Another reason to love your bones

There’s much more to our skeleton than supporting our bodies

The collection of bones that make up our body keep us mobile and provide support for our frame, but recent research has found that they also influence blood sugar levels. Scientists have discovered that the human skeleton has a “metabolism” of its own – some bone cells form new bone, while others reabsorb it. This leads to a new skeleton about every 10 years – though it can also cause diseases such as osteoporosis when the reabsorption is too aggressive. Bone cells use sugar as part of this process, and Belgian and French researchers conducting an animal study found that when bone cells “consumed” too much sugar, glucose levels in the blood dropped. Low blood sugar can lead to fatigue and be dangerous for people with type 1 diabetes. Researchers hope these findings contribute to future therapies for conditions such as osteoporosis and diabetes.

Another reason to love your bones

Your bones might help you lose weight. That’s a new discovery by researchers from Sweden’s Sahlgrenska Academy, who conducted a series of tests focusing on skeletons and obesity. They found a mechanism through which our bodies track and moderate weight. They linked this system to a type of cell in bone tissue that activates when it detects additional pressure on weight bearing bones; then it sends a signal to the brain to eat less. Another reason why staying active is an important part of weight control.