Oxford Osteoporosis and the Gut-Bone Axis
The gut-BONE connection? Yes! The gut is connected to a wide variety of body functions with the expression “gut-brain” connection likely being more recognizable. The gut-bone connection – “gut-bone axis” as one article names it - is garnering attention. Satterwhite Chiropractic sees Oxford chiropractic patients with bone conditions like osteoporosis, so this topic is quite important.
HOW ARE THE BONE AND GUT CONNECTED?
This issue of gut-bone connection has spread such that Osteoporosis and Bone Research Academy of the Royal Osteoporosis Society met in October 2020. This assembly discussed past, present, and future studies regarding the interaction of diet, medication-use, immune development, health and lifestyle and the function of the human gut microbiota as they affect bone development in youth and bone maintenance and decline in older age. The beneficial use of oral probiotics to potentially reduce bone turnover and avert bone loss was pointed out, also. (1)
HOW IS THE GUT-BONE CONNECTION RELATED TO OSTEOPOROSIS?
As the most frequent metabolic skeletal disease, osteoporosis affects many people, men and women, because of its weakening of the skeletal structure giving rise to bone loss. Any distress of the gut microbiota can disturb the bone remodeling balance and influence bone metabolism. (2) Satterwhite Chiropractic aims to help our Oxford chiropractic patients avoid and/or treat osteoporosis.
TREATING OSTEOPOROSIS
The rate of postmenopausal osteoporosis has increased recently along with the rapidly aging worldwide population. Treating the “gut-bone axis” was described as a balance of hormones, immunity, nutrient metabolism, gut microbiota metabolites, and intestinal permeability. (3) The use of traditional Chinese medicine’s Qing’e Pills was shown to regulate intestinal flora to improve postmenopausal osteoporosis by increasing bone mineral density, changing gut microbiota, and positively affecting inflammatory factors. (4) A polyphenols-rich vinegar extract was found beneficial in controlling blood glucose and lipidemia in diabetic rats as well as reducing inflammation, increasing short chain fatty acid content, and restoring gut microbiota. (5) Ask Satterwhite Chiropractic about the positive impact of treating the vagal nerve origin in the gut to influence the gut. A big topic for another post, the vagus nerve - being the longest cranial nerve in the body that regulates gut function as well as assists in the control of cardiovascular, respiratory, endocrine, and immune systems – responds to treatment. (6) Fascinating and effective! The choices for dealing with the “gut-bone axis” and potentially preventing osteoporosis expand! Bone nutrition is important.
CONTACT Satterwhite Chiropractic
Listen to this PODCAST with Dr. James Cox on The Back Doctors Podcast with Dr. Michael Johnson as he describes the relationship of nutrition and chiropractic treatment within The Cox® Technic System of Spinal Pain Management for spine related issues.
Schedule your Oxford chiropractic appointment soon. Are they connected? They sure are! The more researchers look into it, the more real the “gut-bone axis” becomes and the more ways to address its influence grow. Gut problems? Osteoporosis? Back pain? All are welcome at Satterwhite Chiropractic!
