A change of pace, a closer look at what puts our bones at risk, and a simple question on statins.
Hello and welcome from Timor Leste.
It has been a good week, with a change of pace at the end of it. Steady progress at home, and then some welcome rest.
Personal Highlights
Chelle and I are in Timor Leste, catching up with Max and his partner Katie.
The week has included a sunset at the beach, and a walk up to Cristo Rei, the huge statue of Christ on the headland above Dili. A bit like Rio I imagine. We have also had some welcome sun after a cold Tasmanian winter.
Rest is part of the plan. It is also one of the best ways to look after long term health.
Did You Know? Osteoporosis Risk Factors:
Osteoporosis means the bones have become thinner and weaker than they should be. It is quiet. There are usually no symptoms, and the first sign is often a fracture.
Here is the part that surprises people. Many of the risk factors are things we can do something about. And some of the biggest are not lifestyle at all, but medicines we take for good reasons.
A few risk factors are worth knowing:
Age, being female, and early menopause.
Family history, especially a parent who broke a hip.
A previous fracture from a minor fall or bump.
A small, light frame, or low body weight.
Low physical activity, smoking and heavy alcohol use. Bone responds to load.
Low calcium, vitamin D or protein intake.
Certain conditions, including coeliac disease, inflammatory bowel disease, rheumatoid arthritis, an overactive thyroid or parathyroid, long standing type 1 diabetes, chronic kidney disease, and low testosterone or oestrogen.
Then there are the medications. Several commonly used drugs can lower bone density, particularly with long term use:
Oral corticosteroids, such as prednisolone, taken for around three months or more.
Aromatase inhibitors, used after breast cancer, and androgen deprivation therapy, used for prostate cancer.
Some anti seizure medicines.
Long term acid suppressing tablets, called proton pump inhibitors.
Pioglitazone, used in type 2 diabetes.
Too much thyroid hormone replacement.
Depot medroxyprogesterone, an injectable contraceptive.
Please do not stop any of these on your own. The medicine is often doing an important job. The answer is to know your bone health and protect it. If you have several of these risk factors, it is worth asking your doctor about a bone density scan.
Professional & Business Updates
Education, Research, and Partnerships
The new Healthy Life Network newsletter is getting ready for launch. John North has put a great deal of work into it, and I am grateful. I’m now going through and adding final touches, Watch this space.
We also have a new piece coming on what is true and what is sold in health advice. A lot of what is marketed to people over 40 sounds better than it is.
Clinical Practice
I completed some expert cardiology work supporting Antarctic expeditioners, and Advara Echo Services continues to build in Hobart.
Longevity Lab
The Thermal Wellness Pod is installed and the team is trained. We are very close to starting the marketing for the Pod and for IV therapy, and I met with the team this week to line up the plan.
There was good news from St Luke’s too. We have approval for three free one hour community talks. Dates to follow.
I happen to be speaking at St Luke's Health on Bone Health by OsteoStrong, Monday, 26 October⋅17:15 – 18:15 feel free to join if interested.
OsteoStrongâ„¢ Hobart
More people joined as members this week, and the centre had a real buzz about it. Strength, balance and staying independent are what members tell us matter most, so every new face is a good sign.
Bone Buddies, our option for two people to train together, is the next launch.
Podcast/YouTube Highlight
This week’s episode is EP460: Statins for Seniors: Breaking New Ground with the STAREE Trial. I cover the trial in detail, and it is well worth a listen. 🔗 Listen here
Featured Reminders
Here are a few products and tools that Chelle and I personally use and have discussed on the podcast.
These are affiliate links and are commercial in nature. They provide a genuine win–win — you receive access at a discount through your association with the Healthy Life Network, and I receive a financial benefit if you choose to purchase through them.
I only share products I personally use or believe may be of benefit, and you should always make your own informed decision.
NuCalm: www.nucalm.com, code DrWarrickNuCalm, 15% off for life, plus a seven day free trial, I’m still using this daily
Fatty15: partners.fatty15.com/WARRICKBISHOP, fascinating back story
PEMF (BestCellf): www.bestcellf.com.au/?ref=HealingMats, incredible technology, energising the cells, acting through the calcium channels.
Community: Healthy Life Network, join free, here https://healthyheartnetwork.com/page/community
Cholesterol Explained: Cholesterol Book https://drwarrickbishop.com/bookstore/8/cholesterol-explained
Quiz Corner
Last week’s question: When a health claim on social media sounds too good to be true, what are three simple questions you can ask to test whether it holds up?
Answer: First, who is making the claim, and what do they gain from it? Second, what is the evidence, and was it in people, or only in cells or animals? Third, how big is the benefit, what are the downsides, and does it apply to someone like me? If a claim has no source, no downside and no nuance, treat it with caution.
This week’s question: Are statins helpful for the older population? Yes or no? I will share the answer next week….clue, it is in the podcast
Final Reflection
A sunset on a beach. A walk up a hill to see the view.
Rest is not time away from health. It is part of it.
Bones are much the same. Quiet, slow, and built by small things repeated.
Warm regards, Dr Warrick
Helping people live as well as possible for as long as possible
Disclaimer: Dr Bishop is unable to provide individual patient advice over the internet due to the complexity and importance of health related issues. Australian guidelines prevent professional specialist advice being offered without an appropriate referral.