Vegetarians: Osteoporosis & Health

You know that eating a vegetarian diet can decrease the incidence of heart disease and certain types of cancers. You also know that it can make you leaner and healthier. But so many of the health studies are done on men? What about women and the impact of a vegetarian diet on their health as they age?

Diets that are high in protein, especially animal protein, tend to cause the body to excrete more calcium, oxalate, and uric acid. These three substances are the main components of urinary tract stones. British researchers have advised that persons with a tendency to form kidney stones should follow a vegetarian diet. The American Academy of Family Physicians notes that high animal protein intake is largely responsible for the high prevalence of kidney stones in the United States and other developed countries and recommends protein restriction for the prevention of recurrent kidney stones.

For many of the same reasons, vegetarians are at a lower risk for osteoporosis. Since animal products force calcium out of the body, eating meat can promote bone loss. In nations with mainly vegetable diets (and without dairy product consumption), osteoporosis is less common than in the U.S., even when calcium intake is also less than in the U.S. Calcium is vital, but there is no need to get calcium from dairy products.

We continue to consume meat, while at the same time downing calcium supplements and prescription drugs to prevent osteoporosis, that often have drastic side effects. And most experts agree that calcium supplements are inferior to calcium derived from natural food sources. Doesn’t it make more sense (and cents) to get your calcium from eating a healthier diet?

What are some excellent vegetarian sources of calcium? Orange juice, for one. Dry beans, such as black-eyed peas, kidney beans and black beans are another excellent source, as are dark leafy vegetables such as broccoli and kale. Tofu is also a excellent source of calcium.

Vegetarian and Osteoporosis

We all know that eating a vegetarian diet will decrease the chance of heart disease and certain types of cancers.  Eating a vegetarian diet will also make you healthier and keep you from being overweight.  Many of the studies are done on men.  What about women and the impact of a vegetarian diet on their health?

Women who eat meat will have a higher risk for osteoporosis than those who eat only a vegetarian diet.  When consuming meat, the protein from the meat will really force calcium out of the body, which will promote bone loss.  Based on many studies around the world, countries that depend on a diet consisting of vegetables and fruits, cases involving osteoporosis is less common than in the U.S.

Diets that consist of a high level of protein, especially those from meat, tend to cause the body to excrete more uric acid, calcium, and oxalate.  These three substances are the main cause of urinary tract stones.  For those with a tendency to form kidney stones should eat only a vegetarian diet.

Those who eat meat will reckon taking calcium supplements will help prevent osteoporosis.  Most expert agrees that calcium supplements are inferior to calcium derives from natural food sources.  For this reason, eating a vegetarian diet that contain calcium is the best way to go.

There are many excellent vegetarian food high in calcium.  Some of the food includes orange juice, dry beans, kidney beans, black beans, dark leafy vegetables, and tofu.  The more food of this type you consume, the less likely chance of developing osteoporosis.