A study in mice finds that the breakdown of old bone to make way for new bone growth also helps to keep a healthy level of glucose in the blood.
A hormone called osteocalcin is released by bone and can regulate glucose levels. It switches on the production of insulin in the pancreas which in turn improves the ability of other cells to take in glucose from the blood.
This study found ostecalcin only works when bone is being broken down during its natural turnover. This could open the door for new treatments.
