The future of bone health

Endocrinologist Joy Wu says that osteoporosis can affect more than half of women and a quarter of men over 50 – often without symptoms until a fracture changes everything, leading to a loss of mobility and independence. Wu explains why bones weaken with age and how to strengthen them through exercise and smart medicine. Her lab is exploring innovative drugs and turning skin cells into new bone-forming osteoblasts. We’re delving into the great mystery of building new bone and making old bones stronger, Wu tells host Russ Altman on this episode of Stanford Engineering’s The Future of Everything podcast.

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Episode Reference Links:

• Stanford Profile: Joy Wu

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Chapters:

(00:00:00) Introduction

Russ Altman introduces guest Joy Wu, a professor of endocrinology at Stanford University.

(00:03:06) Path into Bone Research

Joy shares her path from endocrinology training to studying bone biology.

(00:04:10) Calcium and Vitamin D in Bone Health

How these nutrients build strong bones and prevent fractures.

(00:05:13) Why Bones Heal Themselves

Why bones can regenerate so effectively compared to other tissues.

(00:06:26) Can We Feel Our Bones?

The mystery of weather-related aches at old fracture sites.

(00:07:23) Understanding Osteoporosis

The prevalence of osteoporosis in the elderly, especially in women.

(00:08:34) Diagnosing Osteoporosis

Why osteoporosis often goes undetected until fractures appear.

(00:09:36) Risk Factors Beyond Aging

The risk factors outside of aging that can lead to osteoporosis.

(00:10:48) Steroids, Exercise, and Bone Health

The impact of systemic steroids and exercise on bone health.

(00:12:40) Height Loss and Spine Fractures

How shrinking height in older adults can signal vertebral fractures.

(00:14:46) Cancer and Bone Health

How cancers spread to bone and how therapies affect bone health.

(00:17:09) Medications for Osteoporosis

The complexities of using certain medications in cancer patients with bone loss.

(00:20:10) Hormones and Bone Growth

Using SERMs to protect bone while reducing breast cancer risk.

(00:21:45) Stem Cells and Building Bone

Research on reprogramming skin cells into bone-forming osteoblasts.

(00:23:31) Why Treatments Plateau

Why bone-building drugs stop working after two years.

(00:24:49) Challenges in Bone Regeneration

The potential of Wnt signalling and stem cells in lasting bone regeneration.

(00:28:09) Validating Osteoblasts in the Lab

Testing whether reprogrammed cells behave like natural osteoblasts.

(00:29:11) Future Outlook for Bone Biology

The limits of bone cell replication and what it means for future therapies.

(00:30:10) Advice for Strong Bones

Practical do’s and don’ts for optimizing bone health.

(00:32:41) Conclusion

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