Degree of Skin Wrinkling Tips Off Bone Loss

I have long suggested that women evaluate the strength and growth rate of their fingernails to help predict how their bones may be doing.  Researchers have proven for the first time that facial skin wrinkles¹ are an accurate predictor of bone density in women in their late 40s and early 50s.

The study evaluated 114 women in their late 40s and early 50s who had their last menstrual cycle within three years – a potential time of high bone loss due to the sudden drop in estrogen.  Women were excluded from the study if they were taking hormone replacement therapy or if they had undergone any cosmetic skin procedures.

Women with the most wrinkles on their face and neck, an evaluation that also included the depth of wrinkles as well as the use of a durometer to evaluate skin firmness were found to have the lowest bone density. The skin wrinkling was predictive of bone loss at all commonly measured sites (hip, lumbar spine and heel), and was independent of age, body composition or other factors known to influence bone density.

Your bones and skin are both made of collagen. The difference is that your bones are highly mineralized, yet are still 50% collagen. Thus, the same types of nutrient raw materials that support collagen support both bone and skin formation. The same type of free radical and other stressors that break down collagen do so in both your skin and bones. While there are differences between your skin and bones there are enough common needs to indicate that excess wear and tear in your skin predicts bone problems as well.

Many nutrients that are used for bone and joint health, including tissue-forming nutrients such as hyaluronic acid, glucosamine, chondroitin, MSM sulfur, and dietary protein are going to synergistically support skin health and bone health via collagen synthesis and tissue matrix formation.  There are also many well-documented nutrients that protect your skin or collagen, such as vitamin C, grape seed extract, lycopene It is a bright red carotene and carotenoid pigment and phytochemical found in red colored fruits and vegetables such as tomatoes, carrots, watermelon, and papayas. Research suggests amelioration of cardiovascular disease, cancer, diabetes, osteoporosis, and infertility. , tocotrienols, and green tea.

The good news is that the reverse of this study must also be true. If you use nutrition to support your skin health, something that is actually easy to do, then you will also send some good vibes in the direction of your bones.