This month’s case study: ‘Belinda’ – who had been diagnosed with osteoporosis …

Belinda’s Story:

“I decided to have a bone density scan to check for osteoporosis. I was keen to have this because I have a family history of osteoporosis and I myself have always been a low weight and experienced digestive problems like diarrhoea and bloating which I knew were risk factors.

“The bone density scan measured my ‘T Score’ which is the measurement of what my bone density is now compared to the average bone density found at an age where bone mass is at its peak (around the age of 30). A T score of –2.5 is indicative of osteoporosis and my score was –2.9.

“My consultant explained the risks associated with this high score and recommended I try a drug called Fosamax, which belongs to a group of drugs called bisphosphonates. I was told that Fosamax dramatically slows down the rate of bone loss.

“My consultant explained that this drug has to be taken with a full glass of water on an empty stomach at least 30 minutes before breakfast. I would then need to stand or sit upright for a further 30 minutes and not lie down until after eating breakfast. Just the thought of this was enough to put me off! To add to this, I had read that these types of drugs could have extreme side effects including oesophageal reactions, diarrhoea and abdominal pain, which I didn’t want to risk because of my existing digestive problems.

“At this point I decided to do some research into osteoporosis and found Dr Marilyn Glenville’s book, ‘Osteoporosis – the Silent Epidemic‘. The book gave me so much more information about the condition and I wanted to learn more and do all I could to help myself. I decided to contact the Dr Marilyn Glenville Clinic and book an appointment with one of her practitioners.

“In my first consultation they took a full medical and symptom history which enabled the practitioner to put together a tailored plan for me which encompassed dietary changes and nutritional supplements. She also recommended that I perform an Osteoporosis Bone Turnover Test which told me exactly how rapidly I was losing bone density, something that the conventional scan cannot measure. This test was a simple urine test and it was recommended that I perform one at the start of my programme and then again in three months to assess the effectiveness of the programme. My first test showed that my level of bone loss was outside the normal range, indicating that I was losing bone density too quickly.

“In spite of this, I still didn’t want to take the Fosamax and decided to implement the dietary recommendations and take the recommended supplements. Dr Glenville’s practitioner did stress that nutrition alone may not always be effective and that I should not rule out the possibility of taking a drug.

“With this knowledge I decided I wanted to put all my effort into changing my diet and taking the vitamins and minerals for the next 12 months before repeating the bone density scan with my consultant.

“Dr Glenville’s practitioner recommended I follow an 80% alkaline forming diet because too many acidic foods from meat and dairy could actually worsen my osteoporosis. I was shocked at having to avoid dairy products because my consultant was adamant that I drink a pint of milk every day to get my calcium levels up.

“Instinctively I knew this didn’t agree with me because of my digestive problems so I was happy to go without! She went through all the calcium-rich non-dairy foods like sardines, tinned salmon, dark green leafy vegetables, sesame seeds and dried apricots which I worked into my diet quite happily.

“Within three months I was already feeling the benefits of changing my diet in regards to my digestion and energy levels. I was no longer having diarrhoea or feeling bloated which was a real bonus. I repeated the bone turnover test at this point and was pleased to see that my rate of bone loss was going in the right direction – slowing down!

“A year on and my T score has reduced to –2.5 which is a significant improvement without medical intervention. I still have osteoporosis – but just on the cusp now, so my goal is to keep up the good work and get my T Score under –2.5. My consultant was pleased with the result and happy for me to continue without drug therapy until my next scan.

“Not only have I made a difference to my bone density, I also feel so well in myself; I no longer experience bouts of diarrhoea or bloating and I also have so much more energy.”

My Comments:

This is an excellent example of how important nutritional therapy can be for improving bone density. However, it is important to understand that the bigger the T Score the higher the increased risk of fracture, which is why drug therapy should not always be ruled out. And if you do have to take drugs, all the dietary recommendations and exercise should still be put into place because these can make the drug treatment more effective.

It also shows how important screening for osteoporosis is because most of the time there are no symptoms. If Belinda hadn’t taken the initiative to be screened, she would not have known she had osteoporosis and therefore not been actively supporting her bones.

