In this episode of the Stronger Bones Lifestyle Podcast, we discuss what a DEXA scan is actually telling you about you and your bones. Today’s guest, Dr. Wendy Warner, a board-certified functional medicine practitioner and gynecologist. After 14 years of practicing conventional ObGyn care, Dr. Warner founded a collaborative holistic medical practice that provides nutritional counseling, genetic investigation and integrative functional medicine consultations.
Not all scans are created equally because different manufacturers tend to find varying results which call into question the accuracy of all DEXA scans. Dr. Warner also points out that the recommendation to get a DEXA scan every 2 years after menopause puts women at risk of high levels of radiation exposure. With all this in mind, she focuses on bringing you the most effective strategies that you can implement today to naturally support your bone density and metabolism.
Stress management, diet and the appropriate bioidentical hormones can help your bones grow stronger throughout menopause. Dr. Warner details her protocol for helping patients analyze their diet and habits to restructure into a lifestyle that will optimize not just your bone health but your overall well-being because healthy bones come from a healthy mind and body.
Key Takeaways:
[2:40] What a DEXA scan actually tells you
[3:30] The difference between your risk of fracture and your rate of fracture
[5:25] FRAX score: is always reassuring versus the DEXA scan
[9:40]The initial DEXA scan scores were based off the average sized white woman
[12:00] DEXA scans are high in radiation and should not be done too frequently
[13:10] Manufacturers have varying results which questions the accuracy of all DEXA scans
[14:20] The importance of the Stress management and DHEA for your bone health
[18:00] Choosing the appropriate bioidentical hormones
[21:16] How to avoid acidic blood and PH buffering with a clean and balanced diet
[24:10] Building strong bones on a vegan or vegetarian diet
[28:20] Effectively and efficiently metabolizing and processing your hormones in menopause
[31:25] Methyl Regulators to include in your diet
[36:20] Supporting your bone density and metabolism through the food you eat
[40:20] Reversing bone loss with lifestyle changes
Where to Find Our Guest:
Memorable Quotes:
“If you really look at what a DEXA scan is telling you though, it’s telling you your risk of fracture,which is not actually the same as your rate of fracture and there’s a distinct difference there!” [3:30] - Dr. Warner
“It’s because you’ve lost testosterone from your ovaries and you have to rely on what’s coming from your adrenals, which is usually a lot less. So you lose muscle fairly quickly when you first become menopausal.” [16:40] - Dr. Warner
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