In this powerful and eye-opening episode, I sit down with Dr. Susan Brown, medical anthropologist, clinical nutritionist, and founder of Better Bones, to unravel the truth behind modern osteoporosis care. We explore how the DEXA scan became the gold standard—despite its limitations—and why so many women are being mislabeled as “high risk” when the full picture of bone strength has never been evaluated.

Dr. Brown brings a rare combination of science, global anthropology, and decades of clinical research to explain why bone density is not the only indicator of fracture risk, why stress is one of the biggest bone disruptors, and how minerals, digestion, muscle strength, and lifestyle patterns create a much more accurate blueprint of true bone health.

If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed, confused, or frightened by a diagnosis, this episode will help you breathe again—and understand your bones in an entirely new way.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode

• Why DEXA scans are often misleading, especially for petite women
• The history of osteoporosis and how its definition was created
• The 20 essential nutrients your bones require daily
• Why chronic stress and cortisol silently dissolve bone
• How muscle strength reflects bone strength
• The surprising accuracy of ancient healing systems like Ayurveda
• Why heavy lifting is not the only path to stronger bones
• How digestion, mineral balance, and oxidative stress influence bone remodeling
• How to build confidence and reduce fear after an osteoporosis diagnosis
  
  

Action Steps You Can Take Today

1. Reduce stress daily through breathing, meditation, nature walks, or grounding
2. Support digestion to improve nutrient absorption
3. Add bone-supportive nutrients, including magnesium, vitamin K2, trace minerals, and potassium-rich foods
4. Build muscle gradually using movements that feel safe and functional
5. Shift toward alkaline-leaning eating patterns with more fruits and vegetables
6. Get your Vitamin D and hormone levels checked
7. Learn the “witness practice” to observe thoughts instead of internalizing fear
8. Explore your medical osteoporosis workup to uncover underlying causes
   
   

Resources & Links

• Better Bones Website: https://betterbones.com
• Healthy Gut, Healthy Bones Program
• Stronger Bones Lifestyle Programs & Resources
  
  

Debi’s Takeaway

You are so much more than a T-score. Your bones are alive, responsive, adaptable, and deeply influenced by how you eat, move, think, and live. Don’t let fear of a diagnosis shape the rest of your life. When you nourish your body, calm your nervous system, and support your digestion and mineral balance, your bones can—and will—respond. Healing is possible.

The holidays are meant for joy, connection, and celebration — but for many women managing bone health issues with osteoporosis or osteopenia, this season can feel stressful and full of temptation. In this solo episode, Debi shares her Holiday Survival Guide for Osteoporosis, offering empowering tips to help you enjoy the festivities without compromising your bone health.

You’ll learn how to make smart food swaps, manage stress, and keep inflammation down while still indulging in the flavors and fun of the holidays.

💡 What You’ll Learn in This Episode

• The most common holiday bone health pitfalls and how to avoid them
• How to enjoy festive foods without triggering inflammation or bone loss
• Simple ways to reduce stress hormones that weaken bones
• Tips for staying hydrated and energized when celebrations get busy
• How to honor your body’s limits and listen to your inner wisdom during the season

🧘‍♀️ Action Steps

1. Plan ahead: Bring a bone-healthy dish to gatherings or swap out sugary treats for nutrient-dense options.
   
   
2. Stay mindful: Enjoy your favorite foods slowly, savoring every bite — awareness reduces overindulgence.
   
   
3. Hydrate and move: Drink water throughout the day and take short walks to keep your circulation and energy flowing.
   
   
4. Prioritize rest: Sleep is when your body regenerates bone tissue — don’t let late nights steal your recovery time.
   
   
5. Reset your mindset: One indulgent meal won’t break your progress; get back to your healthy habits the next day.
   
   

🔗 Resources and Links

• 🌿 Join the Healthy Gut, Healthy Bones Program: debirobinson.com/healthy-gut-healthy-bones
  
  
• 💌 Work with Debi: Book a consultation
  
  
• 🦴 Follow on Instagram: @debirobinsonwellness
  
  

💭 Debi’s Takeaway

“The holidays shouldn’t be about restriction — they’re about connection. When you tune into your body, nourish it with intention, and honor its limits, you can enjoy every moment and keep your bones strong. This season, give yourself the gift of mindful celebration.”

Could fasting be one of the most overlooked tools for improving bone health, supporting osteoporosis and osteopenia, and strengthening your metabolism?

In this episode, functional bone health expert Debi Robinson sits down with Registered Dietitian Ashley Bizzell to explore how intermittent fasting and autophagy support not only metabolic healing but also healthier, stronger bones.

Ashley shares her path from traditional nutrition roles to functional metabolic medicine, where she now helps women reduce inflammation, balance hormones, improve insulin sensitivity, and support healthier aging.

Together, Debi and Ashley break down how fasting influences bone density, why cellular renewal is essential for osteoporosis and osteopenia, and how women can safely integrate fasting into a bone-supportive lifestyle.

They also dive into the Fasting Mimicking Diet developed by Dr. Valter Longo, explaining how it offers the benefits of fasting without full deprivation while supporting energy, gut health, and bone strength.

• The difference between fasting, starvation, and metabolic healing for women with osteoporosis or osteopenia
• How fasting activates autophagy and supports cellular repair that strengthens bones
• The connection between metabolism, insulin resistance, inflammation, and bone loss
• Why hormonal balance is essential for maintaining and improving bone density
• How the Fasting Mimicking Diet (FMD) works and why it can be a safe strategy for bone health
• The role of hydration, nutrient density, and gut health during fasting for optimal bone support

• Start small: Begin with a gentle 12–14 hour overnight fast to support metabolic repair and bone renewal.
• Focus on hydration: Keep water and herbal teas flowing to support your metabolism, gut, and bones.
• Nourish wisely: Choose whole, nutrient-dense foods with plenty of healthy fats and minerals your bones need.
• Support your gut: A healthy microbiome improves nutrient absorption and helps strengthen bones from the inside out.
• Explore FMD: Consider guided fasting options like the Fasting Mimicking Diet to support cellular health and bone density.

• Learn about the Fasting Mimicking Diet (ProLon) → prolonlife.com
• Explore Elra Health and L-Nutra Health → lnutrahealth.com
• Listen to more episodes → Stronger Bones Lifestyle Podcast
• Build strength from within → Healthy Gut, Healthy Bones Program
• Follow Debi on Instagram → @debi_robinson_yoga

True healing is built on rhythm, rest, and renewal — not restriction.
When we give our bodies space to clean, repair, and rebalance, we support the metabolic and hormonal foundations needed for stronger bones and better aging.
Start slow, listen to your body, and let gentle fasting become a supportive tool in your osteoporosis or osteopenia healing journey.