Probiotics And Bone Loss: Brand New Study Uncovers Amazing Link Between The Two - Save Our Bones

Your body is teeming with a complex community of microscopic life forms referred to as the human microbiota, inside and out. Upsetting the balance of these organisms, particularly in the gut, is just one short course of antibiotics away, according to a recent study that also reveals such an imbalance can last for an entire year.

But the good news is that, as a just-published study confirms, microbiota-balancing probiotics act as protectors against post-menopausal bone loss, thanks in large part to the remarkable metabolic connection between your bones and your immune system.

Boosting Immunity In Preparation For Winter

As we approach mid-October in the Northern Hemisphere, many of you are experiencing the first chilly weather of the season. With the seasonal change come colds and flu, and a host of other illnesses that proliferate during the fall and winter months.

Your immune system is the first line of defense against these “bugs,” so you’ll want to make sure it’s in top shape, and not only to avoid illness. Nurturing and strengthening your immune system also helps your bones, and we’re beginning to understand more about the mechanism by which this occurs.

Researchers are discovering more about the amazing interplay between your immune system, hormone levels, digestive health, and bone strength.

Study Shows The Connection Between Immunity, Estrogen, And Osteoporosis

While scientists (and Savers) have known for some time that the immune system plays a role in post-menopausal osteoporosis, it was unclear as to the mechanism behind this interplay. A study on mice sheds new light on this concept.

Researchers removed the ovaries of female mice. The resulting loss of estrogen increased the permeability (and thus the susceptibility to infection) of the gut. The mice’s immune systems then responded by increasing the number of Th17 cells and levels of inflammatory cytokines – both substances that break down bone.

Th17 cells are a subset of T-helper cells that produce and regulate cytokines, which are chemical messengers that manage the immune response. Among their many roles, cytokines are involved in bone resorption by stimulating the production of osteoclasts, the cells that tear down bone. The process of osteoclast synthesis is called osteoclastogenesis. A 2008 report explains this process:

“Th17 cells are arrayed with factors that can directly and indirectly drive osteoclastogenesis. …master differentiation factors and signature cytokines of the Th1, Th2, and Treg lineage inhibit osteoclastogenesis and Th17 products stimulate osteoclastogenesis.”1

Osteoclasts are necessary for healthful bone remodeling, of course; but when Th17 and cytokine production is excessive, then osteoclast action is also excessive, leading to bone loss.

Back to the ovariectomized mice – the drop in estrogen (which happens during menopause in humans) resulting from the procedure was the key signal that increased the Th17 cells and, in turn, the cytokines that stimulated the excessive osteoclast activity. The very first stimulation of this bone-destroying process was caused by increased gut permeability.

Study Proves That Probiotics Repair Gut Permeability And Stops Bone Loss

To observe the relationship between gut permeability and osteoclasts, the researchers administered Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG (LGG) twice a week to some of the mice. LGG is commonly found in yogurt and other fermented foods. Another group of mice was given an eight-strain mix of bacteria. The mice were divided into still three other groups: one group that was given no probiotics at all, another one was given a non-probiotic strain of E.coli, and another was given a mutated form of LGG with a genetic defect that prevented it from sticking to the intestinal walls.

The mice were evaluated after a month on their respective regimens. Here is what they found:

“…twice-weekly treatment of sex steroid–deficient mice with the probiotics Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG (LGG) or the commercially available probiotic supplement…reduces gut permeability, dampens intestinal and BM inflammation, and completely protects against bone loss.”2 (emphasis added)

The mice given the E.coli or the mutated PGG showed no improvement, and the researchers declared these supplements “not protective.”

In fact, the mice that were not treated with probiotics lost half of their bone density! Notably, female mice that had not had their ovaries removed also increased their bone density during probiotic treatment.

The study concludes that:

“Our data further suggest that probiotics that decrease gut permeability have potential as a therapeutic strategy for postmenopausal osteoporosis.”2

Believe it or not, there’s even more to this study. As part of the overall experiment, researchers raised female mice in a completely germ-free environment and gave them a type of drug that prevents ovarian hormone production. Their bone density did not decrease, indicating that existing gut bacteria (which these mice did not have) activate the immune cells that begin the process of bone loss in response to estrogen depletion.

In summary, what this study shows is that a drop in estrogen causes greater permeability of the gut, which in turn signals cellular processes by the immune system resulting in bone density reduction. And this study proves that probiotic supplementation prevents this particular mechanism that leads to bone loss.

Reduced levels of estrogen are not the only cause of gut imbalance. The biggest culprit behind upsetting the human microbiome is the misuse and overuse of antibiotics.

One Short Course Of Antibiotics Can Upset Human Flora For A Year Or Longer, European Study Shows

It’s well known that antibiotic-resistant bacteria are proliferating at an alarming rate; and it’s also well known that antibiotics cause intestinal distress. In an attempt to better understand these concepts and their connection, scientists in the UK and Sweden conducted randomized, placebo-controlled clinical trials that involved giving 66 participants various antibiotics and studying the effects on their oral and gut microbiomes (which were analyzed before the study to obtain a baseline).

