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Hormones aren’t just about menopause—they’re an important part of lifelong bone health.
One of the questions I hear most often is:
“Should I consider hormones for my bones?”
It’s an important question, and one that deserves a thoughtful conversation.
In this episode of Stronger Bones Lifestyle, I sat down with nurse practitioner and hormone specialist Lori Finlay to talk about bioidentical hormone replacement therapy (BHRT) and, even more importantly, what it means to optimize hormones—not simply replace them.
Bone Loss Isn’t Just About Aging
Many women assume bone loss is an unavoidable part of getting older.
Lori’s story offers a different perspective.
After being diagnosed with significant osteopenia in her early 40s, she focused on improving her hormone health, strength training, nutrition, and lifestyle. Years later, her bone density had improved dramatically.
Her story reminds us that our bones are living tissue, constantly responding to the environment we create.
Hormone Optimization Is More Than Taking Hormones
One of the biggest takeaways from our conversation is that hormone therapy isn’t one-size-fits-all.
Lori explained that hormones act as messengers throughout the body. Simply taking hormones isn’t the goal—the goal is making sure your body is using them effectively.
That’s why experienced practitioners often evaluate hormone metabolism, symptoms, lifestyle, and overall health rather than relying on a single lab value.
Every woman is unique.
Lifestyle Still Matters
One thing I appreciated about Lori’s approach is that hormones are only one piece of the puzzle.
She emphasized:
- Strength training
- Weight-bearing exercise
- Whole-food nutrition
- Stress management
- Vitamin D
- Personalized care
These are the same foundations I teach every day because they create the environment where healthy bones can thrive.
No therapy replaces healthy habits.
It’s Never Too Late to Ask Questions
Many women believe they’ve “missed the window” to improve their bone health.
Our conversation offers hope.
Whether you’re newly entering menopause or many years beyond it, understanding your options and working with a knowledgeable healthcare provider can help you make informed decisions that fit your individual health history.
My Takeaway
Hormones are one important part of healthy aging—but they’re never the whole story.
Strong bones are built through movement, nutrition, digestion, healthy hormones, restorative sleep, and consistent daily choices.
Education empowers better decisions, and that’s exactly why these conversations matter.
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.