Poor Gut – Poor Bones

Yes, disease begins in the gut. Again.  I’m sure you’ve heard of LPS and IL-6. But you might be surprised at their direct impact on systemic diseases outside the gut, including long-term bone health! Check out this clinical tip video for details.

Like the rest of the body, bones go through a life-long cycle of resorption and formation. The body breaks down old bone tissue and builds new. Again and again.  

Inflammatory dynamics beginning in the gut negatively affect bone density via a variety of mechanisms. A major one is via the immune system’s overexposure to Lipopolysaccharides (LPS, breakdown products of gram-negative bacteria) which can activate NF-kB and dramatically increase inflammation.

Too much LPS is already a challenge.  What if there is also Enhanced Intestinal Permeability? Poor bile function (so LPS degradation is impaired)? Inflammation worsens. A surge of specific, inflammatory cytokines (e.g. IL-6) fans the flame of inflammation even further.  Check out this week’s clinical tip video to understand these dynamics better. 

This literature review is filled with studies on the deleterious effects of inflammation on bone density. Both in-vivo and in-vitro studies showing a direct link between increased IL-6 levels and bone loss, osteoporosis risk, and fractures.

This one explores how IL-6 can impair osteogenesis in osteoporotic mice.

As always, the functional medicine lens compels us to remember that everything in the body is interconnected.

Are you thinking about the role of gut dysfunction in your bone health patients? Are you looking at the role of bone health in your gut dysfunction patients?  Are you confident in your ability to explore and explain how poor bone health may be connected to LPS, IL-6, and inflammation?

As an SAFM student, you could learn to capably and confidently work with these clinical dynamics over and over again in your practice.

Watch this short video tip above for key pearls. For more interconnectedness, make sure to check out:

• Stress and Bone Health

Thank you so much for being a part of this movement for health care transformation!

Warmly,

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Ann

Very nice. Thank you

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