Avoiding Brittle Bones, Mending Broken Hearts
May celebrates National Osteoporosis Prevention Month, National Mental Health Month, and National Trauma Awareness Month. At first, it may seem that these three Health Observances have little in common, but they do actually have similarities. Just as our bones need proper attention throughout the lifespan to remain strong, so it is with our minds, hearts, and our spirit. Ignoring the needs of our bones, like weight bearing exercise and good nutrition can lead to fractures and a decline into the disability zone. Ignoring our mental health, such as not heeding the signs of stress, or allowing depression, anxiety, and/or post-traumatic stress disorder to go untreated, can result in debilitating losses, and mounting problems such as addictions, eating disorders, broken relationships, job loss, and a decline in physical health. For example, there is a correlation between depression and bone health. Research indicates a link between being depressed, especially during adolescence and young adulthood and weakened bones. A Turkish study revealed that depressed pre-menopausal women had lower bone mineral density than non-depressed women. Dr. Giovanni Cizzi, M.D., Ph.D., of the National Institutes of Health believes that chronic stress, which releases the stress-hormone cortisol, inhibits the action of osteoblasts (bone-building cells) while increasing the action of osteoclasts (bone-weakening cells). He is currently conducting a study on this link between depression and osteoporosis on women between the ages of 21 and 45.
It is important to remember that men are not exempt from osteoporosis. While it typically shows up in men at an older age than in women, it is nonetheless devastating. Smoking, which has also been identified as stress-related, increases the risk of osteoporosis in both men and women. The same is true for over-consumption of alcohol.
So use the spring, season of growth and new life, to commit to doing whatever work is necessary to insure many seasons of a strong, healthy bodymindspirit. Wishing you all the blessings and hope of spring!