Osteoporosis: Calcium Deficiency or Excess?

Osteoporosis is the most widely recognized disease connected with calcium and affects over 15 million people in the USA alone. But did you know that both too little and too much calcium can make your bones fragile? A recent study by the Mayo clinic showed that extra calcium supplementation tripled the risk of non-spinal fractures in women already suffering from osteoporosis.¹ This confirms findings of previous studies that calcium supplementation can increase the risk of hip fractures.⁸ How can this be?

Osteoporosis can be classified into two categories: type I and type II.

Type I Osteoporosis

Type I osteoporosis is the classical type associated with calcium deficiency. It occurs in people with a fast metabolism. An overactive thyroid gland causes the body to partially lose its ability to retain calcium and magnesium. At the same time, activity of the parathyroid gland slows down because thyroid and parathyroid glands are each other’s antagonists². With decreased parathyroid function, cells that normally produce hard bone (osteoblasts) become inactive. Less calcium and magnesium are absorbed into the bone while more is excreted through the kidneys. As a result, bones become deficient in calcium and magnesium, grow brittle and easily break.^1,2 People who suffer from this type of osteoporosis benefit from extra calcium supplementation.

Type II Osteoporosis

People with a slow metabolism, on the other hand, do not benefit from calcium supplementation at all. In fact, the opposite: it makes the problem worse. In their case, a sluggish thyroid triggers increases activity of the parathyroid gland^2,3. This leads to more absorption and retention of calcium, while at the same time increasing the number of cells that break down bones (osteoblasts).^5,6 This allows calcium to be drawn from the bone, weakening the bones. Since the calcium can’t be reabsorbed into the bone due to increased osteoblast activity, the body deposits it in soft tissue. This can result in gall stones, kidney stones, stiffness in joints due to calcium deposits, increased arterial plaque formation^1,8 and dry skin. In those cases calcium supplementation will not solve the problem. In fact, it will make it worse.^1,2,8

Osteoporosis due to insulin resistance

Calcium bone loss can also be the result of an underlying metabolic problem. For instance, people with adult onset diabetes or insulin resistance have an increased insulin production. The pancreas can only release insulin when there is enough calcium available.^4,7 To make sure enough calcium is available, the body starts to retain calcium by reabsorbing it in the kidneys, while at the same time the parathyroid also steps up its activity to withdraw calcium stored in the bones. In summary, calcium is stopped from being excreted through the kidneys, and is withdrawn from its storage in bones, to meet the increased demand by the pancreas to produce insulin. Any calcium that is not used for insulin production will not be reabsorbed into the bones due to osteoblast acivity but stored elsewhere, once again not only leading to gall stones, kidney stones etc but also to osteoporosis.¹

How to test?

So how do you know if you should or shouldn’t be taking extra calcium to prevent osteoporosis? A blood test is not useful, because the body will do its utmost to keep levels in the blood the same – either by storing excessive levels in the tissue if levels in blood become too high or withdrawing it from the bones if levels in the blood become too low (homeostasis). It is only when stores in bones are depleted or when the body runs out of tissue to deposit it, that blood levels will start to fluctuate, but by then it is far too late.

Hair Mineral Analysis is more effective way to asses storage levels of calcium. Hair is the second most metabolically active tissue and it provides a reliable record of metabolic activity during its period of growth. The first 4 cm closest to the scalp can provide a good indication of nutrient exposure over the previous 8 – 16 weeks. Mineral deficiencies or excesses can indicate a possible deficiency, excess or bio-unavailability of one or more minerals within the body.

If you are interested in getting a hair mineral analysis done, please contact our clinic on 1300 133 536 or visit our website at:

https://www.massattack.com.au/contactUs.html

References:

1.     Dr D.L Watts, “Trace elements and other essential nutrients” – 6^th Writer’s B-L-O-C-K, USA 2010, p 52-58

2.     Tortora & Grabrowski, “Principles of anatomy and physiology” 9^th edition, p 581-587 – Biological Sciences Text Books, 2000

3.     Tarrage Lopez PJ et all, “Osteoporosis in patients with subclinical hypothyroidism” – Clin Cases Mineral Bone Metabolism, 2011 Sep;8(3):44-8

4.     Curry DL, Bennett LL, Grodsky GM: Requirement for calcium ion in insulin secretion by the perfused rat pancreas. Am J Physiol214 :174–178,1968

