February Newsletter
Love Is In the Air!
At Bone & Body Women’s Health we love seeing women thrive.
Coming up in February is our next in- person member event, “Why Resist? Why Resistance Exercise is Important for All Women.” This event on Wednesday February 21st from 5 to 6 PM will require an RVSP and be held at Krystal’s Body Shop in Wilmette, IL. Krystal Verstraete, a certified personal trainer, will instruct us how to maintain strength while I’ll review the science.
Dr. DeSapri in the Media
Dr. DeSapri was honored in the Premier Doctors Edition of Sheridan Road Magazine. Click here to read the article.
OM Health, The Menopause Bone Health Toolkit
Please check out these valuable lectures ranging from topics like migraines, muscles and menopause, relationships and sex therapy.
Recent Podcasts
Bone Up with myself and Dr. Lauren Streicher as we review how us menopause experts prevent menopause bone loss. Spoiler: Bone loss is not a normal part of aging! Click here to listen to the podcast.
Take a deep dive into understanding your DXA (bone mineral density) and body composition results. I joined Jill Foos, a Chicago based health coach to help make sense of her DXA and how to interpret yours. Click here to listen to the podcast.
Midlife Must – Knows!
What We Know:
Collagen peptides are cropping up in the supermarket shelves, on-line, and even in coffee creamers! As we age, collagen levels decrease (smoking, refined sugars, excess UV light and autoimmune conditions also accelerate collagen’s decline) I review the science-backed literature to help decide if this nutraceutical is right for you.
What is collagen? Collagen is the most abundant protein in our body, and makes up our bones, muscles, tendons, ligaments protein. Collagen is made of 3 amino acids (proline, hydroxyproline and glycine in a triple helix structure.) and there are 28 different types of collagens with different functions; cell growth in hair or skin, elasticity of joints, and structural support for muscles and tendons.
What’s in a collagen supplement? Collagen is extracted from connective tissues from various sources (porcine-pig; bovine-cow, marine-fish) and are available in pills and powders. Like all supplements, other amino acids, fillers or “proprietary” blends might be added. Read the label.
What Does Science Say:
Collagen for….
Hair/Skin: There was a systematic review and meta-analysis of 1,125 women aged 20-75 yrs. across 11 studies using 2.5-10 gm of hydrolyzed collagen for 8-24 weeks for skin aging. There was improvement in skin hydration, elasticity, and wrinkles seen after 90 days of use. (Most collagen powder contains 10 gm per serving size) *International Journal of Dermatology March 2021.
Osteoarthritis: systematic review with knee osteoarthritis showed small reductions in stiffness and pain in patients treated with collagen supplementation. * International Orthopedics March 2018.
Bone Health: Direct scientific evidence on collagen peptides promoting bone growth in humans is still lacking. Collagen is broken down in the bone remodeling process. Industry sponsored research with 131 postmenopausal women with osteoporosis or osteopenia who took 5 gm bovine collagen/day showed improvements in BMD at spine and femur neck after 1 year. Longer term human studies are needed.
*Nutrients 2018
Last Word: The US FDA does not regulate supplements. The supplement industry does not regulate itself. All supplements should be vetted with a health care professional.
We appreciate our patients for trusting us with your health. Please share this newsletter with other women who may benefit from education or the comprehensive care at Bone and Body Women’s Health.
Stay cozy and strong this month!
Happy Valentine’s Day!
Yours,
Kristi Tough DeSapri, MD