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What Is Osteoporosis?

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Osteoporosis is an age-related disease in which bone mineral density decreases, leading to brittle bones being more prone to breaking. The most common risk factor for osteoporosis is aging. Genetic factors also play a role, with men who have a father or brother with the disease being twice as likely to develop osteoporosis than those without this family history. A Boca Raton osteoporosis specialist can diagnose and treat the condition.

Causes

As you age, your bones start to decrease both in density and thickness (this process begins at around age 30). Areas with high bone turnover (such as the pelvis, spine, ribs, and hips) will weaken first. Men tend to lose bone at a slower rate than women; however, after menopause, many women experience accelerated bone loss due to a lack of estrogen.

The following factors can contribute to developing osteoporosis:

  • A family history of the disease.
  • Race and ethnicity (white and Asian women are more likely to develop osteoporosis than black and Hispanic women).
  • Being female (women have a 30% greater chance of developing osteoporosis than men, as mentioned above).
  • Undergoing hormone replacement therapy (men and women should talk to their doctors about the risks associated with HRT).
  • Having a history of smoking cigarettes.
  • Consuming excessive amounts of alcohol.
  • A sedentary lifestyle (low levels of exercise and activity will increase your risk for developing osteoporosis).

Symptoms

The symptoms of osteoporosis vary and often mimic other conditions. Osteoporosis may go unnoticed for years because the symptoms are painless and result in no more than a slow-healing bone fracture or a loss of height due to compression of vertebrae (a condition also known as “dowager’s hump”).

There are a few signs and symptoms that you can look out for to determine if you might have osteoporosis. If you experience one or more of the following, make an appointment with your doctor as soon as possible:

  • Unexplained loss of height (in a short period).
  • Back pain from compression fractures in the spine.
  • Fractures in the hip, wrist, or spine (especially after minimal force or impact).
  • A hunched back (in older individuals) due to compression fractures of the vertebrae.
  • Symptoms of a broken bone that takes a long time to heal.

Treatment

Depending on the severity of your osteoporosis, treatment will vary. The earlier you seek treatment, the better off you will be (hip fracture, in particular, can lead to impaired mobility, and immobility may result in further bone loss). Also, certain medications may improve bone health.

While there is no cure for osteoporosis, the following treatment options may help. Bisphosphonate bone-building drugs will slow down further bone loss and decrease your chances of developing osteoporotic fractures. You may need to take these medications for several years.

Calcitonin nasal spray or injection (for people who cannot take oral bisphosphonates)

Calcitonin (a hormone that speeds up the laying down of new bone and reduces bone breakdown) is given through a nasal spray or an injection. Calcitonin may not be as effective as other medications, but it can reduce the risk of vertebral fractures.

Estrogen replacement therapy for women after menopause (when estrogen levels drop)

In summary, osteoporosis is an age-related disease where bone mineral density decreases, leading to brittle bones that break easily. It mainly happens in men with a family history of the disease and women after menopause. Symptoms include unexplained weight loss, compression fractures in the spine, and a hunched back. Treatments vary depending on severity.

Michelle has been a part of the journey ever since Bigtime Daily started. As a strong learner and passionate writer, she contributes her editing skills for the news agency. She also jots down intellectual pieces from categories such as science and health.

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Health

BioLongevity Labs: How Two Biohackers Are Making Longevity Safe for the Mainstream

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Humans have been looking for ways to extend their lifespan for hundreds of years. Medicine has made impressive strides, but for many, the effects of aging are still painfully real.

Through BioLongevity Labs, biohackers and entrepreneurs Jay Campbell and Josh Felber aim to introduce ordinary people to potentially life-changing compounds called peptides. Campbell and Felber come from very different backgrounds.

Campbell is a five-time international bestselling author and globally recognized leader in the health-optimization space. Felber is a serial entrepreneur who excels at scaling businesses.

For both men, BioLongevity Labs is more than just a business venture — it’s about helping everyday people discover something that just might prolong and improve their lives.

“Your body inevitably changes as the years pile on,” says Campbell. “Your energy drops, and wrinkles start showing up uninvited. Peptides can change everything.”

Many people have probably heard the term “peptide” in passing. Some may know they’re associated with longevity. Most people just don’t have a strong grasp of how they work.

A peptide is a short chain of amino acids, which are the building blocks of proteins. Essentially, peptides are like shorter, simpler proteins. That might sound unremarkable, but the real magic of peptides lies in how they work.

They function as signaling or “messenger” molecules telling the body to perform specific functions. Many peptides function similarly to hormones. A relevant example is GLP-1 (glucagon-like peptide-1) receptor agonists. This class of medications includes semaglutide and tirzepatide, two wildly popular weight-loss drugs.

“These peptides aren’t just another biohacking fad,” Campbell explains. “They enhance insulin secretion and suppress glucagon release to balance blood sugar levels and promote sustainable weight loss”. But what sets GLP-1 receptor agonists apart is their ability to regulate hunger.

Through the reduction of appetite and increased feelings of fullness, it is far easier for dieters to stick to a calorie deficit.” Although GLP-1 receptor agonists are widely prescribed, most peptides aren’t.

Campbell asserts, because many peptides have the potential to cure illnesses by treating the fundamental root cause, they go against America’s “sick care” model of healthcare. They potentially threaten drug companies and their bottom line.

“Peptides are simultaneously a dream come true for mankind and the worst possible nightmare for the pharmaceutical industry,” says Campbell. “It’s not a conspiracy theory. It’s pure economics and psychology in action. People will do whatever it takes to make as much money as possible in a free-market society, even if it means suppressing a superior solution.”

Patients probably aren’t going to be introduced to peptides through the healthcare system. Many discover them on their own. But for the many people who don’t have a solid understanding of how they work molecularly or even what dose to take, there is a risk. That’s precisely what BioLongevity Labs’ co-founders are attempting to address.

Jay Campbell has dedicated his life to educating people about therapeutic peptides and optimized hormones, and along with his partner Josh Felber, they’ve created a company offering filler-free, third-party tested peptides and bioregulators.

Campbell and Felber stress the fact that BioLongevity Labs isn’t meant to be a replacement for traditional medical care. Instead, its products bridge the gap between clinical and extra-clinical care. There’s no magic pill or single solution to solve the problem of aging.

But thanks to the development of specialized peptides, bioregulators, and small molecules, we’re closer than we’ve ever been before.

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