According to a well-known proverb, the eyes are the mirror of the soul. But what if your skin could be the mirror of your bones? In a study, Yale School of Medicine researcher Dr. Lubna Pal suggests that there might be a direct correlation between common wrinkles on the face such as laugh and frown lines, the neck, and bone density.
After analyzing facial skin firmness, depth, and quantity of wrinkles, Dr. Pal observed that the worse the skin condition, the lower the hip, lumbar and spine density found in middle-aged study subjects- all women. And the opposite appears to apply as well; firmer facial skin was linked to greater bone density.
As Dr. Pal explains, “Bones and skin share common building blocks – a group of proteins known as collagens. As we age, changes in collagen may account for age-related skin changes, including worsening skin wrinkles and sagging skin, and also contribute to deterioration of bone. Ultimately, we want to know if intensity of skin wrinkles can allow identification of women who are more likely to fracture a bone.”
So What’s Wrong With Making This Connection?
On the surface, Dr. Pal’s observations seem logical. After all, if aging skin suffers damage, and skin and bones are made of the same proteins, more wrinkles reflect more collagen damage. And since bones are made up of mineralized collagen and a collagen matrix, the visual observation of facial lines could offer a glimpse into the condition of bones.
But once we start digging deeper, it’s easy to realize that this study misses the point entirely.
Dr. Pal is in-step with reductionism, a ‘philosophy’ (if it can be called that) applied by the medical establishment where scientists study small and defined phenomena rather than the whole picture. The biological phenomena under observation is fragmented and simplified by omitting relevant information, most often leading to conclusions that are completely disconnected from reality.
Terrible Unintended Consequences
A perfect example of reductionism is GlaxoSmithKline’s Avandia, the world’s best-selling diabetes drug. Used to increase insulin sensitivity in Type II diabetics, its sale was suspended in Europe and severely restricted in the US in 2010.
Indeed, Avandia performed its task, but with terrible unintended consequences: a Cleveland Clinic study showed that patients taking Avandia had a 43% greater risk of a heart attack or other cardiovascular problems.
This is what happens when scientists fail to look at the whole picture.
Another good example of how the isolation of one health condition from the rest of the body leads to dreadful unintended consequences is – you guessed it – osteoporosis drugs and their side-effects, including the irreversible Osteonecrosis of the Jaw (ONJ).
And these side-effects unleash a vicious cycle of yet more prescriptions to mitigate them. As s I write in the Osteoporosis Reversal Program:
“…more often than not, side-effects of osteoporosis drugs are treated with yet more medicines that have their own side-effects. For example, when patients taking bisphosphonates complain of gastrointestinal discomfort, doctors are typically not ready to stop the drug treatment and therefore prescribe an acid reducer such as Nexium or Prevacid. Little does the patient know that these medicines hinder calcium absorption, causing even more bone loss…”
The Yale Study Flaws
What I find truly baffling is that some are surprised by these study results. It is no secret that poor nutrition and lifestyle habits lead to poor health, which leads to – among other things – lots of wrinkles. For example, The Standard American Diet is not only highly acidifying; it is also practically devoid of antioxidants and many other important nutrients that protect the skin. And not surprisingly, you need those antioxidants and nutrients to build strong bones too.
Add to this the myriad of chemicals added to foods and the rampant use of artificial sweeteners, and it is not difficult to see how damaged skin is tied to weak bones that could easily fracture.
Also, lack of sleep or poor sleeping habits can ravage your skin while elevating your stress levels. And high levels of stress is another factor that contributes to weak bones.
You see, the number of studies one can conduct in this vein would be endless. That's because unhealthy eating and lifestyle habits for the most part will have an overall negative effect on your entire body. And in your body's wisdom, it gives you “warning signs”. Sometimes those come in the form of pain and other times as wrinkles.
As I mentioned earlier, reductionism doesn't look at the whole picture. Instead of isolating and fragmenting our biology, we have to look at it as one perfectly synchronized and interdependent system designed for optimal health. And the Osteoporosis Reversal Program does just that, with the clear understanding that …
Beauty Comes From the Inside Out
Like your bones, your skin needs to be nourished with the right nutrients – vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants – working in harmony with each other and with other metabolic processes. It also needs to be free of other harmful substances.
And the great part is that you'll be feeding your skin what it needs as well.
For example, you may know that Vitamin C is a Foundation Supplement. This potent antioxidant and crucial nutrient plays a critical role in collagen production. Other Foundation Supplements involved in collagen integrity are Copper, Manganese, and Silicon. Plus when you are on the Program, you are already eating a large variety of antioxidant-rich foods.
