Dr. Vonda Wright

We know that we can gain muscle at any time in our lives, but we do it most easily until we're about 30, right?

We know that we can gain muscle at any time in our lives, but we do it most easily until we're about 30, right?

We also know of changes in the way our gut functions as we age, having to do with absorption and the ability of the microvilli in our gut to absorb nutrients and different kinds of nutrients. Women in midlife, for instance, need vitamins that are something called methylated, which means broken down a little more because our gut function is less efficient.

We also know of changes in the way our gut functions as we age, having to do with absorption and the ability of the microvilli in our gut to absorb nutrients and different kinds of nutrients. Women in midlife, for instance, need vitamins that are something called methylated, which means broken down a little more because our gut function is less efficient.

So every phase of our aging, we're different.

So every phase of our aging, we're different.

Well, men, because of the influence of testosterone and the genetics of having XY chromosomes, build more bone initially, thicker cortices, more absolute poundage of bones. And then because of the plummeting of estrogen, which is critical for bone health,

Well, men, because of the influence of testosterone and the genetics of having XY chromosomes, build more bone initially, thicker cortices, more absolute poundage of bones. And then because of the plummeting of estrogen, which is critical for bone health,

women lose bone faster than men, such that after about age of 40, when we get to that plateau, women start to lose bone density about 20% by the time they get to their menopause. And that can have dire effects for women, but that is all due to the role of estrogen on controlling bone density.

women lose bone faster than men, such that after about age of 40, when we get to that plateau, women start to lose bone density about 20% by the time they get to their menopause. And that can have dire effects for women, but that is all due to the role of estrogen on controlling bone density.

It is not. In 2004, we studied a very large group of master's athletes, meaning athletes 40 and older, in the National Senior Games, which is Olympics for people of that age demographic. And the National Games, you have to have won your state games. to qualify. So these were pretty high-level recreational athletes. So we did a study looking at their bone density across time.

It is not. In 2004, we studied a very large group of master's athletes, meaning athletes 40 and older, in the National Senior Games, which is Olympics for people of that age demographic. And the National Games, you have to have won your state games. to qualify. So these were pretty high-level recreational athletes. So we did a study looking at their bone density across time.

And the first thing, the first study we found was that with chronic exercise, such as these people did, you could maintain your bone density at a very high proportion into your 80s. The second question we asked was, okay, If we know we can do that, what exercise is really important for that? And so we divided the sports up into bounding sports where the bones were being impacted.

And the first thing, the first study we found was that with chronic exercise, such as these people did, you could maintain your bone density at a very high proportion into your 80s. The second question we asked was, okay, If we know we can do that, what exercise is really important for that? And so we divided the sports up into bounding sports where the bones were being impacted.

Like basketball, running, volleyball, anything where you come down hard on your bones versus swimming, bowling, biking. And we found that bashing your bones, impact, was as important in maintaining bone density as things you can't control, like your age, whether you're born with XX chromosomes or XY chromosomes, family history.

Like basketball, running, volleyball, anything where you come down hard on your bones versus swimming, bowling, biking. And we found that bashing your bones, impact, was as important in maintaining bone density as things you can't control, like your age, whether you're born with XX chromosomes or XY chromosomes, family history.

impacting bones, causing them to build up over time is critically important for maintaining bone density. So to answer your question, is loss of bone density inevitable? Loss of estrogen is inevitable. Loss of bone density doesn't have to result in osteoporosis, fracture, and frailty.

impacting bones, causing them to build up over time is critically important for maintaining bone density. So to answer your question, is loss of bone density inevitable? Loss of estrogen is inevitable. Loss of bone density doesn't have to result in osteoporosis, fracture, and frailty.

Well, you know what? I'm on a rampage for this year to make bones sexy again. Because here, from a very superficial level, is why we should care. And then I'll tell you from a more scientific level. You know, we only think of our bones usually in a couple times. Like you look in the mirror and somebody tells you, oh, your bone structure is magnificent. Look at this model's bones.

Well, you know what? I'm on a rampage for this year to make bones sexy again. Because here, from a very superficial level, is why we should care. And then I'll tell you from a more scientific level. You know, we only think of our bones usually in a couple times. Like you look in the mirror and somebody tells you, oh, your bone structure is magnificent. Look at this model's bones.