[{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"Article","@id":"https:\/\/betterbones.com\/osteoporosis\/podcastthe-bone-health-and-thyroid-connection\/#Article","mainEntityOfPage":"https:\/\/betterbones.com\/osteoporosis\/podcastthe-bone-health-and-thyroid-connection\/","headline":"(Podcast)The Bone Health and Thyroid Connection","name":"(Podcast)The Bone Health and Thyroid Connection","description":"Print PDF eBook Facebook Twitter Gmail LinkedIn Pinterest As featured on the Thyroid Healthy Bites Podcast with Jenny Mahar and guest Dr. Susan E. Brown, PhD Table of Contents Toggle   4 Minutes ReadWhy Bone Health Matters for Thyroid ThriversHow the Thyroid Impacts Bone HealthThe Calcium Confusion: Finding Balance Beyond Dairy20 Key Nutrients for Strong BonesMindset, […]","datePublished":"2025-10-30","dateModified":"2026-04-22","author":{"@type":"Person","@id":"https:\/\/betterbones.com\/author\/brownbetterbonesgmail-com\/#Person","name":"Dr. Susan E. Brown, PhD","url":"https:\/\/betterbones.com\/author\/brownbetterbonesgmail-com\/","identifier":72,"image":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/8e08d87bd45250c6616e1752933a6576aba077f335d97ee337a0cde5e435cbd3?s=96&d=mm&r=g","url":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/8e08d87bd45250c6616e1752933a6576aba077f335d97ee337a0cde5e435cbd3?s=96&d=mm&r=g","height":96,"width":96}},"publisher":{"@type":"Organization","name":"Center for Better Bones","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/betterbones.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/12\/Better-Bones-AMP.png","url":"https:\/\/betterbones.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/12\/Better-Bones-AMP.png","width":150,"height":60}},"image":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/betterbones.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/maxresdefault.jpg","url":"https:\/\/betterbones.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/maxresdefault.jpg","height":720,"width":1280},"url":"https:\/\/betterbones.com\/osteoporosis\/podcastthe-bone-health-and-thyroid-connection\/","video":{"@context":"http:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"VideoObject","@id":"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=EOu4n_I5nvQ#VideoObject","contentUrl":"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=EOu4n_I5nvQ","name":"Thyroid & Bone Health: Dairy-free Calcium and Strong Bones Strategies with Dr. Susan Brown","description":"Can you protect your bones without dairy? How much calcium do you really need? And how does your thyroid impact bone strength? \ud83e\uddb4\u2728\n\nIn this episode of the Thyroid-Healthy Bites Podcast, I\u2019m joined by Dr. Susan E. Brown, PhD, a medical anthropologist, clinical nutritionist, and founder of the Center for Better Bones, to explore science-backed, practical strategies for strong, resilient bones\u2014especially for thyroid patients and women in perimenopause or beyond.\n\n\ud83d\udc47 In this episode, you\u2019ll learn:\n- How much calcium women really need\u2014and when to supplement\n- Why Vitamins D, K2, and magnesium are key co-factors\n- The truth about dairy-free diets and bone health\n- How thyroid and parathyroid function influence bone health and metabolism\n- Simple lifestyle shifts that make the biggest difference\n\n\ud83d\udcda Explore Dr. Brown\u2019s Work:\n\u27a1\ufe0f Better Bones Masterclass \u2192 https:\/\/shop.betterbones.com\/pages\/courses\n\u27a1\ufe0f Free Guide to Bone Health Testing \u2192 https:\/\/betterbones.com\/testing\/whats-the-cause-of-your-osteoporosis\/\n\u27a1\ufe0f Dr. Brown's Website \u2192 https:\/\/betterbones.com\/\n\n\ud83d\udcfa Watch Next:\nhttps:\/\/youtu.be\/S79slHtLZSc?si=ocPL4bArrx8hJiq2 \nhttps:\/\/youtu.be\/K31ptRglhiU?si=SyjuxkCNOHwMa5uy \n\n\ud83d\udc9b If this episode helped you, please like, subscribe, and share it with a fellow Thyroid Thriver!\n\n\ud83d\uded2 Free Thyroid-Friendly Grocery Guide \u2192 https:\/\/www.hypothyroidchef.com\/grocery\n\n\ud83e\udd8b Learn more at https:\/\/www.hypothyroidchef.com\/\nYour go-to for thyroid-friendly recipes, resources, and support!","thumbnailUrl":["https:\/\/i.ytimg.com\/vi\/EOu4n_I5nvQ\/default.jpg","https:\/\/i.ytimg.com\/vi\/EOu4n_I5nvQ\/mqdefault.jpg","https:\/\/i.ytimg.com\/vi\/EOu4n_I5nvQ\/hqdefault.jpg","https:\/\/i.ytimg.com\/vi\/EOu4n_I5nvQ\/sddefault.jpg","https:\/\/i.ytimg.com\/vi\/EOu4n_I5nvQ\/maxresdefault.jpg"],"uploadDate":"2025-10-29T19:02:22+00:00","duration":"PT1H7M45S","embedUrl":"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/EOu4n_I5nvQ","publisher":{"@type":"Organization","@id":"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/channel\/UCovsKWiUVbDUv6DjfSEFwmQ#Organization","url":"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/channel\/UCovsKWiUVbDUv6DjfSEFwmQ","name":"Hypothyroid Chef","description":"Welcome to Hypothyroid Chef! I\u2019m Ginny Mahar, a thyroid health and cooking coach, and author of The THYROID30\u00ae Cookbook: Three 30-Day Meal Plans and 100 Delicious Recipes to Restore Your Energy and Help You Thrive (now available for preorder \ud83d\udcd5\u2728).