Again, one of the unintended consequences of the Osteoporosis Reversal Program is that your skin will have a healthy and luminous glow.
Keep smiling!
You May Also Like These Related Articles:
How Collagen Strengthens Your Bones And How To Support It
Glycine: The Amino Acid That Builds Collagen, Muscles, And More
Do Collagen Supplements Live Up To The Hype?Comments on this article are closed.
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Vivian, I question why you answer some questions, but not all? I look forward to all of them. TIA!
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I think it important to point out that the Yale paper hypothesised that severity of skin wrinkles may indicate the presence of osteoporosis. The cohort was small (114 subjects) and intended as a pilot study for further investigations. The prime idea was to produce a potential simple predictor as a primitive screening facility to identify potential sufferers without subjecting them to extensive testing first up. So long as professionals and the public alike recognise that the presence of osteoporosis can also occur in patients without severe wrinkles as false negatives, I think we could probably tolerate the false positives.
I would disagree that this paper is an example of reductionism. I would imagine that all efforts to identify simple indicators of the risk of osteoporosis should be welcomed by most responsible health care providers. Dr Michael K Molton MBBS FFMACCS Adelaide Australia-
Thanks for chiming in, Dr. Molton!
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Dear Vivian
Two years ago I had a bone density test with a minus four T score in my spine, made with Dextra. Now I had a test with a sonogram for bone density, I had to put my feet in to a machine and the result -0.1for bone mineral density and saying that I am a low risk for osteoporosis. How is this possible?
Two years ago I start to fallow your diet. It is possible that I recovered in 2 years?
I turned to sonogram test because Dextra work with radiation which I try to avoid.
What would you think it happened?
Best regards
Martha-
I congratulate you for reversing your osteoporosis, Martha!
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I would be interested to hear your views on denatured whey protein as an aid to bone building. I take roughly a heaped tablespoon each morning mixed with organic plain yogurt and strawberries.
In reply to Sharon, June 18th, may I say that initially I was very sceptical of your programme, probably because of the potential to make money from peoples’ health worries. There is such a deluge of material on the internet you can be easily confused and most do seem to be money spinners.
However I am in the lucky position to have an experienced pharmacist locally who only deals in Natural Health Products and makes herself available for advice. She is very much along the same lines as Vivian although she has not had first hand experience of it, unlike Vivian.
When you are first told that you have Osteoporosis you can feel isolated and at a loss as to what to do if you do not want to take drugs. Vivian’s materials and knowledgeable advice are very affirming. I also appreciate the fact that she keeps us up to date on all new developments in Osteoporosis and her views on it, advice we can take or leave – all free!
Thank You Vivian. Looking forward to the long awaited cookbook!!-
Use a whey powder without sugar and sweeten it yourself or without any sweetener.
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Hi Nuala,
Whey is highly alkalizing and a fine addition to your diet.
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Hi! Vivian,
Your Articles Are Always Very Informative! Thank You VERY MUCH For The Time You Take To Research This Information, In TryIng To Help People Like Me!LOVE, MS. L.
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You’re very welcome, Leslie!
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Hi Vivian;
Another interesting email! It is all so
informative to read others’ comments too.
Thanks. Louise
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My pleasure, Louise!
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The skin certainly cannot be a way of diagnosing the bones in my case. Although I’ll be 70 next month, my skin looks younger than a 50 year old, thanks to good care, diet and genes. However, two years ago I was diagnosed with extreme osteoporosis (40% bone loss in the lumbar spine, etc.) I never did go on the MD’s drugs. Thanks to Vivian and her program, I gained back 10% density in the spine the first year, and am continuing to gain.
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Hi Marsh
You really encourage me to stay on Save Our Bones program. I also have 40% bone loss. And I was so scared not to go on Fosamax, what kind of excercise do u use? I would appreciate all the information of how you gain 10% density. Which supplements are you using?
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Yes, it’s an overall health issue, not a skin issue.
Thanks,
Shula
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Vivian, your emails are very informative. Thank you for the time you spend researching bone health and for using your scientific background to help us improve our bone health. Take care, Suzanne
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You’re welcome!
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My mother is 87 years old with virtually no wrinkles on her face. Yet she has severe osteoporosis which includes 3 compression fractures in her lumbar vertebrae as well as spinal stenosis. Maybe people with lots of wrinkles tend to have osteoporosis, I don’t know, but the opposite is clearly not the case.
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Worked for a beautiful woman who was 93, without a wrinkle in her face, but her bones were a mess along with spinal stenosis.