In order for you to prevent or reduce the risk of osteoporosis, it is very important for you to discover the condition your bones are in now, and any potential future risk. Belinda talked about having an Osteoporosis Bone Turnover Test, which has been developed for this purpose. This urine test assesses your bone turnover by measuring biochemical markers present in the urine that are excreted as bone breaks down. This test shows a dynamic picture of bone turnover.

Studies have shown this urine test to be just as accurate as bone scanning in showing those at risk. With this test you are in control, you take the urine sample yourself and there is no exposure to potentially harmful X rays as there is with the bone scanning method.

There are effective, natural methods of preventing osteoporosis and helping with low bone density. Only when the current state of your bone health is known, can you be properly advised as to which treatment is appropriate and necessary for you. This test gives you that information.

This month’s case study: ‘Lesley’ – who was fed up with feeling lethargic, bloated and generally not well …

Lesley’s Story:

“My gynaecologist suggested that I went to one of the Dr Marilyn Glenville Clinics as I was getting irregular periods, with blood pouring out in clots but I did not want to go on the Pill. I was also generally not feeling well and thoroughly fed up with all the different symptoms I was getting.

“All of my symptoms seemed to be unconnected and it was such a long list that I just did not know what to do. I was 42 and having irregular cycles, offensive smelling urine, dry skin and hair loss, low self esteem and confidence, anxiety, massive bloating, flatulence, water retention, no energy and a slow metabolism. Not only was I struggling to lose any weight but was sweating two to three nights before my period started and waking up at night because of it which then affected my energy the next day and round and round I went in a circle.

“My doctor had previously run blood tests and they were all fine, which normally one would think is re-assuring. But to be told that nothing was wrong and still feeling awful is not very helpful. The blood tests showed that my thyroid function was absolutely fine, so I could not blame my slow metabolism on that. My iron levels which could have affected my energy and hair loss were also tested and these were normal. My doctor also re-assured me that I was not menopausal which I thought might be the case as I was getting night sweats and my glucose level was checked to rule out diabetes.

“I was asked to complete a questionnaire before coming to the consultation and this was very enlightening as it made me aware of how much I was eating and drinking of certain things. When you have a little bit of something but you have it everyday it really adds up by the end of the week.

“I also mentioned at the consultation which I had not put on the questionnaire that I get fungal infections on my toes, an irritable scalp with lumps of skin and also that I was finding it increasingly difficult to tolerate alcohol.

“Dr Glenville’s practitioner at the clinic suggested I did a stool test to check digestion, absorption, levels of good bacteria, the presence of yeasts and bacterial infections and to rule out any parasites.

“When the test results came back they showed that although my digestion and absorption were fine and I had no parasites, I had low levels of beneficial bacteria like Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium and high levels of a yeast (candida) in the gut.

“I was actually relieved to find out that something was wrong as it now meant that I could make some changes.

“I was asked to follow an anti-candida diet, which involved eliminating foods containing yeast, sugar, fermented foods, etc. and to take a course of supplements to re-colonise the gut with good bacteria and to eliminate the yeast.

“The results were amazing, within three months I had more energy and was awake quickly in the morning. A symptom I had not mentioned at the consultation was a terrible tiredness in my eyes which had miraculously gone. I had less water retention, my breasts weren’t sore leading up to my period, the night sweats had gone and the muzziness in my head (like brain fog) had lifted completely, I could actually think and concentrate. I had a lost a stone and my periods since the first consultation were regular with normal blood flow, not heavy and no clots. The fungal infection on my toes had gone and my scalp was fine.

“The most amazing thing for me was to think that one problem in the body can cause such unconnected symptoms and that by treating that problem I feel like a new woman.”

My comments:

This is a very clear example of the importance of tracking down the cause of the problem by using a simple test, rather than just treating the symptoms.

In the gut, there are some five hundred different species of microflora and as many as nine times more bacteria than there are cells in your body and there is a delicate balance of bacteria and yeasts. The yeast candida is present in the intestinal tract and in normal healthy circumstances does not cause any problems. But if it grows out of control then it can give symptoms such as food cravings (especially for sugar and bread), fatigue, a bloated stomach with excess flatulence, hormonal problems, depression and anxiety, skin problems, a ‘spaced out’ feeling or ‘brain fog’ and becoming tipsy on a very small amount of alcohol. Factors which can cause a yeast overgrowth are antibiotics, HRT, the Pill, stress, high sugar and a refined carbohydrate diet.

