Listen above or download and subscribe to your favorite podcast network by clicking one of the icons below.
When most women think about osteoporosis or osteopenia, they immediately think of calcium, vitamin D, or lifting weights. But after my conversation with Dr. Kelly McCann, a functional MD specializing in environmental medicine and mast cell activation, it became clear there is a deeper story behind bone loss — one that begins with invisible toxins and ends with how we support our immune system, inflammation pathways, and emotional health.
Dr. McCann’s journey into functional medicine began with a desire to move beyond quick prescriptions and symptom management. Instead, she focuses on uncovering the root causes of why women are becoming more inflamed, more reactive, and more vulnerable to osteoporosis and other chronic health issues.
🧬 What Are Mast Cells — and Why They Matter for Osteoporosis and Bone Health
Mast cells are immune cells created in the bone marrow and stationed throughout the body — especially in the skin, sinuses, lungs, gut, nerves, and blood vessels. Their job is to protect us by releasing histamine and other chemical messengers when a threat is detected.
But what happens when the body begins treating everything like a threat?
This is Mast Cell Activation Syndrome (MCAS) — a state where mast cells become oversensitive and continuously release inflammatory chemicals. This chronic inflammation does more than cause allergy symptoms or sensitivities; it also impacts bone metabolism.
Inflammatory mediators released by mast cells stimulate bone resorption, the process where bone tissue breaks down. Over time, this accelerates bone loss and increases risk for osteoporosis and osteopenia.
Dr. McCann explained that for many women with unexplained bone loss, chronic inflammation — not nutrient deficiency — may be the missing link.
☣️ Mold, Toxins, and Environmental Stressors That Damage Bone Health
One of the biggest hidden triggers of mast cell activation and chronic inflammation is mold exposure. Mold may not be visible, yet it can hide behind walls, under flooring, or in any area affected by moisture or past water damage.
Dr. McCann shared a powerful statistic:
Over 50 percent of homes in the U.S. have some degree of water damage.
Mold toxins (mycotoxins) and other environmental chemicals — including phthalates from plastics and PFAS found in non-stick cookware — can overwhelm the immune system. These toxins:
trigger mast cell activation
increase systemic inflammation
disrupt hormone balance
interfere with bone remodeling
accelerate bone loss
The takeaway: toxins accumulate over time, and your bones absorb part of the burden.
🌸 The Emotional, Energetic, and Mind-Body Connection to Bone Loss
What sets Dr. McCann apart is her recognition of the emotional and spiritual dimensions of health. She refers to this as exploring the “root of the root cause.”
Many women store chronic stress, unprocessed trauma, or suppressed emotions in their bodies. These emotional patterns can create nervous system dysregulation and chronic inflammation — two major contributors to bone density loss.
As Dr. McCann says, symptoms are not malfunctions; they are messages.
When we stop fighting our bodies and start listening, healing becomes possible on a physical, emotional, and energetic level.
💪 Actionable Steps to Protect Your Bones and Reduce Inflammation
Audit your environment
Check for mold under sinks, around windows, behind appliances, and anywhere with past moisture.Switch to safer cookware
Replace non-stick pans with stainless steel, cast iron, or ceramic options.Hydrate and nourish
Drink filtered water and choose whole, anti-inflammatory foods to support bone strength.Reduce plastic exposure
Avoid plastic water bottles and food containers; use glass or stainless steel instead.Regulate emotional stress
Try breathwork, meditation, restorative yoga, or Dr. Andrew Weil’s 4-7-8 breath to calm the nervous system.Work with a functional medicine specialist
If you struggle with unexplained symptoms — fatigue, allergies, sensitivities — consider testing for mold toxicity, MCAS, or chronic inflammation.
🧘♀️ Final Thoughts
Strong bones are not built by supplements alone. They are built by understanding your entire internal ecosystem — your environment, your immune system, your emotions, and your nervous system.
Dr. McCann reminds us that bone loss often begins long before a DXA scan detects it. When you listen to your body’s early signals, address inflammation, and create safety within your environment and emotions, you begin the journey of rebuilding both your bones and your resilience.