The public always seems to jump every time a NEW study comes out REVEALING something. People suddenly panic, believing that just because a scientist or doctor, or group of them, says something, it must be true. Studies are many times biased or as Vivian appropriately reveals that reductionism is used in the wrinkles=poor bone density study. These same people may also have hair loss & weak nails, or a mole on their left shoulder, or diabetes as well, we don’t know either way, as the study focuses only on the appearance of the face & the density of bones. Researchers wanting recognition & funding for future studies are drawing conclusions with that aim.
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A little known link between bone health and skin is vitamin K2. When skin is nourished with whole, real food and important supplements, it can look great at any age, even if deficient in K2. But bones will suffer if we don’t get enough K2.
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As always great information. I too would like to know where I can get the Avalon Organics Vitamin C renewal facial cream.
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Vivian,
Regarding the Avalon Organics wrinkle cream, it is great that this product does not contain parabens but it does contain phenoxyethanol which I have done some research on. Many companies are using this chemical in place of the parabens and it may appear to be worse. Have you any comments?
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WalMart has it.
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Just Google it.
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Or, better yet, just scroll up on this page and Vivian gave it to you, it’s in red letters; hover the mouse over it, and when it turns to a hand, left click the mouse, and presto, you have everything you want. Have a great day.
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I have tried probably every osteoporosis drug they have could not take any of them because I have GERD. Last year they had me try RECLAST. Please anyone out there that it is suggested to DO NOT DO THIS. I have had so much trouble since then. I have hurt so much in my joints, my GERD is worse than ever, I have trouble with nausea, my vision is worse, I don’t know if it is to blame for everything but I do know that it all came about within weeks of this treatment.
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I am lactose intolerent and although I am following your nutrition advice, and I exercise on a regular basis, my hands, finger-joints and wrists are getting stiffer and weaker. I find it difficult to grasp, and my wrist feels as though it is breaking when opening tight bottle lids. I take calcium supplements every day.
Thankyou for your excellent e-mails. I really appreciate them as I am a pensioner.-
Try Arnica. My hands are useable because of this. There are many forms of it.
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Hilda
the stiffness may be due to lack of magnesium to balance the calcium and help them both to absorb better. Also, do check out your water intakeMaureen
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Hilda,
You may be developing rheumatoid arthritis. Check with your doctor.
Good luck!
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are the new drugs for osteoporosis any better than the old class drugs. my doctor wants to put me on one of the newer class drugs.
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Hi Wanda,
I have not yet found an osteoporosis drug that doesn’t have potentially devastating side effects. In addition, none that I have found is actually effective in building bone health. I’ve reviewed most of the osteoporosis drugs on the market. If you know the name of the drug your doctor is recommending, do a search for it on this site — I’ve most likely written a blog post about it. 🙂
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Can you find any drug that does not have a potentially devastating side effect? ALL drugs have side effects even “natural” and “herbal” remedies. Red rice yeast taken for high cholesterol can cause liver failure. Plain old aspirin can cause death from a bleeding ulcer. Saw palmetto can cause a blood clot in your lungs. Black cohosh can cause liver failure. Vitamin E can cause serious bleeding. High doses of vitamin C can cause kidney stones. My point is that you must always balance the risk to benefit ratio, meaning Wilkins good it does out weigh the risk of bad.
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My second dexa scan came back with an improvement of 10% in bone density. The doctor thinks i take evista but although they are prescribed for me I throw them away, I do this to avoid being bullied into taking them. So why the increase in bone density? I can only assume that it is due to my daily walking with the dog for an hour and a half and my dancing which is a major part of my life. I have adjusted my diet since reading Save our Bones and have a well balanced diet and a Gold Standard Multi Vitamin supplement. What else can it be? I am so glad I read your book and decided to avoid the nasty drug rememdies.
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Hi Jayne,
Good for you! I’m so pleased to hear that you’ve gotten such good results from following The Osteoporosis Reversal Program. And you might want to review Doctor Dialogues, one of the supplemental reports that was included with your program — it contains several tips that will help you communicate with your doctor and avoid being bullied. 🙂
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Good to hear of your increase in Bone Density – gives us all hope and incentive.
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Hi Vivian,
As always, great info on the relation between skin and bones.
Thank you so much.-
You’re welcome!
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I would take this study with a grain of salt. I’m a 63-year-old man with firm skin and a T-score of -2.9 in the lumbar, normal in the hip. I have a 67-year-old woman friend with wrinkles and sagging skin around the neck and her numbers are in the osteopenia range. Go figure.