Anthea Turner has opened up about her health battle with a bone condition and the ‘everyday changes’ she has made to her life in order to manage it.
The TV presenter, 64, suffers from osteopenia – a condition where you have lower bone density than the average for your age.
If left untreated, osteopenia can lead to osteoporosis, which is a health condition that weakens bones, making them fragile and more likely to break.
Anthea was diagnosed with osteopenia in her late forties following a routine health screening and before this had ‘no idea’ that she had it or that it could ‘become much more serious’.
The Blue Peter star explained: ‘I’m not a smoker or a drinker and I’ve always had a healthy diet.
Anthea Turner has opened up about her health battle with a bone condition and the ‘everyday changes’ she has made to her life in order to manage it (pictured last month)
The TV presenter, 64, suffers from osteopenia – a condition where you have lower bone density than the average for your age (pictured in February)
‘After I was diagnosed I went to my GP and asked if anything could be done, and he said no, and just to keep my fingers crossed that it didn’t get any worse.
‘I was in my late 40s and probably perimenopausal, but back then no one talked about it and my doctor didn’t mention the correlation between the menopause and bone thinning.
‘Osteoporosis was just treated as an aspect of ageing, like grey hair or needing reading glasses.’
Anthea recalled that she mentioned her condition in a health article, which led her to be introduced to Dr Taher Mahmud at the London Osteoporosis Clinic, who helped to create a treatment plan for her.
The star underwent DEXA scans and precision blood tests, and started taking essential medications, to ‘manage’ her osteopenia.
She explained: ‘I also received practical advice to reverse the decline in my bone density such as weight bearing and resistance exercise.
‘It is possible to obtain a DEXA test on the NHS, but only if you knock on doors and insist. Sadly, they are not routine and tend to be done after a fracture has already happened.’
Anthea warned: ‘My most recent T-score and blood tests show that my condition is improving, but there are others, particularly women, who remain in the dark about this condition.’
The star underwent DEXA scans, precision blood tests, and started taking essential medications, to ‘manage’ her osteopenia (pictured in May)
A T-score, which is determined by a DEXA test, indicates a person’s bone density – the lower the score, the more severe the bone loss and the greater the risk of fractures.
The presenter insisted: ‘Everyone should find out their T-score in the same way you should know your blood pressure and cholesterol levels.
‘GP practices are required to monitor these because identification and treatment saves lives. The same should be true of our bone health.
‘Aside from the costs, fractures caused by weak bones cause disruption and emotional cost to people’s lives, so it is imperative that we know our score and how to improve it.’
She went on to reveal the lifestyle changes she has undertaken to manage her condition and avoid it worsening.
Anthea said: ‘Eating healthily isn’t just about calories, it’s about eating the right foods – avoiding ultra-processed foods, adopting a Mediterranean diet, with plenty of fruit and vegetables, calcium-rich food, and proteins.
‘As much as we love it, never forget sugar is our enemy. It attacks every part of our body including our bones; it robs them of vital nutrients.
‘An analogy which I keep in my head is: if you live to the national average age, the first 40 years are on the house, youth fixes most ills but the next 40, if you want to live an active unrestricted life, you need to put some effort in.
‘All women – and men – should be doing some weight-bearing exercises.
‘You don’t need to find an expensive gym, something as simple as three sets of 10-star jumps is a good start and resistance exercises are largely about using your own body weight to do the job.’
She explained: ‘I use ankle weights and a weighted vest, so I can multitask resistance into my daily chores.
‘When it comes to a woman’s biggest health wake-up call – the menopause – good health is still the best way to get through it and thrive. HRT is a wonderful drug but it’s the cherry on the cake.’
In order to reduce your own risk of developing osteoporosis, Anthea advises you ‘know what you are putting in your mouth and avoid ultra-processed foods’.
She has also made food swaps, for example switching out crisps for nuts, as well as starting to take supplements.
The presenter also recommends: ‘Make menopause your wake-up call. Your bone density will diminish rapidly when you reach this milestone.
‘Work at it. Resistance and weight bearing exercise will help to strengthen your bones…and keep your weight in check.’
The health admission comes just after Anthea and her sister Wendy revealed they were brought back together over their mother’s death, during an appearance on This Morning
She concluded: ‘Know your T-score. Have a DEXA scan. You can get these on the NHS, so ask and book a follow up appointment for an interpretation.’
The health admission comes just after Anthea and her sister Wendy revealed they were brought back together over their mother’s death, during an appearance on This Morning in June.
The TV presenter and her journalist sister, 57, were on the famous sofa to chat about their joint project writing children’s books.
During their appearance, Anthea revealed how crucial their bond was to allow a smooth work partnership, but the sisters admitted they haven’t always been close.
It was their mother’s illness that brought them together again and forced the pair to put aside any disagreements.
Host Cat Deeley quizzed: ‘The interesting thing, you both have this intrinsic friendship and sisterhood, you’re so close, but you had a big falling out.’
‘Our phone-in today is about family feuds and I think one of the things that they’ll want to understand is how you heal a rift?,’ host Ben Shepherd questioned.
Talking about their rekindled relationship, Wendy recalled: ‘Well I suppose in our case our mum being ill and then dying certainly helped. We had to pull together for the sake of our dad.
‘It’s really difficult because it just kind of happened.’
Anthea was diagnosed with osteopenia in her late forties following a routine health screening and before this had ‘no idea’ that she had it or that it could ‘become much more serious’
