From The Telegraph
Vegans 40pc more likely to suffer from fractures from lack of calcium, Oxford study finds By Mason Boycott-Owen
23 November 2020 ? 6:01amVegans are 40 per cent more likely to suffer from a bone fracture due to a lack of calcium and protein than meat eaters, a Oxford University study has found.
The study of more than 50,000 British people tracked over two decades found that giving up meat can weaken bones and even trigger osteoporosis.
Researchers found that people with lower calcium and protein intakes who had vegan diets were more prone to hip, leg and spinal fractures.
They also found that vegans were 43 per cent more likely to suffer a fracture anywhere - particularly in the leg, vertebrae and collarbone.
Study lead author Dr Tammy Tong, an Oxford University nutritional epidemiologist, said: "The biggest differences were for hip fractures, where the risk in vegans was 2.3 times higher than in people who ate meat - equivalent to 15 more cases per 1,000 people over 10 years."
It is the most common serious injury in older people. There are more than
76,000 cases a year, costing the NHS £1 billion annually.Women are most vulnerable because their bones naturally lose strength after the menopause as levels of oestrogen drop.
Dr Tong said: "We found vegans had a higher risk of total fractures which resulted in close to 20 more cases per 1000 people over a 10-year period compared to people who ate meat."
Participants' diets were assessed initially, and then again in 2010. They were followed up until 2016, for 18 years on average, for the occurrence of fractures.
Fracture risk was partly reduced once BMI (body mass index) and dietary calcium and protein consumption had been taken into account.
Dr Tong explained: "Vegetarians and vegans generally have lower BMI than meat eaters.
"This is associated with a higher risk of hip fractures, and low intakes of calcium and protein have both been linked to poorer bone health."
Possible explanations include the cushioning against impact force during a fall, enhanced oestrogen production with increased adiposity or stronger bones from greater weight-bearing.
Dr Tong said: "This study showed vegans, who on average had lower BMI as well as lower intakes of calcium and protein than meat eaters, had higher risks of fractures at several sites.
"Well-balanced and predominantly plant-based diets can result in improved nutrient levels and have been linked to lower risks of diseases including heart disease and diabetes.
"Individuals should take into account the benefits and risks of their diet, and ensure they have adequate levels of calcium and protein and also maintain a healthy BMI, that is, neither under nor overweight."
The study looked at participants recruited between 1993 and 2001, with
29,400 meat eaters, 17,500 vegetarians and vegans, and 8,000 pescatarians.During the study a total of 3,941 fractures occurred, including almost
1,000 hip fractures as well as those to the wrist, arm, leg and ankle.The authors found no significant difference in risk between groups for arm, wrist and ankle fractures once BMI was taken into account.
Dr Tong added: "Fractures in adulthood and older ages are a common occurrence which pose a significant burden to health systems worldwide.
"Previous epidemiological studies have shown that vegetarians had lower bone mineral density than non-vegetarians, but the associations of vegetarian diets with fracture risks are unclear.
"Potential risk differences are plausible however,owing to differences in several dietary factors, such as the substantially lower intakes of calcium in vegans, lower intakes of dietary protein in both vegetarians and vegans, and the lower BMI of non-meat eaters."