5.     Nagata Mutsuko et all, “Subclinical hypothyroidism is related to lower heel QUS in postmenopausal women” – Endocrine Journal, 2007, vol. 54, n^o4, pp. 625-630

6.     Bertoli A, Fusco A, Andreoli A, Magnani A, Tulli A, Lauro D, de Lorenzo A, “Effect of Subclinical Hypothyroidism and Obesity on Whole-Body and Regional Bone Mineral Content” - Horm Res 2002;57:79–84

7.     L. Bent-Hansen, K. Capito, C.J. Hedeskov, “The effect of calcium on somatostatin inhibition of insulin release and cyclic AMP production in mouse pancreatic islets” - Biochimica et Biophysica Acta (BBA) - General Subjects Volume 585, Issue 2, 12 June 1979, Pages 240–249

8.     Reid IR, Bolland MJ, Grey A, “Effect of calcium supplementation on hip fractures” – Osteoporosis Int (2008) 19:1119-1123          

How to lose Menopause Belly Fat

For some women menopause may be easy, while others struggle with unpleasant symptoms such as belly fat, hot flushes, insomnia and mood changes. The biggest problem for most women during menopause is the bulging belly that looks like you are six months pregnant!

The problem most women faced with weight gain around the middle is that often conventional diets to lose belly fat during menopause fail and even doing a million sit ups won’t budge it.

So let’s explore why belly fat during menopause is so difficult to lose:

1. Growth hormone levels decline

Losing deep sleep due to insomnia during menopause decreases growth hormone levels. Growth hormone is a protein that helps regulate your body's proportions of fat and muscle. With less growth hormone, you reduce your ability to lose fat and grow muscle, slowing your metabolism and causing belly fat.

2. Oestrogen imbalance during menopause causes belly fat

Oestrogen casues belly fat during menopause firstly by increasing your appetite and secondly as oestrogen levels decrease your body looks for other places to get needed estrogen. Fat cells in your body can produce estrogen, so your body works harder to convert calories into fat to increase estrogen levels which causes belly fat and makes weight loss impossible.

3. Progesterone deficiency and belly fat during menopause

During menopause, progesterone levels decrease causing water retention, bloating and belly fat.

4. Testosterone deficiency and belly fat during menopause

Testosterone levels decline during menopause causing weight gain. Testosterone helps your body to create lean muscle mass and muscle cells burn more calories than fat cells do. This increases your metabolism making weight loss easier. In menopause, levels of testosterone drop resulting in the loss of this muscle slowing down your metabolism causing belly fat.

5. Leptin and belly fat during menopause.

Leptin, affects body weight and is secreted primarily by fat cells. Sleep loss and insomnia during menopause decreases leptin and tells the body there is a calorie shortage and promotes hunger. Low leptin levels will make weight loss difficult and can lead to a consistent increase in belly fat.

6. Gherlin and belly fat during menopause

Secreted by the stomach Ghrelin stimulates cravings and appetite and a lack of sleep or insomnia during menopause stimulates its release in higher amounts triggering belly fat.

7. Androgens and belly fat during menopause

Androgens cause weight gain around your mid section and belly fat. This is why it's called the "middle age spread".

8. Insulin Imbalance and belly fat during menopause

During menopause, your body may not be able to metabolise carbohydrates as well, which can lead to an increased storage of fats and higher levels of blood sugar. Excess blood sugar can cause insulin resistance and is directly linked to belly fat.

Is Your belly Fat caused by hormones? Find out now with my FREE online test.

PCOS

Continual, stubborn weight gain is something we hear about almost every day here in the MassAttack clinic. After a visit to the GP, so many women are told that they just need to eat less and exercise more. It’s no wonder so many of us get so frustrated with this response and we walk away thinking “Did he/she even listen to any of what I just said?” When healthy diet and lifestyle changes do not initiate weight loss, it might be time to look into an underlying hormonal imbalance such as Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome.

PCOS is a condition that affects around 5-10% of Australian women of reproductive age and is the most common endocrine abnormality of women in this age bracket [1]. Before ovulation, hormones signal 100-1000 follicles to start developing in order for one to dominate and go on to rupture and release an egg, ready for fertilisation. When the hormonal signal is disrupted, the dominant follicle does not rupture, hindering ovulation, and forms a cyst[2]. This process is characterised by an increase in androgen (e.g. testosterone) levels and can be assessed via a blood test or ultrasound.

