Insulin/glucose is regulated by bones and pancreas

[Lady C]

Originally Posted by NY Times

Last summer, researchers at Columbia University Medical Center published startling results showing that a hormone released from bone may help regulate blood glucose.

When the lead researcher, Dr. Gerard Karsenty, first described the findings at a conference, the assembled scientists “were overwhelmed by the potential implications,” said Dr. Saul Malozowski, senior adviser for endocrine physiology research at the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, who was not involved in the research. “It was coming from left field. People thought, ‘Oof, this is really new.’

“For the first time,” he went on, “we see that the skeleton is actually an endocrine organ,” producing hormones that act outside of bone.

In previous work, Dr. Karsenty had shown that leptin, a hormone produced by fat, is an important regulator of bone metabolism. In this work, he tested the idea that the conversation was a two-way street. “We hypothesized that if fat regulates bone, bone in essence must regulate fat,” he said.

Working with mice, he found that a previously known substance called osteocalcin, which is produced by bone, acted by signaling fat cells as well as the pancreas. The net effect is to improve how mice secrete and handle insulin, the hormone that helps the body move glucose from the bloodstream into cells of the muscle and liver, where it can be used for energy or stored for future use. Insulin is also important in regulating lipids.

I found this to be quite interesting and informative. It shows we don't know as much about the body and how it functions as we previously did.

Source: NY Times Story

I find that very interesting too.

As I am always one who, after reading something, is quick to come up with a plan of action or solution is scratching his head right now on this one.

Thanks for sharing.

[Merrida]

I have absolutely never heard of this before. Thank you for sharing, it's extremely informative, and I like how it gives me more in my arsenal! Very good read!

[CF-OC_gal]

That is interesting. I wonder if that is tied in with the other end of the BMI scale and it's health problems. I asked one of my docs who was big on BMI what happens if you are always too low (underweight/underfat). She said you increase your risk of osteoporosis and stroke. I'm sure osteoporosis would then mess with your bone hormone levels.

[Merrida]

Hey CF, isn't it interesting how docs have no problem with tunnel vision.....it works well one way but not the other.

Yes, yes, before I get bombarded, there are circumstances where this is pertinent.

But off the top of my head I can think of so many where they deny other correlations, and only accept the negative, disease causing impacts.

[CF-OC_gal]

I don't have a problem with the doc in this case. She was right - "skinny" as defined by the BMI has it's health risks too.

I accept the fact that they are dealing with the general population for which BMI is a good indicator of health risks. Yeah it's a bummer that they don't recognize a more muscular physique when it comes to using those tools but that part of the population is still the minority of who they see.

It's the same thing as the standard fitness test. The scores are based on the average population. I don't see results on it anymore since my scores are in the 80-95%tile now. We just are not average.