Ok. We’ve got a big obesity problem in the US. And while there are any number of diet plans to try to lose weight, none I’ve come across address this organ system.
The human body does not function in systems. It’s not like your cardiology system completely ignores your dermatological system, or your neurological system does not ignore the gastrointestinal system. You get the idea.
So how did medicine ever decide that this was a good idea? To blissfully think that your heart condition has no effect on your GI tract is dangerous and misguided. Pretty much every chronic disease has multiple other chronic diseases associated with it.
So how does this relate to this particular article? Bone produces a hormone called osteocalcin. Osteocalcin is produced specifically by cells called osteoblasts. Osteoblasts build bone. This means that when bone is healthy it will secrete osteocalcin. Osteocalcin than acts on the beta cells of the pancreas to release more insulin as well as act on fat cells to release an anti-diabetic hormone called adiponectin. Some research even suggests that osteocalcin has the ability to increase the release of testosterone.
Pretty connected, huh?
But what happens when bone health is poor and osteocalcin levels go down? Following these connections, poor bone health will lead to abdominal fat, weight gain and diabetes.
Wait…Poor bone health leads to diabetes??
With this as background, let’s go back to this particular study. Researchers looked at the relationship between osteocalcin levels on fat free body mass and found a clear association. The higher the osteocalcin levels, the lower the body fat.
Good bone health = lower body fat.
Do you toss the Atkin’s diet book and buy a book on improving bone health (preferably mine, which can be found by clicking here)?
The reality is that improving your overall health will, automatically, improve bone health. Pretty cool. But, before you think it’s that easy, you need to know that the presence of inflammation and stress in your gut will result in the release of more serotonin which will slow osteoblast activity.
Pretty connected, huh?