DR. DOUG LUCAS IS ON A MISSION TO REVERSE OSTEOPOROSIS

And Redefine Women’s Health

COURTNEY MCGEE

2025

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For most women, osteoporosis feels like an inevitable part of aging — a quiet thief of strength that creeps in undetected until a hip fractures or a spine collapses. But according to Dr. Doug Lucas, a double board-certified orthopedic surgeon turned osteoporosis specialist, that narrative is both outdated and dangerous.

“Osteoporosis is not a normal part of aging. It’s not irreversible. And it absolutely should not be the death sentence it’s become for so many,” says Lucas, founder of Optimal Human Health and star of the fast-growing YouTube channel The Dr. Doug Show: Bones, Hormones and HealthSpan.

Dr. Lucas sat down with TereZa Hakobyan-Lolli and Anthony Lolli, Editors-in-Chief of longevity and wellness platform Biohack Yourself, for an interview for the influential upcoming women’s health documentary, “sHEALed,” to exclusively share his powerful insights into the silent epidemic of osteoporosis, why women are disproportionately affected, and how his natural, science-backed approach is helping patients rebuild bone — and reclaim their health — at any age.

The sHEALed Documentary is the sister documentary to Biohack Yourself, which became a massive success after exploding on the scene in December 2024 and ignited a firestorm of interest in information focused on health and longevity. Biohack Yourself features 114 prominent and respected high-profile politicians, doctors, bestselling authors, Ph.D.s, M.D.s, scientists, chemists, inventors, biotech investors, and world-renowned academics. Stemming from the success of Biohack Yourself, TereZa Hakobyan-Lolli and Anthony Lolli have grown Biohack Yourself Media to become the number one resource for health news, publishing over 500 articles ranging from breaking news to peer reviewed content.

From Surgery to Prevention

Lucas’s journey began in the operating room, where he regularly treated fractures caused by brittle bones. But it wasn’t until he left the conventional medical model that he realized something revolutionary: osteoporosis is not only preventable — it’s often reversible.

“In the traditional system, we wait until someone breaks a bone, then prescribe a drug,” he says. “That’s not healthcare — that’s damage control.”

Motivated to offer more than just surgical fixes, Lucas founded Optimal Human Health to help patients understand why they were losing bone and how to restore it through lifestyle, nutrition, hormone balance, and cutting-edge testing.

Why Osteoporosis Hits Women Harder

Though osteoporosis can affect anyone, women are especially vulnerable. The reason? A combination of biology, hormones, and outdated screening practices.

“Most women aren’t screened until age 65 — by then, it’s often too late,” Lucas says. “Bone health is a lifespan issue. It starts in adolescence and accelerates after menopause.”

Women have naturally lower bone density than men. After menopause, the sudden drop in estrogen — a hormone critical to bone preservation — triggers rapid bone loss. With only 4% of women receiving hormone replacement therapy (HRT), most are left unprotected.

“We’re talking about a disease that affects over 10 million women in the U.S. alone. And most of them have no idea until they break something,” Lucas warns.

The “4R” Framework: A New Model for Bone Health

Lucas’s approach to osteoporosis centers around his simple but powerful “4R” framework:

Recognize the root cause of bone loss.
“Doctors prescribe calcium and vitamin D without asking why you’re losing bone. Is it hormonal? Nutritional? Lifestyle-driven?”
Blood tests and lifestyle reviews help pinpoint these answers.
Reverse the causes through personalized protocols.
This includes targeted supplementation, hormone optimization, exercise, diet, and sleep — the pillars of functional wellness.
“Bone-building is possible in your 50s, 60s, even 80s,” Lucas insists.
Retest to track progress.
“You can’t just follow someone on YouTube and hope for the best,” he says. “You need to know what’s working for your body.”
Revive your life — free from the fear of fractures.

Many women become so terrified after a diagnosis that they stop doing what they love. “I’ve had patients afraid to hug their grandkids. That’s no way to live.”

