In the meantime though, there are lots of things those on plant-based diets can do to protect their bones. One thing that the scientists do agree on is that there’s more research needed on the impacts of vegetarianism on bone health. “This plays a major role in bone development and maintenance through life,” says Chapman. “Making sure you’re not in a major energy deficit increases that chance that you have all the essential vitamins and minerals.”Īnother theory is that veggie diets often have a lower intake of vitamin B12, which is found in oily fish – such as salmon, sardines, herring and mackerel, red meat, liver and egg yolks. “If you have a lower energy (calorie) intake overall, there’s a chance you are not getting all the vitamins, such as calcium and vitamin D, needed for bone health,” says Lily Chapman, performance coach and nutritionist at P3rform, a digital fitness coaching provider.Ĭhapman, who has worked with vegetarian and vegan elite athletes, says one of the most important things for maintaining bone health and preventing the risk of fracture and osteoporosis is energy intake. One theory is that lower BMIs amongst vegetarians, might be a partial explanation, indicating that vegans and vegetarians are generally eating less. Since many of the top bone-building nutrients – including calcium, vitamin D and algae-based omega 3 – can easily be consumed on a vegetarian diet, scientists remain rather baffled. However, plant-based lifestyles have been on the rise over recent years, with growing numbers eschewing meat in the last five years and health is often cited as a key reason for the decision to go plant-based. The findings are the latest to support numerous studies suggesting that vegetarians tend towards poor bone health.īritain’s non-meat-eating population remains relatively small, with vegetarians estimated at around 5-7 per cent and vegans at just 2-3 per cent.
Researchers from the University of Leeds looked at 26,318 women between the ages of 35 and 69 years and found that, by a third, vegetarians had a greater risk of hip fracture than meat-eaters and pescatarians. A new study has found that women on a vegetarian diet are more likely to fracture their hips. If you are thinking of switching to a plant-based diet for the sake of your health, it might not be as simple as you’d hoped.
Researchers from the University of Leeds found that, by a third, vegetarians had a greater risk of hip fracture than meat-eaters and pescatariansĪs new research shows vegetarians and vegans are at greater risk of hip fractures, here’s how a plant-based diet can aid skeletal strength