In her Goop newsletter, Gwyneth Paltrow reveals that she has the bone-thinning disease osteopenia. Osteopenia means that you have a bone mineral density (BMD) that is lower than normal for your age. It's not low enough to be diagnosed as full blown osteoporosis, but it means that you are at risk of developing osteoporosis as the years pass. Gwyneth says she discovered she had osteopenia after she suffered a severe fracture of the tibial plateau. The tibial plateau is the upper surface of the tibia or shin bone. Here's what she said:
I suffered a pretty severe Tibial plateau fracture a few years ago (requiring surgery) which lead the orthopaedic surgeon to give me a bone scan, at which point it was discovered I had the beginning stages of osteopenia. This led my western/eastern doctors in New York to test my Vitamin D levels, which turned out to be the lowest they had ever seen (not a good thing). I went on a prescription strength level of Vitamin D and was told to...spend a bit of time in the sun! I was curious if this was safe, having been told for years to stay away from its dangerous rays, not to mention a tad bit confused.
Gwyneth included an article by Dr. Frank Lipman who talks about Vitamin D and sun exposure. Dr. Lipman advocates sun exposure to get more Vitamin D: this position is controversial, as Gwyneth notes in the newsletter. Most dermatologists don't support it because of the risks of skin cancer, especially for fair haired and light eyed patients.
Women who are diagnosed with osteopenia usually start a regimen of supplements which includes Vitamin D and Calcium, as well as a program of weight bearing exercise. There are also bone strengthening drugs such as Fosamax and Boniva which may be prescribed. You can read more about this disease that affects women more than men at the website for the National Osteoporosis Foundation. We think it's great that Gwyneth revealed her struggle with osteopenia to the public. She can do a great service by helping bring awareness of this disease.
