Shocked and scared is a typical reaction to this pre-osteoporosis diagnosis. It happens often as one in two people over age 50 in the U.S. will get an osteopenia diagnosis or the full blown osteoporosis diagnosis.[1] Understanding the true risks and what to do about it may make this misunderstood diagnosis the best thing to ever happen to you.

Osteopenia is a condition where a person’s bone mineral density is lower than normal. It is considered by many doctors to be a precursor to osteoporosis, that more serious condition where you’ve lost so much bone that your risk for fractures is significantly higher. But osteopenia does not have to lead to osteoporosis. In fact, osteopenia is completely reversible if you supply your bones with the proper nutrients and follow some common sense natural healing steps. So if your “red flag” was a recent bone density test that came back showing osteopenia, consider that a blessing in disguise if it motivates you to take action now to preserve your bones in the long run.

Consider the Source of the Osteopenia Diagnosis

It helps to understand where the osteopenia diagnosis came from in the first place. It was a World Health Organization (W.H.O.) panel financed by the pharmaceutical industry that in 1994 defined normal female bone mass as that of an average 30-year-old woman. Because bone naturally deteriorates with age, anyone much older than 40 is frequently able to qualify for a diagnosis of osteopenia. But, that doesn’t mean that it should be ignored. It is an indication that some abnormal thinning of your bones has already begun although it is not a serious threat at the present time. But what would be serious is if you did nothing to stop the progression of your bone loss and as a result you later developed the full blown osteoporosis that does have serious bone fracture and disability risks.

A Useful Wake Up Call

Let’s not forget that the full blown osteoporosis is a serious disease that can have devastating consequences on your health and quality of life. So it is not to be ignored; and the osteopenia diagnosis is the first warning shot over the bow. So do you just sit there and do nothing or do you begin to prepare for the oncoming attack? Fortunately, osteopenia responds very well to natural healing protocols. However, it’s important to remember that your body didn’t develop osteopenia overnight so recovery from it will take some time. But that’s the good thing about an osteopenia diagnosis – it gives you some time.  The sooner you start, the sooner your body will begin to rebuild healthy bone. And most often, it will not be just one pill or even one strategy that brings the results you desire. It will be a combination of strategies which allows them to work synergistically.

[1] National Osteoporosis Foundation

Originally published in 2012, this blog has been updated.