Recent Study: A Beer Belly is Bad for Your Bones

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1 Bones

2 Recent Study: A Beer Belly is Bad for Your Bones Researchers have found that men with extra fat around their middle (a beer belly) are at increased risk of osteoporosis (as well as diabetes, heart disease and high blood pressure) The study found that men with high levels of visceral fat in the abdomen had weaker bones. Researchers believe that one explanation is that high levels of fat = low levels of growth hormone, which is needed for bone development

3 What is bone, anyway? Bone is a soft collagen framework, with minerals especially calcium deposited on it to give it strength and hardness Bone is alive Bone is constantly renewing itself Old bone tissue breaks down and is resorbed, and new healthy bone tissue is put in its place Ideally this process is in perfect balance old bone goes away, new bone is ready to take its place

4 Do Bisphosphanates Keep Bones Strong? Bisphosphonates are drugs prescribed to treat osteoporosis (Boniva, Actonel, Fosamax, Reclast, etc.) How they work: slow or stop the process of resorption, or bone loss Seems like a good thing, right? Not so fast!

5 Bisphosphonates = Broken Bones Long-term use of bisphosphonates can cause Broken femurs (the thigh bone) Destruction of the jaw bone Double the risk of esophageal cancer These drugs slow or stop bone breakdown, but they don t do anything for bone rebuilding In other words, they keep the old bone in place and don t do anything to get new bone tissue to replace it Eventually this can cause brittle bones that break easily exactly what these drugs are supposed to prevent!

6 Silica for Healthy Bones Silica is a mineral It can be found in some foods (bananas and beer) or plants (bamboo and horsetail) While we usually think of calcium as the answer to building bones, silica is equally, or maybe more, important! Why? It is needed for both the collagen framework of bone and to increase the mineralization of bone

7 Silica Benefits Increases calcium absorption and retention in bones by over 50% Stronger bones less risk of fractures, faster recovery after a fracture Increases collagen formation by over 50% Builds the framework for strong bones Collagen is also used to form hair, skin and fingernails Additionally: Strengthens dental implants and reduces implant failures Reduces pain associated with arthritis and joint diseases If you have experienced a bone fracture, have osteoporosis, have had dental implants, or have any other bone concerns: take 40 to 80 mg daily for 4 to 8 weeks Otherwise, 20 mg daily for basic support

8 Nanotechnology

9 What Are Nanoparticles? Substances broken down by technology into molecule-sized particles Smaller size of these substances than have ever existed before! Nanoparticles are so small they can slip into the body (through skin, nasal passages, intestinal wall) though barriers that would keep out larger substances Nanoparticles can easily penetrate organs and cells like our brains

10 Where are nanoparticles found? Sunscreen, acne lotions, cosmetics and cleansers Cooking and cleaning items Food packaging (beer bottles, etc) Food products chewing gums coffee creamers baked goods Dietary supplements

11 Are They Harmful? Potential health and environmental effects are not yet fully understood What we do know is that turning something into a nanoparticle can change the way it behaves in the body What is perfectly safe in a normal size may NOT be safe as a nanoparticle Some of the concerns: Causes inflammation & cell damage Shown to damages DNA in some animals Stunts plant growth

12 Are they regulated in the United States? No regulations limit the use of nanoparticles No regulations require products to label the inclusion of nanoparticles No regulations require safety testing of nanoparticles before they are used in foods or any other product Note: Europe does have laws requiring the labeling of nanoparticles NANOPARTICLES will be an issue to watch over the next few years