https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Bone_regeneration_-_Bone_remodeling_cycle_III_-_Osteoclasts_Monocytes_Pre-osteoblasts_etc_--_Smart-Servier_(cropped).jpg, Laboratoires Servier, CC BY-SA 3.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0>, via Wikimedia Commons

Deborah Tosline wrote and published “Skin Remodeling DIY: An Introduction to the Underground World of Do-It-Yourself Skincare” in 2015. Her approach to skin care is based on a scientific background, love of research and over 40 years of DIY skincare experience.

Bones are the foundation of our face and body and combined with soft tissue provide the power to move us through life. Buried deep beneath an intricate matrix of skin, fascia, blood vessels, muscles and more our hidden bones labor to meet our demands. Out of sight, out of mind, it’s easy to forget about them. The US mainstream lifestyle does not promote bone health. Over time, bones lose density and strength which fundamentally changes health outcomes and physical appearance.

Loss of facial bone volume changes your look. Facial skin and muscles drape over facial bones. As bones atrophy and lose their full form the overlying skin folds and wrinkles to fit the shrinking bones.

Facial bones evolve and respond to lifestyle changes similar to the bones of the body. Bones are not inert, they continually change. Bone remodeling occurs constantly to maintain the body’s calcium and phosphorous balance. Remodeling consists of resorption of old or damaged bone and building of new bone. Osteoclasts are associated with bone resorption and osteoblasts are responsible for bone building. It’s important to keep these balanced or at a minimum promote osteoblasts for building. Osteoclasts and osteoblasts are influenced by hormone messaging signals.

When bone resorption exceeds bone rebuilding, bone loss occurs.

Wolff's Law states that when a mechanical load is applied to bones, they adapt by strengthening the interior soft spongy bone which later converts to a strong exterior cortical bone layer. A decrease in bone stress results in weakened bones.

Bone is constantly resorbing into our biochemical system and rebuilding.

Osteoporosis impacts the entire bony architecture and is due to low bone density which weakens bones resulting in a higher potential for fractures.

Because we do not see our bones, we may not support them sufficiently. You won’t know that you’ve lost bone strength until weak bones begin to fracture easily. Osteoporosis is known as a “silent disease”.

Facial volume loss is apparent but may not be recognized as such. Why do our looks change over time? It’s predominantly due to facial bone atrophy. To maintain and strengthen facial bones and all of your bones, its optimal to integrate as many bone support practices into your routine as possible.

Bone health maintenance recommendations include:

don’t smoke
limit alcohol
practice weight bearing and resistance exercises
maintain body weight
maintain excellent nutrition
supplement with nutraceuticals
balance hormones – critical!
if necessary, there are bone building medications

This article provides general information on nutrition and nutraceuticals reported to promote and maintain bone health. It’s vital to maintain a balanced biochemistry to support the body’s molecular processes that rebuild bone.

When more bone is resorbed than is built, bones weaken. It’s challenging to apply physical forces and resistance muscle training to facial bones but it is doable. I’ve published a couple of articles on facial bone strengthening practices here and here.

The bottom line is that in order for the body to perform bone remodeling functions, nutrition and body chemistry should be optimized.

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Nutrition for Bone Health

Overall, it’s optimum to consume a diet low in sugar and salt and loaded with fresh, minimally processed whole grains, fruits, vegetables and calcium rich foods. Limit caffeine and carbonated drinks.

Caffeine leaches calcium from bones. Consuming 100 milligrams of coffee results in a 6 milligram calcium loss.
Tea contains caffeine but has been shown to support bone density due to plant compounds that protect bone.
Protein including whey or plant protein increases bone density. Bones are 50% protein and require amino acids for maintenance.
Soft cheese and dairy products contain calcium, select those that are fortified with vitamin D.
Dark chocolate, greater than 70% cocoa to reduce sugar content, is a source of magnesium.
Fatty fish is a good source of vitamin D.
Green leafy vegetables like spinach, broccoli, kale and collard greens contain calcium and magnesium.
Nuts and seeds contain calcium, magnesium, zinc and other essential nutrients.
Whole-grains include nutrients magnesium and phosphorous.
Soy with isoflavones genistein and daidzein protect bone strength. For a soy heavy diet supplement daily with 1,000 milligrams of calcium.
Reduce sugar - sugar increases excretion the of calcium and magnesium; lowers vitamin D which reduces absorption of calcium. Sugar reduces osteoblasts decreasing bone building and increases osteoclasts and bone resorption/loss.

https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Health_Supplements_-_Nutraceuticals_-_50191152323.jpg, formulatehealth, CC BY 2.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0>, via Wikimedia Commons

Nutraceuticals for Bone Health

To protect those beautiful bones, supplementation has been shown to augment a healthy diet and to help maintain and promote bone health. Nutraceuticals to consider include:

Calcium – a deficiency can impact bone mineral density.
Magnesium – works with phosphorous to regulate calcium absorption.
Vitamin D3 – a deficiency in this beneficial vitamin can negatively impact bone mineral density.
Vitamin E – all isomers and particularly tocotrienols support bone health.
Vitamin K – a deficiency is associated with reduced bone density. K1 and especially K2 (MK-4 & MK-7) are important in bone metabolism. Vitamin K has been shown to increase bone mineral density and have a protective effect on bone health. The mechanism is unknown.
L-lysine, an essential amino acid, aids in calcium absorption, promotes bone growth, and improves connective tissue strength.
Omega-3s EPA and DHA reduce inflammation which protects bones and promotes increased bone mass and calcium absorption, retention, and deposition. EPA/DHA supports osteoblasts to promote bone-building and reduces osteoclasts to reduce resorption.

After a long history of Do-It-Yourself (DIY) skin care using special serums, lotions and creams, facial exercises and tools/devices, I now consistently include facial bone support protocols. No serum or cream will build bone so I support building facial bone mass and promoting strong bones. I enjoy following a healthy lifestyle so that is natural for me. And then there are the nutraceuticals. With costs increasing everywhere, purchasing nutraceuticals can be a burden. I consider the purchase to be insurance for my future health and focus my resources on personal maintenance as much as possible.

When our biochemistry is optimal and balanced our body and mind can easily perform normal functions with better outcomes. Take care of your bones now to avoid bone density loss in the not-so-distant future. It’s scary to think of the consequences of weak breakable bones. Focus on maintaining dense strong bones and keeping your facial profile strong.

Is the future of facial beauty facial bone remodeling?

If you need more information, go to the library, search the Internet, read my past Blog articles, or it would be an honor to me if you purchased my book. Thank you!

Take good care of yourselves!

XO Deborah

This article is intended to be used as general information only and is in no way intended to replace medical advice, be used as a medical treatment program, diagnosis, or cure of any disease or medical condition. There are no warranties, expressed or implied, regarding the effectiveness of the practices described in this article. Products or substances discussed herein are for educational purposes only and are not intended as recommendations of the author.