| The body has an ever changing terrain. Every part of | | | | regulate bone mass by turning this gene on and off. |
| the body undergoes renovation and bone is no | | | | In humans it is found that those with various forms |
| exception. There are cells in the bones that create | | | | of osteoporosis, including men, have higher than |
| new bone cells and there are cells that break down | | | | normal levels of serotonin in the blood, indicating |
| bone cells. The break down is supposed to occur as | | | | abnormal gene Lrp5 activity. |
| the cells become old and spent, but it has been | | | | Pharmaceutical research into drugs that are used for |
| shown in humans that after the age of 20, there are | | | | those with osteoporosis have been trying for years |
| less bone cells being formed as people become their | | | | to treat those with fragile bones. Most of them only |
| mature height. Over the years, the process tips more | | | | prevent bone loss and do not stimulate the |
| towards bone cell breakdown as seen in post | | | | generation of new bone tissue. There is one drug on |
| menopausal women where a drop in estrogen | | | | the market that that stimulates bone production but |
| stimulates certain cells that tear down bone to | | | | there is an associated high risk of developing bone |
| become overactive. As you have probably heard, | | | | cancer so it is used short term on high risk individuals |
| osteoporosis is a condition where the bones lose | | | | with severe bone loss. |
| mineral and become porous and brittle. Certain | | | | Dr. Karsenty believes with this new information |
| medications and health conditions like body acidity can | | | | regarding serotonin levels in the small intestine it |
| contribute to loss of bone mass. | | | | should be relatively easy to design a drug that will |
| The discovery in recent years that serotonin formed | | | | come into direct contact with the serotonin producing |
| in the small intestine is crucial to bone formation has | | | | cells in the small intestine and not enter the blood |
| brought new light to the puzzle of bone loss. | | | | stream where it doesn't need to be. This will reduce |
| Scientists thought they had identified most of the | | | | potential side effects and increase patient comfort. |
| hormones that contribute to bone health or the loss | | | | In addition to drug therapy, patients may want to |
| of it until Dr. Karsenty and his research team | | | | consider making more alkaline food choices and |
| identified a gene called Lrp5 which controls the | | | | drinking more alkaline water. Testing saliva and urine |
| production of intestinal serotonin. Through | | | | pH with test strips available at any health store |
| experiments with mice they discovered that | | | | should be part of everyone's daily routine regardless |
| serotonin inhibits bone formation and by manipulating | | | | of their risk for osteoporosis. After all, some |
| Lrp5, they could inhibit or accelerate bone formation | | | | surprises are not nice. |
| in mice. These experiments show that it is possible to | | | | |