In order to diagnose PCOS, one or several of the following may be present:

• Irregular or absent ovulation
• Irregular or absent menstruation
• Infertility
• Hirsutism (male pattern hair growth)
• Insulin resistance
• Obesity/stubborn weight gain
• Acne [3]

Risk factors:

• Genetics: hereditary link between family members
• Obesity: interferes with hormonal regulation, increases risk of insulin resistance
• Insulin resistance: occurs when normal levels of insulin do not have the desired effect on cells, resulting in constantly elevated glucose and insulin levels. This can lead to diabetes, weight gain and may cause or contribute to androgen excess
• Stress: may interfere with hormonal regulation and increase androgen levels
• Hormonal imbalances[4]

Medical treatment has largely focussed on hormonal treatment (OCP, Clomid), weight loss or insulin resistance (Metformin, Diabex) but it is a mix of the above factors that are needed in order to achieve a positive outcome. Weight loss will be an uphill battle if tackled on its own so let’s look at the bigger picture to get the results you are searching for.

Address hormonal imbalance: It is possable to correct these imbalances via nutrients, dietary and lifestyle modification.

Increase phytoestrogens: foods such as nuts and seeds (especially flaxseeds), soy products, legumes, sprouts and fruits and vegetables all produce oestrogen like effects in the body and can help to balance hormones.

Regular exercise: 2-3 times per week will help with insulin resistance, oxygen transport, weight loss and toxic elimination.

Dietary modification: increase good quality protein (fish, lean meat, nuts, seeds, legumes, yoghurt) eliminate saturated and trans fats, increase fibre to assist elimination and limit hormones re-circulating through the system, limit carbohydrates to one meal per day (oats, brown rice).

Reduce sugar cravings and address insulin resistance: eat small, frequent protein based meals and snacks, which will help regulate appetite and metabolism, limit fruit and sugar intake. Herbs such as Gymnema or nutrients such as Chromium, Lipoic acid and Magnesium may be useful in regulating blood sugar levels.

Avoid coffee and caffeinated drinks: places undue stress on the adrenal system and can also interfere with blood sugar regulation.

Moderate alcohol intake: small amounts can have a protective effect but too much puts strain on the liver, which can disrupt digestion and elimination.

Reduce stress: may reduce adrenal output of androgens, help to improve energy levels, promotes inner harmony. Perhaps try a yoga class, go for a long walk, try some deep breathing exercises or try some retail therapy.

Hair removal: waxing and electrolysis discourages thick hair growth by thinning the hair shaft.

Taking a multifactorial approach to treatment will cover many of the varied aspects of this common health concern. Many of the complications of PCOS can be avoided through adequate nutrition and weight loss and a fully functioning hormonal system will be the result of your efforts. You’ll be amazed at how much better your body functions and how much better you feel. So, let’s get moving…

Emma Scasni is a qualified naturopath at MassAttack Health Clinic and has a keen interest in women’s health. Emma is passionate about all aspects of natural health and is happy to offer support and advice to new and existing MassAttack members. MassAttack specializes in natural treatment programs for women with hormonal imbalances such as PCOS, Fibroids, Endometriosis & thyroid imbalance. Narelle Stegehuis, CEO of MassAttack, is the recipient of the Australian Naturopathic Excellence Award 2006 and can be contacted at narelle@massattack.com.au

[1] http://www.mja.com.au/public/issues/187_06_170907/tee10663_fm.pdf
[2] Suzie O’Donohue, Gynaecology: Approaches to Treatment with Natural Therapies, SSNT, 2003 pg 55
[3] Ibid
[4] Suzie O’Donohue, Gynaecology: Approaches to Treatment with Natural Therapies, SSNT, 2003 pg 56

Feeling tired and sluggish?

Our lives are so hectic these days that it really is difficult to find harmonious balance in our daily living. Commitments are many and varied and it seems more often than not, work and family get more of our time than we do. With not nearly enough time in the day to get everything done, we push ourselves to do a million and one things and in the mean time, rarely spare a thought for our own needs. It’s not hard to understand why imbalances occur and the thyroid gland is a main area that is often affected. Weight gain and lethargy are common symptoms of an underactive thyroid but this can just be the tip of the iceberg.

The thyroid gland is a major endocrine gland in the body and is located in the neck, around the same area as the Adams apple. It is a major regulatory gland and is responsible for metabolism, energy and heat production and also communicates with other major hormonal systems in the body. The thyroid, reproductive and nervous systems are closely linked and it is estimated that approximately 10% of the population have a thyroid imbalance diagnosed by abnormal blood test results[1].