In the intestines, candida can become ‘mycelial’, in that it forms root-like growths that can penetrate the intestine walls, and cause the gut to ‘leak’. Small pieces of undigested food then escape into the bloodstream. This condition is known as ‘leaky gut syndrome’ and results in food allergies.

The gut is very important and we tend to only think of it in terms of digestion but it does a lot more than that. It acts as an efficient barrier to invading organisms – up to 70% of your immune system is in your gut. So it is really important to have good levels of beneficial bacteria.

The test that was suggested for Lesley is called a Digestive Stool Analysis and Parasite test.

This month’s case study: ‘Susan’ – a woman with no physical signs of osteoporosis found that she already had low bone density but still in time to take action …

Susan’s Story:

“Having read, ‘Osteoporosis the Silent Epidemic’, I decided to book an appointment with the Dr Marilyn Glenville clinic in order to get a more tailor-made programme. I attended the clinic when I had just turned 42 for an ultrasound heel scan. Although I had no physical signs of osteoporosis, I was keen to check my bone density because I suffered with amenorrhoea (absence of periods) for three years during my twenties.

“I understand now, (but I didn’t at the time), that the amenorrhoea had put me at a greater risk of developing osteoporosis because of the lack of the hormone oestrogen. Oestrogen is an important hormone in bone turnover regulation. If oestrogen is low bone breakdown can increase, which is why the risk of osteoporosis develops after the menopause and during amenorrhoea. The ultrasound scan I had measures the ‘T score’, which compares the bone density with that of the average 30 year old woman (30 is the age when peak bone mass is reached).

“My T score was –1.8, which put me into the category of osteopenia. Osteopenia is pre-condition to Osteoporosis and indicates a softening or lack of calcium in the bone. If I hadn’t taken action I would be at a higher risk of developing osteoporosis after the menopause. I decided that I wanted to improve my bone density as much as I could while still having regular periods through exercise, diet and supplementation.

“Before coming to the Dr Marilyn Glenville Clinic, I was drinking 7 cups of tea and coffee a day and missing the odd meal. My Nutritional Therapist advised me to stop the tea (as the tannin in tea binds to calcium in the foods and limits absorption) and the coffee (as this may increase the excretion of calcium and magnesium in the urine). She also told me not to miss meals and gave me advice on increasing calcium and magnesium rich foods and she also suggested alternative healthy drinks that I could try. We also discussed outdoor weight-bearing exercises (such as walking and running) to stimulate bone renewal.

“She recommend that I take some nutritional supplements, incorporating Meno Plus (multi-vitamin and mineral with good levels of calcium and magnesium), Osteo Plus (calcium, magnesium, vitamin D and boron), Vitamin C Plus and Mega EPA 1000mg (high strength fish oil).

“A year on and I have repeated the ultrasound scan that shows that my T score is now –1.5 (just osteopenic). Not only am I feeling healthier generally, my bone density has increased. I am so glad I made the decision to have a consultation rather than putting it off until it was too late.

“All I can say to anyone reading this, if you have any concerns at all about your bone health, do get it checked because Osteoporosis is a ‘silent’ disease.”

My Comments:

What people need to be aware of is that osteoporosis is a preventable illness affecting many more women 1 in 3 women over the age of 50 in the UK and 1 in 9 men are sufferers. Public awareness and understanding of the illness, however, remains woefully limited: osteoporosis is not just a matter of brittle bones; it can kill – in fact it kills more women than ovarian, cervical and uterine cancers combined. Susan’s story is a good example of how the risk of developing osteoporosis can be minimise by taking action sooner rather than later.

Clearly something in our modern lifestyle is affecting the density and strength of our bones, and only now are we beginning to understand what that might be. The biggest concern is the next generation of girls, whom many will not even reach their peak bone density by the age of 25 because of lifestyle factors such as smoking, lack of exercise, poor diet and dieting due to media pressure to be stick thin.

There are a number of tests available that are extremely useful, giving you invaluable insights into understanding what is going on in your body at the moment and can tell you what vitamin and mineral deficiencies you may have and how rapidly you are losing bone density. Please follow this link if for more information on osteoporosis tests.