When we talk about osteoporosis, we often think about women, but men can develop osteoporosis too. And because it's frequently overlooked, many men don't discover they have a bone-health problem until after a fracture.

In this episode, I'm joined by Dr. Tom Forfa, a medical doctor who was diagnosed with osteoporosis at just 37 after experiencing 13 fractures in 10 years. His experience led him to investigate the underlying factors affecting his bone health and ultimately turn things around.

We talk about why osteoporosis can be missed in men, potential risk factors including low testosterone, certain medications, malabsorption, alcohol, and lifestyle factors. We also discuss exercise, nutrition, bone density testing, bone turnover markers, physical therapy, and how men can be more proactive about their bone health.

I hope this conversation helps you and the men in your life see osteoporosis differently. Don't panic, but don't ignore it. Ask why it happened, get informed, and take action.

"For men, there isn't an intense period of bone loss. It tends to be more gradual. Or for the vast majority, there's an underlying medical condition or a medication that's causing it, and that is often underlooked." ~ Dr. Tom Forfa

In this episode:

[00:00] - Introduction: Osteoporosis in men

[02:01] - Dr. Tom Forfa's 13-fracture osteoporosis story

[05:10] - Why osteoporosis develops differently in men

[07:53] - Major osteoporosis risk factors for men

[14:01] - Exercise, nutrition, and medication for bone health

[15:26] - Medical treatments and testing

[23:27] - Misconceptions and patient mindsets

[34:47] - When should men get a DEXA scan?

[37:11] - An osteoporosis diagnosis can be a positive turning point

Resources

- Osteoporosis Exercises to Strengthen Your Bones and Prevent Fractures - https://tinyurl.com/mybonehealthexercises

- Dr. Forfa's Men's Osteoporosis Program - https://bonedensityeducation.com/

- Dr. Forfa's app for newly diagnosed osteoporosis - https://lenarihealth.com/

More about Margie

- Website - https://margiebissinger.com/

- Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/p/Margie-Bissinger-MS-PT-CHC-100063542905332/

- Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/margiebissinger/?hl=en

DISCLAIMER – The information presented on this podcast should not be construed as medical advice. It is not intended to replace consultation with your physician or healthcare provider. The ideas shared on this podcast are the expressed opinions of the guests and do not always reflect those of Margie Bissinger and Happy Bones, Happy Life Podcast.

*In compliance with the FTC guidelines, please assume the following about links on this site: Some of the links going to products are affiliate links of which I receive a small commission from sales of certain items, but the price is the same for you (sometimes, I even get to share a unique discount with you). If I post an affiliate link to a product, it is something that I personally use, support, and would recommend. I personally vet each and every product. My first priority is providing valuable information and resources to help you create positive changes in your health and bring more happiness into your life. I will only ever link to products or resources (affiliate or otherwise) that fit within this purpose.

You want to exercise for stronger bones, but with so much conflicting advice, how do you know what really works? Lift heavy, wear a weighted vest, jump, use vibration platforms, try special bone-building devices...how do you know which advice is supported by research?

In this episode, I'm joined by Dr. Lora Giangregorio, a bone health and exercise science researcher, to separate the science from the hype. She is a professor and a Tier 1 Canada Research Chair in Bone Health and Exercise Science at the University of Waterloo. She also leads the Bone Health and Exercise Science Lab and serves on the Scientific Advisory Council for Osteoporosis Canada.

We talk about the exercises that have the strongest evidence for preventing falls and fractures. We also tackle balance training, progressive resistance, weighted vests, yoga, vibration platforms, and other popular exercise approaches, and why "lift heavy" isn't the right message for everyone.

Most importantly, you'll learn how to start where you are, progress safely, and become a smarter consumer of bone-health information.

"Standing on one foot at the kitchen sink is not really a comprehensive balance training program. You want to make sure that you include a variety of things." ~ Lora Giangregorio, PhD

In this episode:

[02:28] - The exercise that can help prevent falls and fractures

[04:30] - Why standing on one foot isn't enough for balance

[09:25] - What the research says about preventing bone loss

[15:17] - Why "lift heavy" isn't the right advice for everyone

[21:55] - How to safely introduce impact exercise

[27:05] - The truth about weighted vests and bone density

[33:03] - Are bone-building devices and vibration platforms worth it?

