Recent studies have discovered that an anti-inflammatory protein called tristetraprolin (TTP) has a direct bearing on bone health. Today we'll have a look at this seldom-mentioned compound, what it does, and how it impacts your bones.
We'll also examine Big Pharma's potential uses of this discovery and you'll learn about several ways to achieve ideal TTP levels through diet and supplementation to protect your bones.
What Is Tristetraprolin?
Tristetraprolin (TTP) is a protein naturally produced by the body. TTP targets messenger molecules that encode cytokines, proteins involved in inflammation. TTP binds to the messenger molecules and destabilizes them, which reduces cytokine levels and consequently reduces inflammation. 1
A study on mice has confirmed that TTP levels have a direct relationship to inflammation. When TTP levels were higher, the mice became resistant to inflammation. The researchers concluded that increasing TTP levels can help humans to avoid and treat inflammatory diseases like arthritis or multiple sclerosis.1
Additionally, TTP's effect on inflammation levels has a direct impact on bone health. A study conducted in 2018 at the University of Buffalo tested the importance of TTP for bone health by examining groups of mice altered to produce different amounts of the protein. The researchers bred one group of mice engineered not to produce TTP, one group engineered to overproduce the protein and an unaffected group as a control.2
They found that TTP production was directly linked to bone health. The mice who couldn't produce the protein experienced rapid bone loss and developed arthritis, eczema, and other inflammatory conditions. These mice had elevated osteoclast levels- which may explain the rapid bone loss since osteoclasts are cells that remove old bone.2
The group engineered to over-produce TTP exhibited increased protection against inflammation, and bone turnover was reduced by 13 percent, without affecting the number of osteoclasts.
Unfortunately, our bodies' natural TTP production rate slows down with age. As TTP levels naturally decline, inflammation-related conditions become more likely, and bone health can suffer.
Synopsis
Tristetraprolin (TTP) is a protein naturally produced by the body that limits inflammation. This means that TTP also has bone-protective qualities, but unfortunately, TTP levels decrease with age.
Big Pharma's Business As Usual
Big Pharma is particularly interested in this expanded knowledge about TTP and its ability to limit inflammation levels.
There are non-pharmaceutical means of increasing TTP levels (and we'll review them in just a moment), but it is highly likely that Big Pharma will use this research to create new osteoporosis drugs. Because TTP decreases with age, they will frame this part of the natural aging process as an illness that requires pharmaceutical intervention.
This is both incorrect and unhealthy. The changes that occur with aging should be addressed through diet, exercise, and lifestyle modifications- not with an onslaught of unnecessary drugs that have side-effects that deteriorate health and quality of life.
Synopsis
Big Pharma will almost certainly invest in the production of new drugs to increase TTP levels, adding to the list of unnecessary and harmful osteoporosis drugs.
Green Tea Increases TTP
Our bodies naturally produce TTP, but because its production declines with age, it is important to incorporate food sources of TTP into your diet.
Green tea is a source of TTP that can increase levels enough to have a positive impact on inflammation levels. A study in the Journal of Inflammation showed that solid green tea extracts had the ability to decrease inflammation markers in rats.3
Unfortunately, green tea contains fluoride, which is an acidifying chemical that contributes to bone loss and may even lead to skeletal fluorosis.4 Skeletal fluorosis is the excessive accumulation of fluoride in the bones, causing painful damage to bones and joints. There are some green tea supplements that have the fluoride removed- so if you'd like to use green tea to increase TTP, seek out a supplement that doesn't contain fluoride. And if you drink green tea, remember to do so in moderation.
Synopsis
Green tea increases TTP levels, but it also contains fluoride, which damages your bones. A fluoride-free green tea supplement is the best way to get TTP from green tea.
Cinnamon For TTP And Blood Sugar
A study conducted on mice, published in 2011 demonstrated that cinnamon polyphenol extract (CPE) is an effective means of increasing TTP levels and receiving its inflammation-limiting benefits.5
Cinnamon also has the ability to lower your fasting blood glucose levels. A study with human participants found that taking one, three, or six grams of ground cinnamon in capsule form each day for forty days lowered and helped stabilize their blood sugar levels.6 For reference, six grams of cinnamon powder is a little more than two teaspoons, three grams is a little more than one teaspoon, and a single gram is a little less than a third of a teaspoon.
Strong
Cinnamon increases TTP levels. It can also lower your fasting blood glucose levels- helping to stabilize your blood sugar.
Resveratrol Increases TTP Levels
Resveratrol is a natural compound found in small quantities in foods such as grape skins, peanuts, and some berries. It reduces oxidative stress, improves blood flow, and reduces inflammation.
It also has been shown to increase TTP levels in experiments on colon cancer, resulting in the suppression of the proliferation and metastasis of colon cancer cells.7 While this and other studies show that resveratrol can be used as an anti-cancer agent, the same proliferation of TTP supports healthy bones.8
A study on the relationship between resveratrol and bone health found that participants who took a high dose of resveratrol saw a notable increase in levels of bone formation markers.9
Here is a list of foods containing the highest levels of resveratrol:
- Red grapes*
- Red Wine
- Bilberries
- Blueberries*
- Peanuts*
- Dark chocolate*
*Foundation Foods
Synopsis
Resveratrol is an excellent source of TTP that supports bone health.
