Psychological Wellbeing Associated with Healthy Bones

Psychological well-being may be one key to bone health.

A positive outlook, self-acceptance, positive relationships, and purposeful living are the foundation of mental well-being?and it turns out, they might build a foundation for healthy bones as well. According to the results of a study presented at the annual meeting of the American Society for Bone and Mineral Research in in Minneapolis, Minnesota, various indicators of psychological well-being are associated with healthy bone density.

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Bone Density

Bones are comprised of living tissue that grows and changes throughout our lives. In fact, bone formation is a highly regulated process in the body?old bone is constantly being removed and new bone formed. In childhood, adolescence, and early adulthood, new bone formation outpaces the removal of old bone. As we age, however, that process reverses?and we may see a decrease in bone density.

Bone density (or bone mineral density) refers to the amount of mineral matter per square centimeter of bones. Bone density can be an indirect indicator of the risk of osteoporosis and fracture. In fact, there is a statistical association between poor bone density and higher likelihood of fracture.

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Mental Health and Bone Density

Depression has been linked with low bone density and increased risk of fracture, possibly as a result of high cortisol or inflammation. However, the absence of depression is not necessarily the same as being psychologically healthy?so researchers set out to examine the relationship between psychological health and bone density.

Researchers analyzed data from two phases of the Study of Midlife in the United States, which included a national sample of adults who were interviewed in 1995 and 2005 regarding various areas of psychological health. At the time of the second interview, 716 participants had bone density scans of the lumbar spine and femoral neck.

The results indicated an association between bone density and various measures of psychological well-being?including a long-term positive affect, positive relationships with others, self-acceptance, and a sense of purpose in life. Each of these measures was associated with strong bone density in the femoral neck. The strongest association was for having a purpose in life.

The associations between bone density and measures of psychological health were adjusted for age, gender, race, education, financial advantage, body weight, smoking, and physical activity. What?s more?positive associations remained even after adjustment for depression symptoms. Associations were not seen for life satisfaction, autonomy, personal growth, or environmental mastery.

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Mental Health Matters

Research will be ongoing to examine the relationship between emotional health and bone density. In the meantime, it appears that mental health and physiological health are equally important. A bone-building diet and weight-bearing exercise are important for maintaining bone health?but it can?t hurt to have a healthy outlook as well.

Reference:

Karlamangla A, et al. Psychological well-being is positively associated with adult bone mineral density: findings from the Study of Midlife in the United States. Presented at the annual meeting of the American Society for Bone and Mineral Research, October 12-15, 2012, Minneapolis, Minnesota. Abstract MO0316.

Source: http://awomanshealth.com/think-your-way-to-healthy-bones/

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