\n\nHere you\u2019ll find weekly videos with thyroid-friendly recipes, lifestyle tips, and expert interviews \u2014 all designed to support your thyroid health journey.\n\nAbout Me: Diagnosed with hypothyroidism in 2011 and later with Hashimoto\u2019s, I struggled for years despite proper medication. Once I embraced thyroid- and autoimmune-friendly food and lifestyle practices, I finally reclaimed my health and vitality.\n\nTo help you eat well, live well, and feel well, I created The Thrivers Club \u2014 a vibrant membership community with group coaching, recipes, and wellness challenges. You\u2019ll also find me hosting the Thyroid-Healthy Bites Podcast and blogging at hypothyroidchef.com\n\nHit SUBSCRIBE, and let\u2019s thrive together! \ud83d\udc9b\ud83e\udd8b\ud83d\ude0a\n","logo":{"url":"https:\/\/yt3.ggpht.com\/GBxysZURy-kfC-OwjhtghFkW9XmZPm7RXQxcp3XsQ0pQosZOxlpC6YY0IGW0wiqVK0OTiDwg=s800-c-k-c0x00ffffff-no-rj","width":800,"height":800,"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=EOu4n_I5nvQ#VideoObject_publisher_logo_ImageObject"}},"potentialAction":{"@type":"SeekToAction","@id":"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=EOu4n_I5nvQ#VideoObject_potentialAction","target":"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=EOu4n_I5nvQ&t={seek_to_second_number}","startOffset-input":"required name=seek_to_second_number"},"interactionStatistic":[[{"@type":"InteractionCounter","@id":"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=EOu4n_I5nvQ#VideoObject_interactionStatistic_WatchAction","interactionType":{"@type":"WatchAction"},"userInteractionCount":85}],{"@type":"InteractionCounter","@id":"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=EOu4n_I5nvQ#VideoObject_interactionStatistic_LikeAction","interactionType":{"@type":"LikeAction"},"userInteractionCount":12}]},"about":["Osteoporosis"],"wordCount":832,"articleBody":" Print PDF eBook\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tFacebook\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tTwitter\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tGmail\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tLinkedIn\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tPinterest\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tAs featured on the Thyroid Healthy Bites Podcast with Jenny Mahar and guest Dr. Susan E. Brown, PhDTable of ContentsToggle     4 Minutes ReadWhy Bone Health Matters for Thyroid ThriversHow the Thyroid Impacts Bone HealthThe Calcium Confusion: Finding Balance Beyond Dairy20 Key Nutrients for Strong BonesMindset, Fear, and Bone HealthBetter Bone Health TestingPractical Takeaways for Bone-Strong LivingLearn MoreWhy Bone Health Matters for Thyroid ThriversBone health is often overlooked in the thyroid community, yet it plays a crucial role in overall vitality\u2014especially for those navigating hypothyroidism, perimenopause, or a dairy-free lifestyle. In this episode of the Thyroid Healthy Bites podcast, host Ginny Mahar welcomes Dr. Susan E. Brown, medical anthropologist, certified clinical nutritionist, and founder of the Center for Better Bones.Dr. Brown has spent decades helping women naturally rebuild bone strength through nutrition, lifestyle, and pH balance. Together, Ginny and Dr. Brown explore how to feed your bones, the truth about calcium, smarter supplementing, and the fascinating connection between thyroid function and skeletal strength.How the Thyroid Impacts Bone HealthAccording to Dr. Brown, the thyroid is one of the body\u2019s major control glands\u2014regulating how energy is produced and used. Too much thyroid hormone can accelerate bone breakdown, while too little can slow bone formation.\u201cEither an overactive thyroid or an underactive thyroid upsets the balance of bone breakdown and formation,\u201d Dr. Brown explains.Even those on thyroid medication need to monitor their levels closely. Over-supplementation of thyroid hormones, or an overly suppressed TSH, can lead to accelerated bone loss over time.The Calcium Confusion: Finding Balance Beyond DairyMany people associate calcium with bone health\u2014but Dr. Brown cautions against overdoing it. \u201cThe old 1,200 mg calcium rule is outdated,\u201d she says. \u201cToo much calcium can actually contribute to arterial calcification.