Common symptoms seen with an underactive thyroid can include:

• Stubborn weight gain
• Slow metabolic rate
• Continuous fatigue
• Muscle cramps & tremble
• Cold intolerance
• Dry skin
• Hair loss
• Depression
• Mental slowness
• Menstrual irregularities
• Infertility and miscarriage
• Low blood pressure
• Constipation

Medical causes of hypothyroidism include surgery and radioactive iodine treatment. The lesser known contributing factors of poor thyroid function are closely related to an overstimulated immune system (Hashimoto’s thyroiditis), compromised adrenal function (which also features heavily with weight gain, insulin resistance and nutritional deficiencies) and the effects of stress within the body, called oxidative stress. This initiates the production of free radicals, which has the potential to damage thyroid tissue. As the thyroid tries to compensate for this damaged tissue, it can become inflamed and a goitre may develop. Post partum hypothyroidism is yet another contributing factor, which may be brought on by an immune disorder, traumatic birth or excessive blood loss during labour.

Nutritional deficiencies also contribute to poor thyroid function. Selenium, along with zinc, are necessary to activate thyroid hormone and also important to control oxidative stress. Due to poor farming practices, our soil has become selenium deficient, which affects the level of this mineral in our food[2]. Iodine is the central component of thyroid hormone and a deficiency of this mineral is one of the leading causes of hypothyroidism world wide[3]. Reasons for this are believed to be due to reduced use of iodised salt in food manufacture and from the replacement of iodine containing sanitisers for chlorine based chemicals in the dairy industry[4].

So what can be done to treat an underactive thyroid? A blood test for thyroid function may be necessary to identify the level of imbalance of TSH, T3 and T4 and if autoimmunity is present. This will show up as a positive thyroid antibody reading. Thyroid hormone replacement is a common first line of defence but often exacerbates stubborn weight gain regardless of the amount of exercise undertaken or how healthy one’s diet is. Weight will often increase from eating less and doing more! Even if your levels come back “within normal range” your thyroid may still need support.

Naturally, other factors to consider are:

• Stress reduction: hit the gym, try some deep breathing exercises or join a yoga class. Not only will this support your thyroid, it will also help with weight loss, oxygenation and elimination of toxins
• Reduce oxidative damage: stop smoking, moderate your alcohol intake, eliminate trans and saturated fats from your diet, include moderate exercise
• Herbal treatment: herbs such as Withania, Bladderwrack, Bacopa and Coleus can all be effective in supporting thyroid function
• Avoid yo-yo dieting: this will further slow your metabolism contributing to weight gain. Make sure you eat small but regular meals throughout the day, concentrating on good sources of protein
• Limit goitrogens: these are foods that can interfere with thyroid hormone production and include broccoli, cauliflower, spinach, cabbage, brussel sprouts and soy products. Limit but DON’T eliminate
• Antioxidants: include goji berries, dark skinned berries, fresh fruit and vegetables
  Warming herbs: such as ginger and chilli help the body burn energy for heat production and increases the metabolic rate. Add these to your cooking or grate fresh ginger and drink as a tea
• Selenium: found in foods such as brazil nuts, vegetables, wholegrains, meat and seafood. Selenium is toxic in high doses so if using a supplement, do not exceed a daily dose above 100mcg
• Iodine: good sources include sea salt and seaweed

With thyroid function having a strong link in many areas of general health and well-being, it is important that this area that receives sufficient support and nourishment.

Emma Scasni is a qualified naturopath at MassAttack Health Clinic and has a keen interest in women’s health. Emma is passionate about all aspects of natural health and is happy to offer support and advice to new and existing MassAttack members. MassAttack specializes in natural treatment programs for women with hormonal imbalances such as PCOS, Fibroids, Endometriosis & thyroid imbalance. Narelle Stegehuis, CEO of MassAttack, is the recipient of the Australian Naturopathic Excellence Award 2006 and can be contacted at narelle@massattack.com.au

[1] Thyroid Disorders & Infertility Seminar notes, Metagenics 2008, pg 4
[2] http://www.usyd.edu.au/su/agric/acpa/people/budi/selenium.htm
[3] Thyroid Disorders & Infertility Seminar notes, Metagenics 2008, pg 5
[4] Thyroid Disorders & Infertility Seminar notes, Metagenics 2008, pg 6