Your body isn’t broken — it’s communicating. And with awareness, you can support bone regeneration and long-term vitality from the inside out.
🔗 Resources Mentioned
Learn more about Dr. Kelly McCann: The Spring Center
FAQs
1. Can mold exposure really contribute to osteoporosis or osteopenia?
Yes. Mold toxins (mycotoxins) can trigger systemic inflammation and mast cell activation, both of which increase bone resorption and weaken bone density over time.
2. What is mast cell activation and how does it affect bone health?
Mast Cell Activation Syndrome (MCAS) occurs when mast cells release inflammatory chemicals too frequently. This chronic inflammation disrupts bone remodeling and can accelerate bone loss.
3. How do environmental toxins influence bone density?
Plastics, PFAS, pesticides, and chemical exposures increase oxidative stress and hormone disruption, both of which negatively impact bone metabolism and contribute to osteoporosis.
4. Can emotional stress or trauma weaken bones?
Yes. Chronic stress elevates cortisol, increases inflammation, and dysregulates the nervous system — all factors linked to reduced bone density.
5. What steps can I take to reduce environmental triggers of bone loss?
Improve indoor air quality, reduce plastic use, switch to safer cookware, check for mold, eat anti-inflammatory foods, and support detox pathways through hydration, movement, and stress regulation.
Podcast Subscribe Links - Reversing Osteoporosis
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Oxalates, also known as oxalic acid, are naturally occurring compounds found in many plants, vegetables, and fruits. They are part of a plant’s defense mechanism against predators and can be found in high concentrations in foods like spinach, rhubarb, beets, nuts, chocolate, tea, and certain beans.
Regarding bone health, oxalates can bind to minerals such as calcium in the gut, forming calcium oxalate. This compound is not easily absorbed by the body, meaning the calcium that could have been utilized for bone strengthening is instead excreted. This process can potentially lead to lower calcium availability for bone health, which can be particularly concerning for individuals at risk of osteoporosis or other bone-related issues.
However, for most women, dietary oxalates do not pose a significant threat to bone health, especially if their diet is balanced with enough calcium and they do not have a history of kidney stones.
Your gut is crucial for stronger bones for several reasons:
- Nutrient Absorption: The gut is where most nutrient absorption occurs. For bones to be healthy and strong, they need a variety of nutrients, particularly calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, and vitamin D. A healthy gut efficiently absorbs these essential nutrients from your diet and facilitates their transportation to the bones.
- Gut Microbiome and Bone Health: Research has shown that the gut microbiome (the community of bacteria living in your intestines) can influence bone density. Certain gut bacteria help in producing short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) like butyrate, which have been shown to promote bone health. SCFAs can enhance the absorption of minerals necessary for bone strength and play a role in reducing inflammation, which can negatively affect bone health.
- Hormone Regulation: The gut helps regulate hormones that are involved in bone metabolism, including insulin, thyroid hormones, and sex hormones like estrogen. For example, estrogen is vital for bone density, and gut health can influence estrogen levels through the enterohepatic circulation, where estrogens are processed in the liver and intestines.
- Reducing Inflammation: Chronic inflammation, which can stem from poor gut health, is linked to many conditions that compromise bone strength, such as osteoporosis. A healthy gut helps to reduce systemic inflammation, protecting bones from inflammatory damage.
- Immune System Modulation: The majority of the immune system is located in the gut. An imbalance in the immune system can lead to autoimmune conditions, some of which affect the bones. Maintaining gut health helps to ensure the immune system works correctly, protecting against autoimmune reactions that could impact bone health.
In essence, maintaining a healthy gut contributes significantly to stronger bones by ensuring the effective absorption of vital nutrients, regulating hormones, reducing inflammation, and supporting a healthy immune system. Therefore, a diet rich in bone-healthy nutrients, prebiotics, and probiotics, along with lifestyle factors that promote gut health, is key to maintaining strong bones.