WHERE TO START
Making sense of nutrition after a diagnosis
WHERE TO START
Making sense of nutrition after a diagnosis
A DEXA scan result or a diagnosis of osteopenia or osteoporosis raises practical questions that a GP appointment rarely has time to answer in full:
How bone health works, explained in everyday language
What your test results mean for your bone health
Whether your diet is working with or against your medication
Which changes are worth making, with the least disruption to daily life
A nutritional therapist helps you understand your bone health and make your own informed decisions about it. If you're new to nutritional therapy, this page sets out what it involves and how it complements your medical care.
DIAGNOSIS
Diagnosed with osteopenia or osteoporosis
You have had a recent DEXA scan or diagnosis and want to understand what to eat, and which nutrients support bone health.
EARLY CONCERN
Borderline bone density or an earlier concern
Your DEXA scan came back borderline, or your bone density is lower than expected, and you want to act early through nutrition.
PREVENTION
Family history or approaching menopause
Osteoporosis runs in your family, or you are approaching menopause, and you want the nutrition changes that support bone density now.
Who nutritional therapy for bone health is for
Whether you have a recent osteoporosis or osteopenia diagnosis, borderline bone density, or a family history, the nutrition support you need depends on your starting point.
EVIDENCE
What the research says about nutrition and bone health
“Eating a healthy, balanced diet is recommended for everyone. It can help prevent many serious health conditions, including heart disease, diabetes and many forms of cancer, as well as osteoporosis.”
“A 50-g daily dose of prunes can prevent loss of total hip BMD in postmenopausal women after 6 mo, which persisted for 12 mo.”
De Souza et al., American Journal of Clinical Nutrition (2022)
“Daily supplementation with both vitamin D and calcium (6 randomized clinical trials with 49 282 participants) was associated with a 16% reduced risk of hip fracture.”
Yao et al., JAMA Network Open (2019)
“A bone-friendly diet and lifestyle is useful at any age though, to strengthen bone, or minimise age-related bone loss.”
British Dietetic Association (BDA)
“Protein intake is associated with higher BMD, a slower rate of bone loss, and reduced risk of hip fracture, provided that dietary calcium intakes are adequate.”
International Osteoporosis Foundation (IOF)
“Calcium and vitamin D are two nutrients well-known to be important for bones. But there are many other vitamins, minerals and nutrients that are vital to help your bones stay healthy and strong.”
Royal Osteoporosis Society (ROS)
Findings from independent organisations and published research on nutrition and bone health. Not claims about Bone Health Practice or individual results. Nutrition works alongside, and does not replace, your GP or specialist's care.
THE PRACTICE
Specialist osteoporosis nutrition practice
My practice focuses entirely on osteoporosis and osteopenia. Bone health changes take time to assess and respond to, so support is structured over several months.
6 MONTHS
Bone Health Pathway
For bone health that involves multiple factors, or where hormonal changes, medication, or digestive function need sustained attention.
Initial clinical assessment
Ongoing follow-up consultations
Personalised nutrition plan
Check-ins and email support
Programmes and fees →
Confidence in your nutrition decisions
Guidance based on your scan results, blood markers, and medical history
A plan that fits around how you eat
Guidance specific enough to act on without turning every meal into a decision
Build more sustainable eating habits
Practical changes that account for what is realistic in your diet and daily routine
Aligned with your medical care
Recommendations aligned with your existing treatment and current medication
What we work on together
Consultations cover the factors that influence bone density in your case: what you eat, how well you absorb key nutrients, and what your blood markers show. Food is the basis of any plan, with targeted supplementation considered only where it is clinically indicated.
Evidence-based
Clinically informed
At your pace
Laura Pratt
CNELM (BSc Hons) | CNM (DipNT)
My practice is dedicated to nutrition support for osteoporosis and osteopenia.
PRACTITIONER
Professional background
I have over 14 years’ experience in nutritional practice, supporting clients with complex and chronic health concerns. I work within the scope of nutritional therapy and alongside, not instead of, the medical care your GP or consultant is providing.
Specialising in bone health lets me structure and refine my approach around the multiple factors involved in osteoporosis and osteopenia.
Considering nutrition support for bone health?
A free 15-minute discovery call covers your current situation, what a consultation would involve, and whether this is the right point to start. There is no obligation to book further.
People come to this service at different stages, after a diagnosis, during medication use, or while seeking clearer guidance alongside existing care. It is best suited to adults looking for personalised, longer-term nutrition support for bone health or osteoporosis.
ARTICLES & GUIDES
Bone Health Resources
Evidence-informed articles and practical guidance to support long-term bone health.
