Why Bone and Muscle Health are the Backbone of Healthy Aging - and why HRT isn't enough

I don’t know about you, but when I think about healthy aging, bone strength takes a front-row seat. Strong bones are what keep us active, mobile, and independent as we get older. They’re the quiet foundation behind everything from lifting groceries to traveling, exercising, and simply moving through daily life with confidence.

Yet bone and muscle health are often overlooked—until they becomes a problem. HRT is the darling of women's mid-life health at the moment. And with good reason! However the whole truth is, our hormones, nutrition, gut health, and strength training habits all play starring roles in protecting our bones, our longevity, and our independence..

As women age—especially during perimenopause and menopause—those factors matter more than ever. I recently re-read a favorite book of mine by Dr Gabriel Lyons about healthy aging and she does a great job driving home the importance of protecting and building muscle mass as well. As someone who prefers a long run or walk over lifting heavy at the gym, I have to admit I was happy for the reminder but also slightly annoyed I would have to rekindle my commitment to getting back to some weight training.

I think most of us know this, but it bears repeating. As women approach midlife, bone loss naturally accelerates as our hormone production declines. Estrogen and progesterone are key regulators of bone remodeling, helping maintain the balance between bone breakdown and bone formation. When these hormones decline during perimenopause and menopause, that balance can tip in the wrong direction—leading to decreased bone density and a higher risk of fractures. Bone loss begins silently years before we are ever diagnosed with osteoperosis, making proactive habits and strongly considering HRT for your long term health protection, essential details in the protection of your bone health.

Back to that book I was talking about...

In Forever Strong, Dr. Gabrielle Lyon reframes longevity through a powerful lens: muscle is the organ of longevity. While the book focuses heavily on muscle health, the message is inseparable from bone health. Muscle and bone work as a unit—strong muscles apply healthy stress to bones, signaling them to grow stronger. This is where lifting heavy comes in.

Resistance training isn’t optional if you want strong bones—it’s essential. Mechanical load from strength training stimulates bone formation, improves balance, and reduces fall risk. According to the philosophy in Forever Strong, maintaining lean mass as we age is one of the most protective strategies we have—not just for metabolism, but for skeletal integrity and long-term independence.

Currently, Luna is partnering with locally owned and operated East Coast Fitness to offer a mid-life training program for women. If you are curious to learn more, link here and get signed up!