Osteoporosis is a bone disease that weakens bones, making them more prone to fractures and injuries. Although multiple factors can influence the development of this condition, hormones play a fundamental role in bone health. In particular, the decrease in certain hormones, especially estrogen and testosterone, is closely related to bone loss and the development of osteoporosis.
What is the relationship between hormones and osteoporosis?
1. Estrogen and Osteoporosis in Women:
Estrogens are female sex hormones that play a crucial role in maintaining bone density. These hormones help regulate the process of bone loss, inhibiting the action of osteoclasts, which are the cells responsible for breaking down bone tissue. 1
When estrogen levels decrease, especially during menopause, the balance between bone formation and breakdown is altered, leading to bone mass loss and an increased risk of fractures. Decreased estrogen is one of the main causes of osteoporosis in postmenopausal women. Postmenopausal women can lose up to 20% of their bone mass during the first 5-7 years after menopause.3
2. Testosterone and Osteoporosis in Men:
Although osteoporosis is more common in women, men can also develop this disease, especially when their testosterone levels decrease with age.
Testosterone, like estrogen, plays an important role in bone formation, so a decrease in this hormone can contribute to bone loss.2 Studies show that 30% of men with hypogonadism (low testosterone levels) develop osteoporosis and that the most affected areas are the hip and spine.4
How can we prevent osteoporosis?
In addition to medical attention and appropriate treatment, there are several ways to prevent osteoporosis or control its progression. Calcium, vitamin D, and phytate are key components to keeping our bones strong and healthy.
Savebone® is a supplement with a triple mechanism of action that combines calcium, vitamin D, and phytate, ingredients that help maintain bone health. Calcium is essential for the formation of strong bones, while vitamin D facilitates calcium absorption. Phytate, a natural compound found in foods such as grains, legumes, and seeds, acts as a natural bisphosphonate, inhibiting bone destruction.
In conclusion, osteoporosis is a complex disease influenced by various factors, but hormones play a key role in its development, especially estrogen in women and testosterone in men. The decrease in these hormones, whether due to menopause in women or advanced age in men, contributes significantly to bone loss and an increased risk of fractures. Therefore, it is essential to address bone health preventively with the use of supplements such as Savebone®.
References:
*1 https://www.fda.gov/consumers/free-publications-women/osteoporosis-en-espanol-0?utm_source=chatgpt.com
*2 https://scielo.isciii.es/scielo.php?pid=S1889-836X2023000400003&script=sci_arttext&utm_source=chatgpt.com
*3 National Osteoporosis Foundation. (2020). What is osteoporosis? National Osteoporosis Foundation. https://www.nof.org/patients/what-is-osteoporosis/
*4 Aguirre-Rivero, A. (2020). Osteoporosis en hombres: Consulta en endocrinología, Ciudad de México. Revista Colombiana de Reumatología, 27(3), 163-169. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rcreu.2019.08.006