The Relationship Between Lead Toxicity and Osteoporosis - What You Need To Know

Have you ever thought about your bone health? If you haven't, you're definitely not alone. It's a common misconception that bone density is only a concern for older individuals, but the truth is that it's something we should be paying attention to from a young age. Shockingly, research shows that around half of Americans will be diagnosed with osteoporosis by the age of 50, and it's usually women who are affected the most.  What's even more worrying is that the age of diagnosis is getting younger each year, with women as young as 30 being diagnosed. The good news is that there are steps we can take to protect our bone health.

Bone frailty at a young age is a concerning issue that can arise for a multitude of reasons. We often hear about hormonal imbalances, malnutrition, and genetics being contributing factors, but there's another element that is often overlooked: heavy metals. It's alarming to think that heavy metals can be silently responsible for the degeneration of bone density, often only being detected in the late stages of osteoporosis. This is why maintaining mineral balance is crucial to not only your bone health but also your overall well-being. By paying attention to this vital element, we can take control of our health and help prevent bone frailty at a young age.

Understanding Osteoporosis

Osteoporosis is the development of bone density as bone breakdown increases in comparison to bone regeneration. The inside of our bones resemble a honeycomb structure, and when someone has osteoporosis, or even the early stages of osteopenia, this honeycomb structure becomes prevalent. Those “holes” in the honeycomb get smaller and the spaces between the bone grow larger, also thinning out the shell of what makes the bone, thus making it susceptible to breakage. 

Composition of Bones

When we think of bones, calcium might be the first mineral that comes to mind. As it turns out, that's not too far off! While bones are actually composed of a variety of minerals, calcium makes up the majority. But that's not to say other minerals aren't important - magnesium and boron, for instance, also have crucial roles in bone strength and health. Want to learn more about these minerals and how they contribute to bone composition? Check out our articles here and here on magnesium and boron. By understanding what makes up our bones, we can better appreciate just how incredible and complex these structures really are.

The human body is truly a marvel, and bone structure is one of its many amazing features. Did you know that 99% of our calcium storage is found in our bones and teeth? That's right, calcium is essential for maintaining bone health and strength. But that's not all - roughly 50-60% of our magnesium storage is also found in our skeletons. Plus, 85% of our phosphorus stores are located there too! But it doesn't stop there. Minerals such as zinc, iron, boron, manganese, silica, and even vanadium can all be found within our bones. In essence, bones are truly a mixture of many different elements, working together synergistically to support our system. It's an amazing feat of nature, don't you think?

The Role of Heavy Metals in Bone Health

As one of the most essential minerals to maintain our bone structure, calcium plays a vital role in our overall health. But what happens when we become deficient in this mineral? Well, we could be exposing ourselves to a much more sinister element - lead. This heavy metal has a troubling tendency to accumulate in our bones, replacing precious calcium and disrupting the pH levels in our bodies. This, in turn, could lead to complications in our nervous system, cellular signaling, and, of course, our bones. So, it’s clear that our bodies need a healthy balance of these crucial minerals to stay strong and keep heavy metals at bay.

Studies Linking Lead Toxicity and Osteoporosis

When it comes to osteoporosis, there is a major concern about lead toxicity. Studies have shown that lead can easily replace calcium in the bones, and it can go undetected because it appears to be dense on bone density scans, but actually makes the bones weaker. Unfortunately, screenings are not capable of differentiating between lead and calcium. A study done in 2017 highlighted the correlation between lead toxicity and postmenopausal women's osteoporosis diagnosis. The study here revealed that a staggering 80-90% of lead that is not excreted through detox is stored in the bones. This is problematic because lead antagonizes calcium out of the bones, and with lower hormone levels in postmenopausal women, the calcium is leached out, making bone regeneration through osteoblast activity a challenge. It's crucial to understand the dangers of lead toxicity and how it could potentially impact osteoporosis.

The importance of maintaining good bone health cannot be overstated. A recent study here examined the effects of lead toxicity on bone density in a group of almost 2000 individuals. The findings were alarming: in non menopausal women, there was a significant decrease in bone density in both the femur and the spine. This is concerning because these are typically the strongest bones in the human body. These results highlight the need to reduce exposure to lead and to ensure that bone health is a priority for everyone, particularly women.

Sources of Lead Exposure

Lead sources are often found in environments where gasoline or manufacturing products are prevalent. However, they are not limited to these specific item:

• Cosmetics like hair dye, lipsticks, eye shadows
• Cigarettes
• Paint or ink
• Lead-acid batteries
• Unfiltered water
• Pesticides or inorganic crops contaminated with lead (which could leach into food)
• Supplements made with bone extracts like bone broth or collagen powders

Calcium Consumption and Other Nutrients for Bone Health

Avoiding exposure to lead is important, but the world we live in can still be toxic. If you are concerned about your bones or have a risk of osteoporosis, consuming calcium is vital. Nowadays, many people struggle to get enough calcium through diet alone, so supplementation may be necessary. Fortunately, our Upgraded Calcium is here to help with that! Just a reminder, there are several other nutrients that can help to remove lead from the body. These include phosphorus, magnesium, chromium, copper, selenium, iron, zinc, as well as vitamins C and E. It's also important to ensure you're getting enough bioavailable protein, preferably from animal sources.

To determine if lead is a concern for you, the best approach is to get tested rather than relying on guesswork. You can order a Hair Tissue Mineral Analysis with us here to obtain accurate results.

Barbara Madimenos
Hair Tissue Mineral Analysis Practitioner
Functional Diagnostic Nutrition Practitioner
Integrative Health Coach