The four antibiotics used in the study were clindamycin, ciprofloxacin, minocycline, and amoxicillin, and participants took their respective antibiotic (or a placebo) for one week. The researchers found that the gut microbiome “was severely affected by most antibiotics,”3 with the most alarming effect being the severe impact on specific bacteria that produce butyrate.

Butyrate is a fatty acid with antioxidant anti-inflammatory properties. The bacteria that produce butyrate met their demise at the hands of clindamycin and ciprofloxacin in particular, with reduced microbiome diversity still present in some clindamycin-takers after 12 months.3 The potential for chronic intestinal inflammation due to antibiotic use is therefore highly significant.

Another finding was the proliferation of antibiotic-resistant genes in the participants’ microbiomes following antibiotic treatment, pointing an undeniable finger at how just one week of antibiotics contributes to antibiotic resistance among microbes:

“Clearly, even a single antibiotic treatment in healthy individuals contributes to the risk of resistance development and leads to long-lasting detrimental shifts in the gut microbiome.”3

The Vital Importance Of Probiotic Supplementation

While I’m not suggesting that you forego antibiotics when they are truly necessary, I’d like to point out that probiotic supplementation is absolutely essential for your body to recover after a course of antibiotics. In addition, research shows that to prevent bone loss caused by decreased hormone levels, it’s crucial to take probiotics during and after menopause.

The quality of probiotics you choose makes a big difference, as illustrated in the first study. TrueLife PB™ is an exceptional supplement that contains six strains of extensively-researched probiotics, including L. rhamnosus referred to in the mouse study above. In addition, TrueLife PB™ includes two prebiotics to “feed” the helpful bacteria in the intestines.

No refrigeration is necessary, because the capsules are individually sealed in opaque foil packaging that protects the capsules from light, moisture, and air. So they arrive perfectly preserved and ready for ingestion.

NatureCity, the manufacturer of TrueLife PB™, have extended a special savings opportunity for Savers only: 20% off your first order.

Exclusive 20% OFF TrueLife PB™ Coupon Code for Savers!

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Try TrueLife PB™, the perfect probiotic and prebiotic, now →

In view of these studies, TrueLife PB™ is a highly beneficial addition to your bone-health goals and your overall health!

Till next time,

References:

1 Adamopoulos, Iannis E. and Bowman, Edward P. “Immune regulation of bone loss by Th17 cells.” 10. 5. (2008): 225. Web. October 11, 2016. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2592787/

2 Li, Jau-Yi, et al. “Sex steroid deficiency-associated bone loss is microbiota dependent and prevented by probiotics.” J Clin Ivest. 126. 6. (2016): 2049-2063. Web. October 11, 2016. https://www.jci.org/articles/view/86062

3 Zaura, Egija, et al. “Same Exposure but Two Radically Different Responses to Antibiotics: Resilience of the Salivary Microbiome verses Long-Term Microbial Shifts in Feces.” mBio. (2015). PDF. https://mbio.asm.org/content/6/6/e01693-15.full.pdf

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Comments on this article are closed.

  1. Priscilla Barnes

    Is TrueLifePB a more complete remedy than Pro-X10?

  2. Mary

    Do you have anything to stop and prevent urinary tract infection? I have had 3 every three weeks or so and go on antibiotics to get rid of them, would love something natural.

    • rozmund

      I too suffered the same problem, and my doc delighted in writing up the none ending scripts it seems..then one day in a hurry to leave the office for the long weekend he was quite abrupt..and said..drink 8 ounces of water, laced with lemon, every hour on the hour for the next twelve hours…repeat on day two if necessary but it will probably not be…call me on Tuesday ………I was hurt..but did as he suggested … and IT WORKED .. I actually made an appointment to see him to discuss the matter..and during our discussion he admitted that if he could write a script for plain old tap water he would be doing it..but he would go broke..Truthfully that was 40 years ago and I have never had a UTI since..Often, we simply run to the doctor first – and think side effects second if at all…the good bacteria in our bodies that we cannot live healthfully without also get killed offed with the antibiotics along with the bad ones….that is my story..water flushes us out..oh, there were times when the familiar feelings of a UTI trying to set in would be felt..immediately I upped my fluids … for a 12 hour period..happy side effect was that I didn’t eat as much either….so I learned that if I wanted to drop a few pounds for a special dress, that is how I did it..sort of a “fluid” fast…knocking off two problems at the same time…I am now 82 – and am not incontinent..a dreaded situation so many elders face….have a good one..and I would love to hear back from others..

  3. Annie

    HI,
    I cannot find the Probiotics for you bones in this Post /article!
    Would you please share them here?

    Thank you.

