid hormone, calcitonin, and vitamin D (yes, vitamin D is also considered a hormone!). Interestingly, both men and women produce all of these hormones. As these hormones relate to bone health, women’s bone health is primarily linked to declining estrogen levels following menopause, while men’s bone health is primarily linked to declining testosterone levels with age.
Here’s a helpful overview of each of these hormones and how they contribute to the big-picture bone health equation.
Estrogen
Normal estrogen levels reduce bone breakdown, improve calcium absorption, and stimulate osteoblasts which are the cells responsible for building new bones. Since adequate estrogen levels promote bone strength and prevent breakdown on all fronts, it’s easy to see why a decline in estrogen can lead to a decline in bone strength and structural stability.
Testosterone
Similar to the multiple benefits that estrogen provides for bone health, sufficient levels of testosterone provide numerous bone benefits. Testosterone stimulates osteoblast activity (bone-building activity), helps the bones store calcium, and supports the balancing cycle of bone breakdown versus bone rebuilding.
In addition to these direct benefits associated with bone formation and structural integrity, testosterone is a key hormone in musculoskeletal tissue health. Since the strength of muscle and other connective tissue cells play a role in stimulating bone growth and density, testosterone is an essential ingredient in long-term bone strength and health.
Parathyroid Hormone
Parathyroid hormone stimulates bone resorption and increases calcium absorption in the kidneys/intestines. Since our bodies release excess parathyroid hormone in response to low calcium levels, which causes our bones to break down, it’s important that we consume a healthy amount of calcium each day.
Calcitonin
Calcitonin, a hormone produced by the thyroid gland, helps to maintain bone density. By regulating calcium levels in the blood, bone resorption is inhibited. In other words, this hormone ensures that calcium is kept in the bones rather than being released into the bloodstream.
Vitamin D
Produced by skin cells when exposed to sunlight, or acquired through nutrition, the vital vitamin D hormone plays an important role in calcium management and bone mineralization processes. Much like calcitonin helps to regulate the level of calcium in the bloodstream, vitamin D helps the body to maintain balanced levels within the bones. The primary reason to get plenty of sunshine or consume enough Vitamin D? When we have enough Vitamin D, the calcium we consume is stored and utilized more effectively.
Take Action to Prevent Hormone-Related Problems
Our proven osteopenia treatment in Princeton, NJ, healthy diet changes, and the right lifestyle adjustments can fortify your bones for life. Get in touch with our bone health experts at OsteoStrong and learn how we can help!
