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Friday 13 November 2020

What kind of magic?

I wanted to jot this down while I'm still thinking about it. 

So, the full quote was something like:  What kind of magic have you been doing for your bones to be in such good shape?

 

Background:  3 bone breaks in the past 20 years - after the 3rd a Dexa scan which I was told showed osteoporosis of the spine, and osteopaenia of the right hip.  Rather a blow, and I wondered how this had come to pass - being vegetarian for 17 years? being a vegan for quite a few? not enough exercise?

 

I tried and tried to understand the diagnosis sheet, but found it very confusing.  

 

I spoke with my GP who advocated drug treatment, and who wasn't impressed by my wish to treat with exercise and diet - commenting that the results could be very serious if I didn't do the drugs and supplements.

 

I worked out that to get enough vitamin required an unthinkable amount of sardine consumption

 

I tried to keep playing tennis because that is considered good.  I tried walking and running with mixed results.

 

A long journey - lots of thought.  Didn't feel I'd cracked it, and in fact psyching myself up before this recent appointment for depressing bony results. 

 

Anyway, I was very chuffed to gather that the original interpretation of my results were due to the consultant, generally apparently very good having an off day.  So, whilst they do indicate osteopaenia, which is not great, not osteoporosis, which I'm very pleased about.

 

Aaaaaand apparently my levels now 4 years later (as an older woman, where it is natural to lose bone mass etc) were the same as then, which couldn't be better in conventional terms, since you can apparently only delay the rot, not get better.  (I think I have heard miracle stories of if you do enough chi kung, it can get sorted, but who knows).

 

So, pondering what I may have done 'right' in case helpful for others:

 

1. I tried to include more 'greens' in my diet - just 'greens' are cheap and delicious - and also eg cabbage, brussells etc.

2.  I tried to keep playing tennis.

3.  opened my French doors to get sunlight on skin when possible; and out walking in the sunlight with skin bare where possible.

4. can't remember anything else offhand. [edited to add - I do aim for wholefood; I did include some meat and oily fish; I do have shiatsu quite often, and try to do related exercises like do-in and taiqi qigong - so these may all be part of the raft].

5.  feel free to add your thoughts/ experience/ advice to comments if you feel to.