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Episode 78: Dr. Yvonne Karney MD: Functional Gynecologist & Hormone Locksmith
Stronger Bones Lifestyle Podcast: Take Control of Your Bone Health
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[2:35] One of her aha moments
[4:09] Fosamax
[12:16] Why medications are not her first go to
[14:16] Acidity and inflammation
[15:45] Optimizing your hormones
[16:07] The women’s health initiative study
[20:23] BHRT and the varieties of estrogen
[29:31] Progesterone
[30:31] Receptor sites
[33:38] Healthy guts and hormones
[37:33] Fat
[43:30] Aging appropriately
Aging Gracefully: Overcoming Challenges and Embracing Functional Medicine for Stronger Bones
Welcome back to the Stronger Bones Lifestyle Podcast. In Episode 78, Debi welcomes Dr. Yvonne Carney, founder of Vitality Renewal Functional Medicine in Chicago, for an insightful discussion on women’s bone health and hormone replacement therapy.
Dr. Yvonne shares her personal journey from traditional medicine to integrative medicine, underscoring a pivotal moment when she encountered the limitations of standard osteoporosis treatments. This experience prompted her to explore a more holistic and functional approach to bone health.
Dr. Yvonne also elaborates on the significance of hormone levels and their impact on bone health. She stresses the benefits of using bioidentical hormones, citing studies that show fewer side effects and better alignment with the body’s natural processes.
Dr. Yvonne also discusses the holistic health approach in functional medicine, which includes considerations for nutrition, inflammation, and immune system support to optimize hormone function.
Throughout the episode, Dr. Yvonne and Debi call for greater transparency in medical recommendations and advocate for empowering women to take control of their bone health through informed choices and lifestyle interventions.
"We don't just want dense bones, we want strong bones and they're not always the same thing." [6:20]
"That’s my mission -blow up osteoporosis in the way we diagnosis, manage and treat it." [11:02]
"There's so much we have control over in our health. So much." [11:17]
"We are a multi-faceted being and that’s why we can't just do pills for things."
Listen to more episodes on Bone Health and Osteoporosis
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
To ensure healthy aging and maintain strong bones, it’s essential to adopt a multi-faceted approach. Finding knowledgeable and supportive functional medicine practitioners can also make a significant difference in your health journey. Additionally, lifestyle interventions like adequate protein intake, movement, vitamin D supplementation, reducing inflammation, and hormone optimization are key elements.
Dr. Yvonne Carney points out that medications like Fosamax can have long-term adverse effects, such as atypical femur fractures and osteonecrosis of the jaw. While these medications may improve bone density on x-rays, they don’t necessarily enhance bone function or strength. It’s critical to focus on functional medicine approaches that look at overall body function rather than just improving bone density.
Inflammation can accelerate bone loss, and chronic inflammation in the body impacts bone remodeling negatively. Factors such as prolonged stress and certain medications, like steroids, contribute to increased inflammation. Adopting an anti-inflammatory diet, practicing regular exercise, and managing stress can help mitigate inflammation and support better bone health.
Hormone receptors are crucial for the efficacy of hormone therapies. Inflammation and toxins can damage these receptors, affecting how well hormones work in the body. A holistic health approach that considers overall health—including nutrition, inflammation, and the immune system—is necessary to optimize hormone function and, consequently, bone health.
Bioidentical hormones are molecularly identical to the hormones naturally produced by the human body, leading to better efficacy and fewer side effects. Non-bioidentical hormones, like premarin and medroxyprogesterone acetate, are not identical to human hormones and can cause varied effects, including a higher risk of adverse outcomes. Bioidentical hormones provide a safer and more effective option for hormone replacement therapy.