The Healthy Blogger

Alcohol and marijuana for osteoporosis treatment?

It is very frustrating for the average public to make any sense of health reporting these days.  It is no wonder that people no longer listen.  It can become irresponsible reporting as well.

Just a few days ago, there was a report that marijuana may help stop osteoporosis.  The work was done in mice, of course.  But they stated that cannabis is harmful to young bones, but protective in older bones.  What’s interesting, and confusing, is that the cannabis’ interaction with the cannabis receptor activates the receptor to cause destruction, yet it prevents bone loss in older mice.  It did not reveal how it did this, but the study showed that there was less fat in bones, which is a marker of healthier bones in humans.  First of all, we cannot always equate mice and human models.  Secondly, were there confounding factors that could explain the decrease in fat in bones?  Is it safe to say that less fat in older mice bones meant protection?

Now, another report states that a study in Spain shows moderate drinking can boost bones.  The study defined moderate drinking as being up to 5 units a day; yet, experts warn that more than two drinks will harm bones.  Since we also know that each person’s ability to tolerate drinking is variable, how can we really estimate moderate drinking?  By tolerance, I do not refer to sobriety, but to liver damage.  Furthermore, it is not the alcohol, but the natural products that go into the drinks that confer the benefit.  So, shouldn’t they concentrate on studying the “phytoestrogens” rather than stating the benefits of drinking?

It is hard to say whether it’s the media or the scientists who are doing the research who are doing a disservice to the general public by reporting on such contradictory findings.  And, especially when the research involves such controversial issues.  Will they next be calling for leniency on the use of alcohol and marijuana?  Of course, those who support such “mildly illegal” drugs will hail these scientific reports as more evidence of their utility.

It will be dangerous to advocate the use of alchol and marijuana to treat osteoporosis, especially as they will increase the likelihood of falls, which is one of the biggest risks for fractures, regardless of how strong the bone is.

Beetroot juice shown to increase stamina

Yes, another one of those blog pieces about nutritious food.  A new report states that beetroot juice can increase your stamina.  Of course, this was based on a small study, but it is encouraging and means that more research will be put into it.

Though I would not be one to downplay any health benefits from natural food sources, it does make me wonder how these studies come about to begin with.  We have been hearing about so many different food links to Alzheimer’s and I remain sceptical about many of those – especially because the links are tenuous and require excessive amounts that would be nearly impossible to achieve.  However, this beetroot juice might have some real science behind it.

Beetroot juice contains nitrogen, which is believed to have benefits inside the body.  How it does this is still unknown, but it is postulated that it may be converted to nitric oxide, which decreases the body’s need for oxygen, therefore, it can do more work with less effort or stress on the body.  As a result, the stamina is increased.  Previously, it was shown that beetroot juice can lower blood pressure.  If this nitric oxide theory is correct, it may account for the lower blood pressure as well.

So, for those beet lovers, this is good news.  My father was the only one in the family who liked beets.  We all used to make fun of him.  Of course, not having eaten any beets since ages ago, I cannot even remember what it takes like or why I didn’t like it.  I suppose I could give it another try.  It wouldn’t hurt and it just might help get me through this lethargic period that is brought on by heat and humidity.