Many of these conditions themselves can weaken bones over time due to inflammation, Dr. Templeton adds. And with IBD that includes Crohn’s and ulcerative colitisthe intestinal tract may not absorb nutrients like calcium and vitamin D properly, he says, which can negatively affect bone health in the long run.
5. You have liver or kidney disease.
Dr. Templeton notes that any of these diseases are a recipe for low bone mass at some point in life, as they can disrupt the balance of key vitamins and minerals in the body. Both can affect vitamin D metabolism, minimizing the absorption of calcium from food. If your kidneys are damaged, they cannot filter out phosphorus properly, depriving your blood of calcium; and if your liver is diseased, you won’t be able to pump out enough of the insulin-like growth factor needed for bone formation.
6. You have a history of RED-S or an eating disorder.
“RED-S, or relative energy deficiency in sports, is a condition that occurs more often in female athletes and occurs when we do not take in enough calories to balance the amount expended during exercise,” says Dr. Templeton. The result is typically a very low body weight, similar to what can happen to some people with eating disorders — and in both cases, your bones can bear the brunt, she says.
7. You have recently lost a significant amount of weight.
Any form of significant or rapid weight loss (whether due to dietary changes, GLP-1 medication, or gastric bypass surgery) can affect bone health. “Research suggests that we lose about 1-2% of our bone mass for every 10% of body weight loss,” says Dr. Templeton. In general, weight loss means less stress is placed on the bones, which reduces the stimulus for new bone formation.
