Bone density and brain health are connected by a hormone almost nobody has heard of

Gerard Karsenty's work at Columbia University identified osteocalcin — a protein secreted by osteoblasts — as a hormone that enters systemic circulation and acts on multiple distant tissues. Osteocalcin promotes insulin secretion and sensitivity, stimulates testosterone synthesis in the testes, and crosses the blood-brain barrier to promote memory formation, mood regulation, and the physiological stress response. Higher osteocalcin levels in older adults correlate with better cognitive performance.

Building Bone and Osteocalcin

• Weight-bearing and impact exercise — bone responds to mechanical loading by increasing osteoblast activity and osteocalcin secretion
• Resistance training is particularly effective for osteogenic response
• Adequate vitamin K2 (MK-7 form) — required for osteocalcin carboxylation and activation
• Calcium and vitamin D3 — the raw materials for bone mineralisation