[39:10] - What yoga can and can't do for your bones

[41:29] - How to tell good bone-health information from hype

Resources

- Lora's website - https://boneslab.ca/

- BonES Lab YouTube Channel - https://www.youtube.com/@boneslab

- Osteoporosis Exercises to Improve Strength and Reduce Fractures - https://tinyurl.com/exercisesforyourbones

- Happy Bones Club (Margie's membership program) - https://tinyurl.com/happybonesclub

- Discounted Supplements at Margie's Fullscript Dispensary - https://tinyurl.com/mysupplementsforless

More about Margie

- Website - https://margiebissinger.com/

- Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/p/Margie-Bissinger-MS-PT-CHC-100063542905332/

- Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/margiebissinger/?hl=en

DISCLAIMER – The information presented on this podcast should not be construed as medical advice. It is not intended to replace consultation with your physician or healthcare provider. The ideas shared on this podcast are the expressed opinions of the guests and do not always reflect those of Margie Bissinger and Happy Bones, Happy Life Podcast.

*In compliance with the FTC guidelines, please assume the following about links on this site: Some of the links going to products are affiliate links of which I receive a small commission from sales of certain items, but the price is the same for you (sometimes, I even get to share a unique discount with you). If I post an affiliate link to a product, it is something that I personally use, support, and would recommend. I personally vet each and every product. My first priority is providing valuable information and resources to help you create positive changes in your health and bring more happiness into your life. I will only ever link to products or resources (affiliate or otherwise) that fit within this purpose.

Fear and confusion have surrounded hormone therapy for decades, especially since the Women's Health Initiative. But what really happened, what did the research show, and how did those findings shape the way women think about hormones today?

In this episode, I'm joined by Dr. Felice Gersh, a double board-certified OB-GYN and integrative medicine physician, to discuss the history, the research, and the ongoing debate around hormone therapy and bone health.

We talk about why estrogen matters for bones, Dr. Gersh's take on what was misunderstood in the Women's Health Initiative, and why she believes progesterone deserves more attention in the bone-health conversation.

We also discuss what women in their 50s and 60s should know, why individualized decision-making matters, and why more research is still needed.

"We want to help people to have healthy longevity. And that means when nature takes us down the wrong path, we try to do something to make it better. If you don't believe that medicine is about defying nature, then you don't know what medicine is." ~ Dr. Felice Gersh (on the necessity of medical intervention)

In this episode:

- [02:37] - History of hormone replacement therapy (HRT)

- [09:27] - How the Women's Health Initiative changed HRT

- [21:48] - Why HRT may be necessary before official menopause

- [33:12] - How to access HRT in a safe and effective way

- [45:43] - What Dr. Gersh says about different HRT regimens

- [1:04:10] - HRT after 60: did women really miss their window?

Resources

- Dr. Gersh's website - https://integrativemgi.com/

- Dr. Gersh's Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/dr.felicegersh/

- Osteoporosis Exercises to Improve Strength and Prevent Fractures - https://tinyurl.com/exercisesforyourbones

- Happy Bones Club (Margie's membership) - https://tinyurl.com/happybonesclub

More about Margie

- Website - https://margiebissinger.com/

- Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/p/Margie-Bissinger-MS-PT-CHC-100063542905332/

- Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/margiebissinger/?hl=en

DISCLAIMER – The information presented on this podcast should not be construed as medical advice. It is not intended to replace consultation with your physician or healthcare provider. The ideas shared on this podcast are the expressed opinions of the guests and do not always reflect those of Margie Bissinger and Happy Bones, Happy Life Podcast.

*In compliance with the FTC guidelines, please assume the following about links on this site: Some of the links going to products are affiliate links of which I receive a small commission from sales of certain items, but the price is the same for you (sometimes, I even get to share a unique discount with you). If I post an affiliate link to a product, it is something that I personally use, support, and would recommend. I personally vet each and every product. My first priority is providing valuable information and resources to help you create positive changes in your health and bring more happiness into your life. I will only ever link to products or resources (affiliate or otherwise) that fit within this purpose.