Bolster TTP Naturally To Protect Your Bones
Enhancing your diet with Foundation Supplements and bone-healthy compounds like resveratrol is an important part of preventing and reversing osteoporosis.
The Osteoporosis Reversal Program provides a simple supplementation strategy to ensure you're getting everything you need to improve the quality of your bones and the quality of your life.
References
1 https://www.pnas.org/content/113/7/1865
2 https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/0022034518756889
3 https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1783848/
4 https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3144112/
5 https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21329350
6 https://care.diabetesjournals.org/content/26/12/3215.full
7 https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/29956753
I can’t find anywhere to ask this question as comments are closed on the original post. The raspberry muffin recipe here, https://saveourbones.com/2-alkalizing-bone-healthy-recipes-that-provide-complete-protein-and-omega-3-in-treats-youd-never-expect-to-be-so-healthy/?ck_subscriber_id=154898865 calls for “2 cups quinoa, cooked”. Could this be a mistake? I’ve mixed the recipe as written and there will be no, “Spoon the mixture into the muffin pan(s)” as what I’ve got is not a batter but a rather stiff dough. Should the recipe have read, “2 cups cooked quinoa”, instead? I’ve put this dough into the fridge, awaiting your reply. Many thanks
Peggy, the quinoa in that muffin recipe must be cooked prior to mixing. Let us know how they turn out!
Hi Vivian,
I understand the quinoa is cooked, my question is about the quantity.
When I made the recipe as written, “2 cups quinoa , cooked” I got a very thick dough and not a spoonable batter.
Should the recipe have instead said, “2 cups cooked quinoa”?
Yes, you should end up with two cups of cooked quinoa.
I have many physical issues. Enlarged heart, Gerd, osteopenia, osteo arthritis and sjogrens.
I truly want to avoid as many medications as possible. I do take a medication called pilarcopine for my sjogrens to help stimulate saliva. Are you aware if this drug will adversly affect my bones?
Liza, we have not researched that drug but unfortunately, all drugs are acidifying. So it would be great if you could make an appointment with a naturopathic doctor to discuss natural treatments to replace the drug.
I got an email that egg shells are a very good calcium got the recipe also.
I’ve boiled them roasted them @ grinder them came out like powder.
Has anyone ever heard of this we could be throwing shells that could be good for us just a question?
Joan, eggshells are made of calcium carbonate, which is an inorganic version of this crucial mineral. You can read about it here:
https://saveourbones.com/can-calcium-cause-brain-lesions-kidney-stones-and-heart-attacks/
https://saveourbones.com/7-facts-you-didnt-know-about-calcium/
Thank you for getting to me
Very interesting Vivian, could I ask you what the cost of this TTP is. I live in Ireland, poor research on bone here. Many thanks. Rose.
TTP is not available, Rose. You can get supplements such as green tea (without fluoride), resveratrol, or cinnamon.
If the blood potassium level is some what higher than normal, is it advisable to continue to eat banana or one should stop eating it. GP has advised not to eat it?
Bananas do contain significant amounts of potassium, but there are many foods that have a lot more potassium than bananas. Take a look at this article:
https://saveourbones.com/top-12-foods-that-contain-potassium-to-alkalize-your-ph/
So ask your doctor to give you an estimate of how much potassium you can safely consume based on your kidney function, and then stick to it while including bone-healthy, alkalizing foods such as bananas.
How much of the TrueResveratrol should we take daily to reduce inflammation?
A minimum of 75mg per day.
Thank you. Ita.
You’re welcome, Ita!
I had a bone density test done a couple of weeks ago and found out I now have Osteoporosis. The doctor recommended intravenous infusion once a year for five years. I don’t know what the infusion contains and was wondering if you know anything about this treatment and would you recommend it.
Thank you so much for any help you can give me.
Maria Rangel
Maria, don’t let the diagnosis scare you! You can reverse osteoporosis naturally without taking any dangerous drugs. The infusion you’re referring to is called Reclast (in the US) and Aclasta abroad. It’s a bisphosphonate containing zoledronic acid, and it has a lot of undesirable side effects.
We have many articles on that drug, so simply click on this link to learn more about it:
https://saveourbones.com/?s=reclast
And make sure you read this article, in case you hesitate to follow your own decision about the treatment:
https://saveourbones.com/who-should-you-trust/
Stay positive and keep in touch!
Why do you not allow your articles to be printed by printing over them???
Eleanor, you’ll be glad to know that to the left of the article or below it (depending on your screen size) there is an icon of a printer with a button that says “print”. Simply click on it and you’ll have the article ready for printing. Let us know if you need further assistance with this.
I just had my 6 mos checkup. Would you permit me to forward you my blood results to let me know what you think of it? I just turned 80 and have been with you since you began your program to help us … Many at the clinic can’t understand why we are so healthy and take no medicine … I do take a natural thyroid 90 mg of Armour Throid. My husband is 82 we are married for 63 yrs. no medicine for him. My results are a little off on my blood. We were trying the Keto diet…!! If you can’t, I will understand… Edna
Edna, we thank you for being a Saver for all these years and we’re glad that you and your husband are healthy. Vivian is not a doctor, so it would be best if you could get a second opinion from a naturopath or functional medicine doctor.