The Link Between Depression And Osteoporosis

Change is a natural part of aging. From growing hair to growing gray hair, the only constant is change. However, some changes can be detrimental or severely impact the quality of life we may be trying to live. Most people know of depression. After all, approximately 280 million people suffer from depression, with 5.7% of adults older than the age of 60 having the emotional and cognitive disorder.1 Osteoporosis, the bone degenerative disorder, or those with low bone density and at risk of developing osteoporosis, has half of all Americans, age 50 or older, at risk of breaking a bone.2 It is estimated that osteoporosis alone costs Americans $25 billion in fractures and injuries. In recent years, researchers have found a link between these two disorders, potentially opening up the door to treatments that address one but affect both osteoporosis and depression.

How Depression May Cause Osteoporosis 

When research initially uncovered the link between depression and osteoporosis, scientists immediately had another question: which of the two disorders is responsible for the onset of the other? In one initial study, scientists were researching depression, only to find decreased bone mineral density.3 Further studies revealed that those with depression can exhibit lower hormone production and decreased levels of essential vitamins in minerals. Those with depression tend to have both lower levels of vitamin D and increased levels of parathyroid hormone.4 This concentration of hormones and vitamins both can lead to osteoporosis and severe bone loss.

How Osteoporosis May Cause Depression 

There are overwhelming markers suggesting the chronic nature of depression, coupled with its inhibitory effects on the body, can lead to the environment in which osteoporosis may develop. Studies suggest that the discovery of osteoporosis, alongside the strict limitations to movement and bodily autonomy, can lead to depression. This can naturally create a cycle that perpetuates itself.

How Supplements Can Help

Supplements like DHEA and vitamins K and D from Pellecome can help regulate DHEA in the body. DHEA has been shown to aid in osteoblast productivity, increasing bone mass.5 If you’re interested in DHEA, then visit Pellecome.com. If you’re a health provider interested in providing DHEA or vitamins K and D to your patients, then contact Pellecome at 888-773-9969 today.

1. Depressive disorder (depression) [Internet]. Who.int. [cited 2023 Jun 28]. Available from: https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/depression   2. Bonehealthandosteoporosis.org. [cited 2023 Jun 28]. Available from: https://www.bonehealthandosteoporosis.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/Osteoporosis-Fast-Facts.pdf   3. Cizza G, Primma S, Csako G. Depression as a risk factor for osteoporosis. Trends Endocrinol Metab [Internet]. 2009 [cited 2023 Jun 28];20(8):367–73. Available from: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.tem.2009.05.003   4. Kashfi SS, Abdollahi G, Hassanzadeh J, Mokarami H, Khani Jeihooni A. The relationship between osteoporosis and depression. Sci Rep [Internet]. 2022 [cited 2023 Jun 28];12(1):11177. Available from: https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-022-15248-w   5. Qiu X, Gui Y, Xu Y, Li D, Wang L. DHEA promotes osteoblast differentiation by regulating the expression of osteoblast-related genes and Foxp3(+) regulatory T cells. Biosci Trends [Internet]. 2015 [cited 2023 Jun 28]