\u201dInstead, she recommends aiming for around 800 mg of calcium daily (from both diet and supplements) and always balancing calcium with magnesium. For those who are dairy-free, calcium-rich plant foods such as bok choy, broccoli, sesame seeds, tahini, and leafy greens can go a long way. Still, Dr. Brown notes that \u201cmost people will need supplementation because our modern diets and soils are depleted.\u201d20 Key Nutrients for Strong BonesBeyond calcium and magnesium, Dr. Brown emphasizes the importance of 20 key bone-building nutrients\u2014including zinc, manganese, vitamin D, and vitamin K2 (MK-7 form from chickpeas). \u201cVitamin K2 keeps calcium in the bones and out of the arteries,\u201d she explains. \u201cIt\u2019s vital for both bone and heart health.\u201dShe also recommends a focus on alkalizing minerals to balance body pH, which supports bone and muscle preservation. \u201cYou gain bone and muscle together\u2014and you lose them together,\u201d she says.Mindset, Fear, and Bone HealthIn a fascinating turn, Dr. Brown discusses how emotional health directly impacts bone health. Drawing from ancient Ayurvedic wisdom, she explains that fear and negative thinking can weaken bone tissue over time.\u201cNothing holds more power over the body than thoughts held in the mind,\u201d she says. \u201cWe must be careful what we think\u2014because what we think, we become.\u201dDr. Brown encourages cultivating gratitude, connection, and spiritual awareness as part of a holistic bone health plan. \u201cIf you\u2019re not filled with wonder,\u201d she smiles, \u201cyou\u2019re not paying attention.\u201dBetter Bone Health TestingInstead of relying solely on bone density scans, Dr. Brown recommends a more comprehensive diagnostic approach. Her list of 15 key lab tests includes vitamin D, cortisol, C-reactive protein, homocysteine, and full thyroid panels. \u201cYou can\u2019t predict fracture risk from bone density alone,\u201d she says. \u201cHalf of all fractures occur in people with normal bone density.\u201dThese tests help identify hidden causes of bone loss\u2014whether hormonal, inflammatory, or nutrient-based.Practical Takeaways for Bone-Strong LivingAim for 800 mg calcium and equal magnesium daily.Include 5\u20138 cups of vegetables per day for alkalinity.Move your body daily\u2014muscle mass equals bone mass.Get tested for vitamin D, thyroid function, and inflammation.Support your emotional and spiritual well-being.As Dr. Brown reminds us, \u201cEverything we do for bone health supports the entire body. The body works as one unit.\u201dLearn MoreTo explore Dr. Brown\u2019s Better Bone Solution Masterclass or browse her science-backed supplements, visit Alkaline for Life. You can also find free guides and recipes at hypothyroidchef.com.About the AuthorDr. Susan E. Brown, PhDNew York State Certified Nutritionist & Medical Anthropologist  |  Founder, Center for Better BonesDr. Brown has dedicated more than 40 years to bone health research, clinical nutrition, and health education. She is the founder of the Center for Better Bones and the Better Bones Foundation, and author of Better Bones, Better Body \u2014 the first comprehensive guide to natural bone health. Her whole-body, alkaline-centered approach has helped thousands of women build stronger bones naturally.📖 Wikipedia📚 Amazon Author Page\u2192 Full Bio{  \"@context\": \"https:\/\/schema.org\",  \"@type\": \"Person\",  \"name\": \"Dr. Susan E. Brown\",  \"honorificSuffix\": \"PhD\",  \"jobTitle\": \"New York State Certified Nutritionist & Medical Anthropologist\",  \"description\": \"Founder of the Center for Better Bones and Better Bones Foundation. Author of Better Bones, Better Body. 40+ years of clinical nutrition and bone health research.\",  \"url\": \"https:\/\/betterbones.com\/about\/\",  \"image\": \"https:\/\/betterbones.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/DrBrown.webp\",  \"sameAs\": [    \"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Susan_E._Brown\",    \"https:\/\/www.amazon.com\/Susan-E-Brown-PhD\/e\/B001HOFHX8\/\",    \"https:\/\/betterbones.com\/about\/\"  ]}For a full explanation of bone density testing, see our guide to bone density testing and osteoporosis diagnosis."},{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"BreadcrumbList","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"Osteoporosis","item":"https:\/\/betterbones.com\/osteoporosis\/#breadcrumbitem"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"(Podcast)The Bone Health and Thyroid Connection","item":"https:\/\/betterbones.com\/osteoporosis\/podcastthe-bone-health-and-thyroid-connection\/#breadcrumbitem"}]}]