Anthea Turner opens up on her health battle with bone condition and reveals the ‘everyday changes’ she has made to her life to manage it

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As a woman who has reached the age where menopause is just around the corner, I can’t help but take note of Anthea Turner’s recent health admission. Her words resonate deeply with me, as I too am acutely aware that my bones will begin to deteriorate at an alarming rate once I reach this milestone.

Anthea Turner shares her experiences living with a bone condition, discussing the everyday adjustments she’s made to help cope effectively.

The 64-year-old TV host has been diagnosed with osteopenia, which means her bones have less density than typical for someone her age.

From my experience as a lifestyle expert, if osteopenia goes uncared for, it could progress into osteoporosis – a health issue that I’d describe as your bones losing density and strength. In simpler terms, this means your bones become less solid and more susceptible to fractures or breaks.

In her late forties, Anthea received a diagnosis of osteopenia during a regular health check-up. Previously, she was unaware of having this condition, and didn’t know that it could potentially progress into something more severe.

The Blue Peter star explained: ‘I’m not a smoker or a drinker and I’ve always had a healthy diet. 

When I received my diagnosis, I visited my general practitioner to inquire about potential treatments, but unfortunately, he informed me that there was nothing available at the moment and advised me to remain hopeful and cross my fingers for improvement.

Around forty-five or so, I found myself likely in the early stages of menopause. Yet, this wasn’t a topic of conversation back then, and my doctor hadn’t shared with me the link between menopause and bone loss.

‘Osteoporosis was just treated as an aspect of ageing, like grey hair or needing reading glasses.’

Anthea remembered bringing up her health issue in an article, which then connected her with Dr. Taher Mahmud at the London Osteoporosis Clinic. He subsequently developed a customized treatment plan for her.

As a devoted follower of my doctor’s advice, I underwent DEXA scans and precise blood tests to better understand my osteopenia. Based on the results, I began taking prescribed medications to effectively manage this condition.

She shared some helpful tips with me for improving my bone density, including weightlifting and resistance training exercises.

Obtaining a DEXA test on the NHS is doable, yet it often requires persistence and advocacy. Regrettably, these tests aren’t commonplace and are typically administered following a bone fracture.

Anthea cautioned, “My latest T-score and blood test results indicate that my health is getting better. Unfortunately, many others, especially women, are still unaware of this condition.”

A T-score obtained through a DEXA scan measures an individual’s bone density; a lower score signifies more substantial bone loss and heightened susceptibility to fractures.

It’s important for everyone to determine their T-score, just as you regularly check your blood pressure and cholesterol levels.

As a healthcare professional who has seen firsthand the impact of timely identification and treatment in saving lives, I strongly believe that the same importance should be placed on monitoring our bone health. Through my experiences, I have witnessed how early detection and intervention can significantly improve patient outcomes and prevent complications. It’s crucial that GP practices prioritize this aspect of healthcare just as they do for other critical areas. Our bones play a vital role in supporting our bodies and enabling us to live active, healthy lives. By taking simple steps to monitor and maintain bone health, we can potentially avoid painful and debilitating conditions and contribute to an overall improvement in quality of life.

In addition to the financial burden, fractures resulting from brittle bones bring disruptions and emotional strain to individuals’ lives. Therefore, it’s crucial for us to be aware of our bone health status and learn ways to enhance it.

After sharing that, she disclosed the steps she’s taken to adapt her lifestyle and prevent her condition from getting worse.

Anthea explained that consuming nutritious meals goes beyond merely watching calorie intake. It’s essential to steer clear of ultra-processed foods and instead opt for a Mediterranean eating plan rich in fruits, vegetables, dairy products, and proteins.

Although we may have a fondness for it, let’s not forget that sugar acts as an adversary within our bodies. It infiltrates all areas, including our bones, and depletes them of essential nutrients.

Based on my personal experiences and observations, I strongly believe that living to the average national life expectancy is like receiving a significant discount on the first four decades of your life. During these formative years, youthful vitality and resilience tend to shield us from numerous health issues. However, as we approach middle age and beyond, maintaining an active, unrestricted lifestyle requires deliberate effort and investment. In other words, the initial portion of our lives may come relatively cheap, but the subsequent phase calls for a more proactive approach if we wish to continue living life to the fullest.

‘All women – and men – should be doing some weight-bearing exercises. 

I used to believe that I needed to join an expensive gym to get a good workout. But now I’ve discovered that’s not true. A simple routine like doing three sets of 10 jumping jacks can be a great beginning. And when it comes to resistance training, you don’t necessarily need any equipment at all. Most exercises rely on using your own body weight for resistance.

“She shared that she adds resistance training to her daily tasks by using ankle weights and a weighted vest.”

During a woman’s most significant health transition, menopause, prioritizing good health is the key to not only surviving but also flourishing. Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) can be an excellent aid, serving as the delightful finishing touch.

To minimize the chance of getting osteoporosis, Anthea recommends being aware of what you eat and avoiding highly processed foods instead.

Instead, she has made some changes in her diet, such as replacing crisps with nuts and beginning to use supplements.

The presenter advises: Use menopause as a warning sign. Your bone density is likely to decrease significantly once you reach this stage.

Practice regularly with resistance and weight-bearing workouts to boost bone strength and manage your weight effectively.

Based on my personal experience and understanding, I strongly believe that being informed about your T-score and undergoing a DEXA scan is crucial for maintaining good health, especially as we age. I had the opportunity to go through this process myself, and it provided me with valuable insights into my bone health.

After a heartfelt reunion on This Morning in June, my sisters Anthea and Wendy shared that our mother’s passing had brought us back together.

The TV host and her 57-year-old journalist sibling discussed their collaborative work on writing children’s books during an interview on the well-known couch.

As an obsessed fan, I couldn’t help but be captivated by Anthea’s revelation during their interview about how essential their strong bond is for their successful collaboration. However, the enchanting sisters confessed that they hadn’t always shared this deep connection.

The mothers’ illness caused the siblings to reunite and set aside their disputes.

As an obsessed fan, I couldn’t help but be captivated by Cat Deeley’s thought-provoking question during the interview. She brought up an intriguing point about two remarkable women who share an unbreakable bond of friendship and sisterhood. Yet, they experienced a significant rift between them. It left me pondering, how could such a deep connection be tested to the point of a falling out? Fascinating indeed!

Host Ben Shepherd asked during today’s call-in, “What are your thoughts on mending family disputes, as our topic discusses?”

In reflection of their revived connection, Wendy mentioned, “Our mom’s illness and subsequent passing brought us closer. We rallied around each other to support our father during that difficult time.”

‘It’s really difficult because it just kind of happened.’

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2024-07-23 15:30