  4. Barbara Mundy

    I believe there are certain constant bacterial strains in kefir and no doubt additional variables. I am trying to include a variety of fermented foods and drink in my diet. That should give me a greater range of probiotic bacteria.
    I am making my own raw milk kefir and cheese, water (tamarind and/or lemon myrtle tea based) and coconut water kefirs, kombucha, brined vegetables, sauerkraut, kimchi, miso, sourdough bread, organic fruit vinegars. And there are many more one can find on the internet. Tempeh and yoghurt I buy, but am wary of inadvertently buying foods made using water that contains fluoride despite being labelled as organic.
    Since I “found” Saveourbones (my grateful thanks, Vivienne ) I distill my own water and use it for all the food and drink I cook/prepare… soaking beans, lentils etc.

    I am now 75. But went down (literally!) the road of Fosamax and HRT for 10 years… before my hip broke. No surprise… now that I am being educated by your wonderful research and articles.
    PS: Psoriasis I’d had for over 40 years, went after about 3 to 6 months on distilled water. That’s when I’d been prescribed fluoride tablets when pregnant and breast feeding my first two children!!
    A gynecologist had prescribed fluoride

    • Vivian Goldschmidt, MA

      Fluoride tablets! Incredible.
      Thank you for sharing your experience with homemade, fermented foods. Very inspiring! And it lifts my spirits to hear that your psoriasis disappeared after several months of drinking distilled water. 🙂

  5. Priscilla Barnes

    In response to encouragement in an email from you I currently take Pro – 10 from BioTrust is it comparable to TrueLife PB?

  6. Raquel Rego

    I love the taste of org unsweetened KEFIR. Can I keep taking it vs pill form ? Which brand do you recommend until I switch to true life later on when I get tired of KEFIR. Thanks Vivian for another great sharing.

  7. Wendi

    My 20 year old daughter recently had her ACL surgically reconstructed- a very common outpatient knee procedure. Unfortunately, this otherwise healthy athlete got an infection in the incision. Her surgeon cleaned it out (another surgical procedure) and after a 7 day stint on a heavy dose of Keflex, now she has been put on a heavy dose of Cipro. (the germ cultured does not respond to Keflex, he guessed incorrectly initially). She already feels better having the infection out of her body, but I am concerned about her gut and immunity. I wanted to start her on probiotics during the course of antibiotics, but was told to wait when I purchased. Can you confirm if we need to wait?

    Appreciate you help!!

    • Vivian Goldschmidt, MA

      Hi Wendi,

      Taking probiotics during antibiotic therapy is not a bad idea, and then continue the probiotics after the antibiotics are finished.

  8. Sandra

    I take it every day and have for years.

  9. cindy

    When is the best time to take probiotics? Morning or evening before meals or after meals. If before meals 1 hour before or if after meals 1 hour after? thanks

    • Vivian Goldschmidt, MA

      Hi Cindy,

      TrueLifePB resists stomach acid and is released in the intestines, so you are free to take it whenever it is convenient for you.

  10. job

    Is this something you would need to take daily for an ongoing time?

    • Vivian Goldschmidt, MA

      Hi Job,

      A lot of people prefer to take probiotics periodically rather than constantly. For example, a prudent idea is to take a supplement for a couple of weeks and then abstain for another couple of weeks. And you can take them more frequently if needed, such as during cold and flu season or after taking antibiotics, when you may want to take them continually for a month or two.

  11. Kathaleen

    Would fermented veggie juice, teaming with probiotics, serve as a good source of probiotics?

  12. Karen

    I looked at the ingredients of TrueLife, and it has magnesium stearate and cellulose. I am under the impression that magnesium stearate does not absorb well, and I am wondering what is the source of the cellulose. Thank you.

    • Vivian Goldschmidt, MA

      Hi Karen,

      Magnesium stearate has two equivalents of stearate and one magnesium cation. Stearic acid is the most common of the long-chained fatty acids. It is found in many foods including vegetable and animal oils, beef fat, and cocoa butter. Meat, poultry, fish, eggs, butter, grains, and milk products also contain stearic acid. A person who eats a chocolate bar will ingest hundreds of times more stearic acid than someone taking a dietary supplement with magnesium stearate, which contains minute amounts. In addition, the magnesium stearate in TrueLifePB is vegetable-based. So there’s no need to worry about it. 🙂

      The cellulose is plant-derived and has properties similar to gelatin. It’s what the capsule is made from.

  13. Dee Battis

    I have to take miralax and citrucel. Daily. Will this hurt my bone loss?

  14. Joan

    From what I have read, and have heard, you have to take Pre-Biotics for Probiotics to work.
    What do you know about that?

    Thank you.

    • Vivian Goldschmidt, MA

      Yes, this is true, Joan. That’s why TrueLifePB includes pre-biotics in its blend. 🙂

  15. Sheila

    How does organic kefir compare to True Life PB ?

    • Vivian Goldschmidt, MA

      Organic kefir can be an excellent source of probiotics, especially if it’s unsweetened. But comparing it to TrueLifePB is sort of like comparing apples and oranges! They are different products entirely, and the bacterial strains present in kefir vary according to brand, manufacturing process, and so forth.

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