When I was diagnosed with osteopenia in 2005 after my first DXA report,  I knew I wasn't interested in the script my doctor handed me. It was packaged with a ton of fear… “if you don’t take the meds your life is doomed.”   Instead I approached my diagnosis with the first-step solution: food as my medicine.

That moment catapulted me into the marrow of my own bones. It forced me to look into the inner workings of my life and make changes. I left my Wall Street career, brought a close to my 20-year marriage, and moved out of NYC after 37 years. Most importantly I became mindful of my life choices.

I returned to school to study "food as medicine" at the Institute for Integrative Nutrition®, studied with the best teachers, and traveled to the far corners of the world to explore how bone health is treated in places such as Bali, Indonesia and Chiang Mai, Thailand.

My life's focus shifted to organic nutrient-dense food, mindful living, movement, joy, laughter and my work as a Holistic Bone Coach.

How are my bones now?

The most recent DXA test was performed at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania.

The DXA technician diligently adjusted my spine, hips and forearm to align properly. Proper alignment is critical for the outcome of the DXA test.

Taking my DXA one step further, I consulted with Dr. Lani Simpson, certified clinical densitometris, (trained in reading DXA's tests) to closely examined my 10/14/18 DXA report.

 

Outcome:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Comparison DXA 2018 to 2016

**Different machines were used in 2018 and 2016. The femur neck in 2016 is my left femur; right femur in 2018.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Lani’s focus was the L1-L2 range of my spine suggesting  L3-L4 may have arthritis which would skew the results.  She advised an x-ray of my spine to confirm arthritis.

Because of this issue I may have had a possible 5% loss compared to previous versions of my DXA.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

In short, since 2005, my bones have remained strong.

I embrace the food choices, lifestyle choices and stress reduction I've made and will continue to use "food as medicine" for healthy bones.

We each have our own bone story and each bone story has it's own nuances.

If you'd like support in "feeding your bones", being lovingly held accountable, and find help in being part of a larger community, please consider joining my community:  Bones Tribe.

You can find more details HERE

 

From my bones to yours,

 

Irma

 

 

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