Anthea Turner is using her voice to call for immediate action to help more women avoid debilitating osteoporosis
Television personality Anthea Turner is using her voice to call for immediate action to help more women avoid debilitating osteoporosis – a bone-thinning condition that disproportionately affects women compared with men.
Nearly 4 million people in the UK are recorded as having osteoporosis 78.3% of those women and the effects can be devastating.
But osteoporosis is avoidable and with the right advice and care reversible.
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Anthea has been diagnosed with osteopenia, a less serious condition that can lead to Osteoporosis. As a result of her personal experience, she has partnered with top Consultant Rheumatologist Dr Taher Mahmud and his London Osteoporosis Clinic to share her experiences and lobby for greater awareness which will include a national screening programme and advice on ways to avoid the condition.
Dr Mahmud and Anthea stress that osteoporosis could be eradicated if people were given the right advice and access to services to identify if they’re at risk.
Anthea’s condition was diagnosed during routine health screening prior to filming for a television show. Prior to that she had no idea that she had osteopenia, or that it could become much more serious, she had no signs of the condition whatsoever.
“After my condition came to light, I remember making an appointment with my GP the best he could offer was some calcium supplements and general health lifestyle advice such as, don’t smoke, don’t drink too much, eat healthily. I’m not a smoker or a drinker and I thought always had a healthy approach to eating. I asked if anything could be done, and he said no just keep my fingers crossed it didn’t get any worse. I was in my late 40’s probably peri menopause but back then no one talked about it and my doctor never mentioned the corelation between the menopause and bone thinning. Osteoporosis was just treated as an aspect of aging like grey hair or needing reading glasses. So off I went on my own amateur journey but as I was otherwise relatively healthy it didn’t seem pressing or overly important. There’s only so much you can worry about and as there was a lot of chaos in my life at the time, so I think I boxed it off. But looking back as the flag was up why wasn’t there an NHS programme to say, this woman is in danger of Osteoporosis so let’s keep her in check because if we don’t, she’ll cost us more in the long run?
Everything I’ve achieved to date is largely by my own research and insistence. It is possible to obtain a DEXA test on the NHS but only if you knock on doors and insist. sadly, they are not routine and tend to be done after a fracture possibly in your 50’s when there’s a suspicion of osteoporosis.
There are times when being in the public eye does me great favours. I had mentioned my osteopenia in a health article this was picked up by Gary Rhodes owner of Bone Strong Leeds who in turn introduced me to Dr Mahmud. This was my lucky day. Tater Mahmud is nicknamed ‘The Bone God’ and runs The London Osteoporosis Clinic which helps patients manage and in most cases if they put the effort in, reverse their osteoporosis. It obviously includes a DEXA Scan to measure bone density and determine a persons’ T- score, precision blood tests, and essential medications which combine to create an holistic approach to osteoporosis management and reversal. The programme also includes guidance about weight bearing and resistance exercise, dietary and lifestyle support.
What is your T Score?
A DEXA scan produces a number called a T-score which indicates the level of a person’s bone density. The lower the T-sore the more severe the bone loss and the greater the risk of fractures. A diagnosis of osteoporosis is made when the T-score is -2.5 or lower.
Anthea’s most recent T-score and blood tests [include details here] show that her condition is improving, but she is concerned for the millions of women in the dark about the threat to their bones.
Anthea urges “Everyone should find out their T-score - and that’s not how many cups of tea you drink a day! In the same way you may be knowable about your blood pressure and cholesterol level you should track your bone density.” She adds: “This type of screening, advice and treatment should be available on the NHS as should the relevant bio markers be added to routine blood tests which we’ve all have at some point through our NHS Doctors.
Research tells us that osteoporotic fractures cost the NHS around £2.5 billion every year, not to mention the disruption and emotional cost to people’s lives.
So what can we do to help ourselves? I know this sounds boring but like everything good health pays dividends and eating healthily isn’t just about calories, it’s about eating the right foods – avoiding ultra-processed foods, adopting a Mediterranean diet, with plenty of fruit and vegetables, calcium-rich food, and proteins. As much as we love the stuff never forget sugar is our enemy it attacks every part of our body including our bones it robs them of vital nutrients.
Bones are like your body’s bank.
Think of your bones as your bodies bank…if its mineral deficient in other areas it will go looking for what it needs and make withdrawals from your skeleton so if you’re not making enough deposits your bones become weakened.
An analogy which I keep in my had is: if you live to the national average the first 40 years are on the house, youth fix’s most ills but the next 40, if you want to live an active unrestricted life, you need to put some effort in. Who wants to spend their latter years hunched over a stick because your bones are weak and compromised in just about every aspect of your life? And when it comes to a woman’s biggest health wakeup call ever The Menopause good health is still the best way to get through it and thrive. HRT is a wonderful drug but it’s the cherry on the cake sitting on the sofa watching Netflix eating Pringles is not the answer (and no, I can’t eat one Pringle, I eat the tube, so won’t have them in the house)
“All women - and men - should be doing some weight-bearing exercises. I am naturally slim, but was misguided for years, because I didn’t put on weight after devouring a Krispy Kreme doughnut. So, I’d happily eat them not thinking of the damage that circular piece of rubbish was doing to my insides. You can’t run off a bad diet says a cardiologist friend of mine says. You don’t need to find an expensive gym, something as simple as three sets of 10-star jumps is a good start and resistance exercises are largely about using your own body weight to do the job. I use ankle weights and a weight vest so I can multitask resistance into my daily chores. Since Covid we are so used to seeing people working out on their own in parks etc no one batts an eyelid.
