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Episode 5: What a DEXA Scan Really Tells You with Dr. Wendy Warner
Stronger Bones Lifestyle Podcast: Take Control of Your Bone Health
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[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
Dr Wendy Warner, Functional Medicine Gynecologist
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, is 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 DEXA scans are created equally because different manufacturers tend to find varying results, which question the accuracy of all DEXA scans. Dr. Warner also points out that the recommendation to get a DEXA scan every two 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 you can implement today to support your bone density and metabolism naturally.
Stress management, diet, and the appropriate bioidentical hormones can help your bones grow stronger throughout menopause. Dr. Warner details her protocol for assisting patients in analyzing their diet and habits to restructure into a lifestyle that will optimize their bone health and overall well-being because healthy bones come from a healthy mind and body.
Listen to more episodes on Bone Health and Osteoporosis
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
A DEXA scan tells you your risk of fracture and not your fracture rate, which is a big difference. It shows how dense your bones are, but that does not directly correlate to the number of fractures you are expected to get.
Doctors use a DEXA scan to assess an individual’s risk for fractures. These scans are frequently used to identify or gauge your risk of osteoporosis.
The initial DEXA scan numbers used for the calculations were based on averaged sized white women. They are not as accurate for smaller, larger, or women of different ethnicities.
The concept of standardizing the DEXA scan has come under scrutiny because medicine has undergone a significant change. It is challenging to compare one person to another because every individual is unique and has various baseline points. When comparing people based on their size, race, or ethnicity, it is vital to exercise caution.
Yes, DEXAa scans are relatively high in radiation, with more radiation than a chest x-ray. It is important to consult your doctor to identify how frequently you should get them.
Yes, you can have strong bones on a vegan or vegetarian diet. Since not all plant proteins have all nine essential acids, increasing your variety of foods is crucial to get all nine essential amino acids from plants. An individual eating a plant based diet needs to ensure they are identifying the best sources of plant proteins and even supplementing in some cases to obtain sufficient protein.
Together with exercise, nutrient-rich fruits and vegetables can aid in the development and maintenance of strong bones.
Yes! With lifestyle changes, bone loss can be reversible. Some changes include eating a clean diet, practicing daily exercise, and limiting alcohol intake, to name a few. There are many ways to reduce and even reverse bone loss.
Osteoporosis can be a scary diagnosis for many, however there is many ways to combat it. Diet is a big factor in bone loss and should be altered to optimize bone health. Daily exercise is an excellent way to move your body and reverse bone loss. Read more about all the ways you can reverse bone loss here!