Beyond Bone Density: The Imaging Revolution

Most patients are diagnosed using a DEXA scan, a type of X-ray that measures bone density. But Lucas says this only tells half the story. “Bone quality is just as important as density. A DEXA can’t see that,” he explains.

Enter REMS (Radiofrequency Echographic Multi Spectrometry), an ultrasound-based imaging tool from Italy that measures both bone density and quality — without radiation. It’s safe for younger women, pregnant women, and those seeking early detection.

“We should be testing women at 20 to understand peak bone mass, and again around menopause,” Lucas argues. “Why wait until you’ve lost half your bone to do something?”

Hormones Matter — More Than You Think

One of Lucas’s most urgent messages is the critical role hormones play in bone health — and how badly the conventional system is failing women.

“After the 2002 Women’s Health Initiative study, doctors got scared and stopped prescribing HRT. But that study was flawed,” he says. “Now, women are paying the price.”

Estrogen, progesterone, and testosterone all contribute to bone maintenance. Without them, bone loss accelerates — sometimes by 20% or more in the first five years post-menopause. Lucas’s program uses bone turnover markers to fine-tune hormone therapy and monitor effectiveness in real time.

“It’s not enough to prescribe a patch. You need to know if it’s actually working — and your bones will tell you.”

The Truth About Calcium and Milk

Should women be pounding dairy and supplements to protect their bones? Not necessarily.

“Calcium is both overhyped and misunderstood,” Lucas says. “Yes, bones contain calcium. But if you don’t stimulate bone-building cells, calcium won’t do anything.”

His advice? Get calcium from whole food sources like dairy, leafy greens, and fish with bones. Supplement only if blood tests show a deficiency — and always in combination with other minerals and nutrients.

Why Impact Is Essential

When it comes to building bone, strength training is a must — but Lucas emphasizes it’s impact that truly matters.

“To stimulate bone growth, you need 4.2 times your body weight in force. Regular running doesn’t cut it.”

Instead, he recommends exercises like box jumps, heel drops, and osteogenic loading devices like OsteoStrong. Whole-body vibration platforms can also help — and yes, walking barefoot on hard surfaces helps too.

Redefining Aging for Women

Lucas wants to flip the script on how women view aging — from fear and frailty to strength and sovereignty.

“Bone loss doesn’t have to happen. Muscle loss doesn’t have to happen. You can build both in your 60s, 70s, even 80s. That’s the message women need to hear.”

He’s seen women go from osteoporosis diagnoses to rebuilding bone density, getting off medications, and living full, active lives again. And he’s committed to spreading that message far and wide — through his practice, his YouTube channel, and his growing Osteo Collective community.

Action Items: What Every Woman Can Do Now

Whether you’re 28 or 78, Lucas has advice you can act on today:

Get screened early: ideally with REMS, or at least a DEXA baseline by age 50.
Ask why you’re losing bone, not just what to take.
Prioritize protein, minerals, and impact exercise.
Explore hormone optimization: it’s not just about hot flashes.
Don’t wait for a fracture to take your bone health seriously.
Find a community like the Osteo Collective to stay supported and informed.

A Message of Empowerment

Dr. Lucas’s mission is clear: to educate, empower, and equip women with the tools they need to live longer, stronger, and fracture-free.

“Women are not small men. They deserve research, protocols, and care designed for them,” he says. “It’s time to stop treating osteoporosis like an inevitability — and start treating it like the preventable, reversible condition it truly is.”

Check here for information about the upcoming spring 2025 edition Biohack Yourself Magazine, where the team at Biohack Yourself Media dives deeper into their insights on biohacking, longevity and cutting-edge wellness strategies. Biohack Yourself Magazine is the first peer-reviewed longevity publication with international distribution across the U.S. and Canada, bringing science-backed health optimization, functional medicine and performance-driven breakthroughs to a broader audience. Pick up a copy at major retailers, including Barber & Noble, Books-A-Million, Publix, Kroger, Indigo/Chapters, and select fitness gyms and pharmacies.