And let’s not forget vanity, who wants to shrink? Not only in hight but in your facial bone structure and neck? Our aging necks are not all to do with saggy skin, they are sometimes to do with the shortening on the neck look at old pictures of yourself and see.
National screening campaign could avoid 36 preventable deaths a day and save NHS £6,849,315 a day!
Anthea concludes “I am campaigning for a national screening programme to be introduced in the same way it now normal to be checked for breast or bowel cancer. We need screening because it is costing the NHS £2.5 billion a year - that’s £6,849,315 a day - to treat people with a condition which is entirely preventable. Think of the precious resources saved, pain avoided and deaths prevented.”
Dr Mahmud agrees, underlining the breadth of the problem in the UK. “Every year, there are over 500,000 osteoporosis-related fractures, and every month, 1,100 deaths occur following a hip fracture. That’s 36 preventable deaths a day. The impact of osteoporosis can be devastating, but this health condition is treatable and preventable,” he explains, adding: “Osteoporosis happens when bones become gradually more fragile. Often, people wait until they’ve experienced a fracture to seek help and by then they have the condition. Understanding your health risk, seeking early advice, and initiating treatment can make all the difference.”
Preventing osteoporosis
Dr Mahmud’s advice for reducing the risk of osteopenia and osteoporosis is to take a multi-faceted preventive approach, which in turn should reduce the need for medication.
“Prevention is indeed the best course of action,” says Dr Mahmud. “Regular weight-bearing and muscle-strengthening exercises, a diet rich in calcium and vitamin D, and maintaining a healthy body weight are crucial steps. If your osteoporosis is linked to a specific medication, for instance, your doctor may adjust your dosage or suggest an alternative. If lifestyle factors are involved, you may be advised to cut back on alcohol, stop smoking, or change your diet.
“With the correct treatment, osteoporosis outcomes can be remarkably improved. We have seen gratifying results, including improvements in bone density and even reversal of osteoporosis in many cases. The overarching goal of managing osteoporosis is to reverse bone weakness and prevent future fractures.
It’s crucial to understand your risk of developing osteoporosis. Anyone can develop osteoporosis, but these factors can increase risk. Early detection of risk factors can allow for interventions to be put in place before substantial bone loss occurs.
At the London Osteoporosis Clinic we have a comprehensive treatment plan for each of our patients and track the plan's progress with numerous touch points to help them fully recover. We regularly see patients being offered treatment without full assessments and being asked to return in 5 years!”
“We advocate for a paradigm shift in osteoporosis diagnosis and care including accurate screening and effective management with a range of holistic treatments. Our aspiration is to reverse osteoporosis rather than manage the decline in bone strength over time.
Top Tips
Anthea’s tips based on her mission to reverse her own risk of osteoporosis:
Know what you are putting in your mouth - avoid ultra-processed foods and ask is this going to nourish me or hurt me?
Eat clean - we all know the difference between a banana and a biscuit and need to make a decision - Is it helping me or harming me? Ginger biscuits may be good for the soul but not your health.
Cut out the sugar - sugar is a destroyer, it will not only damage your bones, but your teeth, hair and skin.
Make food swaps - Switch crisps for nuts and a sugary confection for a square or two of dark chocolate. I used to hate the stuff now cant eat milk its sickly.
Resist the temptation - don’t pick up unhealthy snacks when you fill up with petrol or supermarket shop, keep a bag of nuts and water with you to keep you going.
Not all supplements are the same and you need more than one - Make sure you take a good quality vitamin D with good absorption recommended by professionals you trust.
Make menopause your wakeup call - Your bone density will diminish rapidly when you reach this milestone.
Keep your weight in check - You can’t run off a bad diet.
Work at it - If you want good health you need to put in the effort. That means undertaking resistance and weight bearing exercise.
Know your T-score - find out your bone density levels by having a DEXA scan you can get these on the NHS so ask and then make sure you get a follow up appointment for an interpretation.
Dr Mahmud tips to prevent and even reverse osteoporosis:
Calcium and vitamin D are essential to preventing osteoporosis and other related conditions, to promote bone health and growth.
Fruit and vegetables are beneficial not only to your bones, but your body in general.
Exercise makes bones stronger; just two and a half hours a week will make all the difference to bone density.
Don’t think it’s too late. Osteoporosis prevention and bone health can be improved at any age. If you’re concerned consult your GP or healthcare provider for advice on how to improve your bone health.
A bone density test will either put your mind at rest or tell you if you need to take further action. Ask your healthcare provider where and when you can take a bone density test.
For more information, visit: www.londonosteoporosisclinic.com/