Bone Density | A Metabolic Plan

Jun

27

This is the second in a series of posts about what blood tests you need on a yearly basis and what they tell you.

2. Fibrinogen

Fibrinogen levels increase with tissue inflammation. Increased fibrinogen levels can help predict the risk of heart disease and stroke as well as other inflammatory diseases. Obviously with knowledge of increased fibrinogen levels, lifestyle changes become important—such as quitting smoking, losing weight, and becoming more physically active—as well as adding nutritionals such as fish oil, niacin, folic acid and vitamins A and C, which may lower fibrinogen levels.

3. DHEA

DHEA is a hormone produced by the adrenal glands and is a precursor to estrogen and testosterone. In your twenties, levels of DHEA peak and then decline with age, decreasing to 20-30% of peak levels between the ages of 70 and 80. DHEA is frequently referred to as an “anti-aging” hormone. However DHEA is extremely important as we age as healthy levels may support immune function, bone mineral density, mood, libido, reduces abdominal fat, protects the brain following nerve injury, and helps prevent diabetes, cancer, and heart disease. Research also suggests that DHEA may help with depression and clinical trials are evaluating DHEA’s role in memory and Alzheimer’s.

4.Estradiol

In non-pregnant women, estradiol is the most commonly measured type of estrogen. Estradiol levels fluctuate throughout the menstrual cycle and drop after menopause to a consistent but lower level . Women with increased levels of estradiol may be at a higher risk for breast or endometrial cancer. Very low levels may indicate a higher risk for bone fractures. In fact, in men with osteoporosis, research has shown a correlation with a low estradiol levels. Men do produce smaller amounts of estradiol than women but it is not only an indicator of increased incidence of osteoporosis but is tied to pituitary functions. Also men with low estradiol levels and low levels of testosterone may experience low sex drive and difficulty with urination.

Significant positive correlations were found between estradiol levels and levels of total cholesterol.

Supplements such as DHEA, pregnenolone, soy, black cohosh, and pomegranate as well as bioidentical estrogens may be helpful in maintaining healthy estradiol levels.

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May

17

DHEA has been studied for years and as we age our levels decline (in fact our level of DHEA may signify how fast we age).

As teenagers and young adults, our DHEA levels are at their peak until around age 35. Men notice the decline because they aren’t building the muscle they used to. Energy levels decrease. Exactly how many bodily functions DHEA affects isn’t known but there are about 150 that have been documented and some scientists believe it is over 400.

There is a new study out this month in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition which has shown that DHEA supplements along with calcium and Vitamin D improve bone density in older women. Osteoporosis (bone thinning) affects millions of older people, women in particular, as DHEA seems to decline more sharply as they go through menopause. This study shows DHEA stimulates bone formation and aides in calcium absorption when combined with Vitamin D and calcium supplementation.

Not only are DHEA levels important in improving bone density but severely low levels of DHEA are found in women with Lupus – again Lupus is common in women who have gone through menopause.
While many of the symptoms of menopause are caused by the loss of estrogen, there are also side effects associated with the drop in DHEA and testosterone in addition to bone density, including:

Decreased libido
Decreased strength
Decreased muscle mass
Decreased energy

Men also experience some of these symptoms of lower DHEA.

Increasing DHEA levels causes improvements in the whole endocrine system, lowers the risk for atherosclerosis, improves memory and learning ability. DHEA replacement may have other benefits including improvements in risk factors for diabetes and heart disease, improvements in immune function, and improvements in psychological health. The list goes on and on.

DHEA replacement can be an important part of your supplemental regime. Begin by getting a DHEA sulfate blood test – that’s the most accurate. If you’re over 30 and have low DHEA, you may want to consider supplementing with a small dose of DHEA/7 Keto DHEA. I recommend Univera’s Prime. Remember start slow and retest your levels in 60-90 days. You’re not going to notice a change overnight. And as always, check with your doctor.

Confused About What Your Blood Chemistry is Telling You? part 2

4.Estradiol

Do You Know Your DHEA Level?

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