Vegetarian diet and LBM/OP

A study was done which determined that vegetarians have on average 4% lower bone mass.  This is slightly worse for vegans.  However the conclusion of the study was, quote,  "In conclusion, the results of this meta-analysis suggest that there is a modest effect of vegetarian diets, particularly a vegan diet, on BMD, but the effect size is unlikely to result in a clinically important increase in fracture risk."

This was published in the american journal of clinical nutrition 2009.

It is worth noting that, unlike iron which is best absorbed from animal sources, calcium from good plant sources is readily bioavailable.  In fact too much animal protein can be deleterious.

 

Too true. Whats fashionable today is not tomorrow and that goes for everything. Low bone mass: when you do not have osteoperosis but you are heading that way.

Interesting, yet we probably eat more greens and other veggies and fruits than the carnivores. 

I'm not sure that all vegetarians are that careful.  I certainly eat a lot more kale and broccoli now than I did when first becoming vegetarian about 25 years ago!  Back then I just ate everything the family did, but left out the meat.  Salad was usually made with romaine lettuce.

I am certain all vegetarians are not that careful. Juno admits to having a bad diet when she was younger. I have eaten no meat or fish for almost 40 yesrs but even as a child, I prefered all vegetables and often disguised  the meat, hidden in other things. Loved kale and kidney bean soup. Still one of my favourites. And sprouts. All the other kids would put them on my plate as most of them hated sprouts. My favourite fruit has to be avacado. Love it mixed with a little lemon juice and spread on hot toast rubbed with garlic. Topped off with chopped cherry tomatoes, I could eat it every day.

Prevention is always better than cure. I think I am angry because I have always done everything to prevent osteoperosis, diet, non smoker, exercise  but now I discover I should have risked melanoma rather than using factor 50. Also had my testosterone levels checked and I am well into the normal bracket. Someone suggested this might be a contributory factor. True what you say about the drug companys but the supplements we take are also from multi billion dollar companys and they don't need to spend money doing all the trials that the present laws require. And unfortunately, so many of these vitamins and minerals end up down the toilet, unless we are defficent in them to start with

At the osteoporosis clinic at our local hospital every single patient in attendance, and also those taking part through a video conference, was slight of build!

I think people who are slimmer are more likely to break something purely because they don't have the cushioning to break their fall. It might be as simple as that. But, perhaps there is a link. If we eat more, we get fatter but we also take in more nutrients in general as well as the food stuffs that do us no good.

I think that's true. Fat people tend to bounce if they fall!  Seriously though their fatty deposits definitely have a cushioning effect. The other factor which may be relevant is that, because of their increased weight, their bones get a great work- out and may be stronger as a result.  On the minus side though increased weight affects joints - so more likely to develop arthritic conditions.

You cant win!!!

Hi I have only seen your post now. My husband has been vegetarian since he was 8 and me since I got married almost 40 years ago. It is interesting your gynaecologist suggested this as I have seen it has some effect on hot flushes, the baine of my life. Your diet sounds fine, but I am no expert. At the walk in osteoperosis clinic near me, we were advised to stand on one leg building up to 3 minutes each day to strengthen the hips as this puts all the weight onto the one side. Its easy to do and cost nothing but if you have balance issues, hold on to the back of a chair.