Bone loss with weight loss? with Dr. Kristen Beavers

03/11/25 • 33 min

Ask Dr. Mia: Answers For Dementia Caregiving

In this episode, Dr. Mia and Dr. Kristin Beavers discuss the relationship between weight loss and bone health, emphasizing the importance of exercise, nutrition, and monitoring bone density through DEXA scans. They explore the impact of new diabetes medications GLP-1 inhibitors (such as ozempic, wegovy) on bone health and provide practical tips for maintaining bone density, particularly in older adults.

Kristen M. Beavers, PhD, MPH, RD, is a Professor of Internal Medicine, Section on Gerontology and Geriatric Medicine and an Associate Director of the Sticht Center for Healthy Aging and Alzheimer’s Prevention at Wake Forest University School of Medicine. She received her BS from Cornell University in Human Biology, Health, and Society; MPH and RD from The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in
Nutrition; and PhD from Baylor University in Exercise, Nutrition, and Preventive Health. Dr. Beavers’ academic and professional interests lie in the study of nutrition and exercise as interdisciplinary sciences, specifically as they relate to prevention and etiology of chronic disease and disability. She has been continuously funded by the NIH for the past decade and has developed a strong research program focused on mitigating loss of bone mass and strength in persons undergoing intentional weight loss, with three NIH-funded clinical trials underway.

Takeaways

Weight loss can lead to bone loss, especially with caloric restriction.
DEXA scans are crucial for assessing bone density and osteoporosis risk.
Calcium and vitamin D are essential for bone health, especially during weight loss.
Protein intake should be increased to help preserve bone and muscle during weight loss.
Weight-bearing exercises are important for maintaining bone density.
New diabetes medications GLP-1 inhibitors may be associated with bone loss, but more research is needed.
Balance training is important to prevent falls and fractures in older adults.
Older adults should be screened for osteoporosis, especially if they have risk factors.
Maintaining adequate nutrient intake is challenging during weight loss.
Prior fractures are a significant indicator of osteoporosis risk.

Chapters

00:00
Introduction to Bone Health and Weight Loss

02:56
Understanding Bone Loss During Weight Loss

05:56
DEXA Scans: Measuring Bone Density

08:59
Osteoporosis: Risk Factors and Screening

11:59
Emerging Diabetes Medications and Bone Health

14:57
Exercise: Loading Bones to Prevent Loss

17:57
Nutrition: Key Nutrients for Bone Health

20:59
Practical Tips for Maintaining Bone Density

23:57
Conclusion: Summary of Key Takeaways

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Transcripts on www.miayangmd.com. Transcripts are automatically generated and may contain minor inaccuracies.
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Opinions expressed are exclusive of Dr. Mia Yang and not reflective of her or guest speaker's employers or funders.

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Takeaways

Weight loss can lead to bone loss, especially with caloric restriction.
DEXA scans are crucial for assessing bone density and osteoporosis risk.
Calcium and vitamin D are essential for bone health, especially during weight loss.
Protein intake should be increased to help preserve bone and muscle during weight loss.
Weight-bearing exercises are important for maintaining bone density.
New diabetes medications GLP-1 inhibitors may be associated with bone loss, but more research is needed.
Balance training is important to prevent falls and fractures in older adults.
Older adults should be screened for osteoporosis, especially if they have risk factors.
Maintaining adequate nutrient intake is challenging during weight loss.
Prior fractures are a significant indicator of osteoporosis risk.

Chapters

00:00
Introduction to Bone Health and Weight Loss

02:56
Understanding Bone Loss During Weight Loss

05:56
DEXA Scans: Measuring Bone Density

08:59
Osteoporosis: Risk Factors and Screening

11:59
Emerging Diabetes Medications and Bone Health

14:57
Exercise: Loading Bones to Prevent Loss

17:57
Nutrition: Key Nutrients for Bone Health

20:59
Practical Tips for Maintaining Bone Density

23:57
Conclusion: Summary of Key Takeaways

Support the show

Previous Episode

Memory Care move with Josh Marquess - Real Talk series

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In this episode of Ask Dr. Mia, host Dr. Mia Yang speaks with Josh Marquess about his family's journey in transitioning his grandmother with Alzheimer's into a memory care facility. They discuss the special bond Josh has with his grandparents, the early signs of Alzheimer's, the emotional challenges of witnessing the progression of the disease, and the difficult decision-making process regarding care options. Josh shares insights on the benefits of memory care, the importance of family support, and the positive aspects of change in caregiving situations.

Takeaways

The bond with grandparents can be profound and impactful.
Early signs of Alzheimer's can manifest in confusion and anxiety.
Recognizing the progression of Alzheimer's is crucial for family members.
The decision to move a loved one to memory care is often difficult but necessary.
In-home care can be a viable option for early stages of Alzheimer's.
Memory care facilities offer specialized support and activities for residents.
Long-term care insurance can alleviate some financial burdens of memory care.
Understanding the differences between assisted living and memory care is essential.
Positive experiences can still be had in memory care settings.
Reframing the narrative around caregiving can lead to a more positive outlook.

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Next Episode

Forget to take meds? Pharmacist's tips with Molly Hinely, PharmD

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Pharmacist Molly Hinely talks about how to help those who might forget to take meds with Dr. Mia.

Good vs bad medications for memory
Right use of technology in helping to remember meds
Potential benefits and risks of various supplements.

Molly Hinely, PharmD, BCPS is the manager for the Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist Health pharmacy population health team located in Winston Salem, NC. She leads a pharmacy team who supports the organization’s transitions of care and value-based care programs in collaboration with nurse navigators, social workers, and community health workers. She also is the residency program director for the PGY2 Population Health Management and Data Analytics program at Wake Forest Baptist Health. Molly’s areas of interest include care transitions, post-acute care, value-based care, medication adherence, social determinants of health, progressive care models and health outcomes. She earned her Doctor of
Pharmacy degree from the University of South Carolina, completed a pharmacy practice residency at New Hanover Regional Medical Center in Wilmington, and has been in practice for 13 years.

Links: hero dispenser: https://herohealth.com/
Med Minder pill dispenser: https://medminder.com/
Live Fine med dispenser 28 days with lock https://www.livefineproduct.com/products/automatic-pill-dispenser-with-frosted-lid-and-large-display

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Keywords

pharmacy, transitions of care, medication management, community pharmacist, memory loss, supplements, geriatric care, caregiver support, medication technology, patient advocacy

Chapters
00:00 Introduction to Transitions of Care Pharmacy
02:51 Navigating Medication Management for Loved Ones
06:10 The Role of Community Pharmacists
09:06 Simplifying Medication Regimens
11:54 Technology in Medication Management
15:11 Understanding Medications That Affect Memory
20:02 Supplements and Their Impact on Memory
30:11 Advocating for Better Medication Management

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Ask Dr. Mia: Answers For Dementia Caregiving - Bone loss with weight loss? with Dr. Kristen Beavers

Transcript

00:00:48.673

Welcome to Ask Dr. Mia podcast. Today I have Dr. Kristin Beavers with me. Kristin is a colleague of mine within geriatrics department of internal medicine at Wake Forest School of Medicine. She is a professor and has gotten her PhD and a nutrition degree at Baylor University in Texas. And she actually has been here for a long time and have been doing a lot of work in the study of nutrition, exercise, mitigating loss of bone and strength training in people who undergo