Author: Karen Lennox
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minutes
Last Updated:
August 08, 2022
Women who eat only plant products are no more at risk of damaging the bone system than those who do not follow vegetarian diets.
Women who eat only plant products are not at greater risk of damage to the bone system than those who do not follow vegetarian diets. This was found by research among Buddhist nuns who adhere to veganism and women who do not limit themselves to animal products. The measured bone density was similar. This is very good news for vegetarians, experts say.
The condition of the skeletal system has always been a concern with this type of diet, given the low intake of protein and calcium. For the nuns included, the daily calcium intake was no more than 370 mg, with a recommended minimum of 1000 mg. Protein was about 35g per day, as opposed to being obtained by at least 65g from other women.
Specialists from the Garvan Institute for Medical Research in Sydney have chosen Buddhist nuns for their study because of the principles they adhere to throughout their lives and the complete disregard for food of animal origin. Vegetarians from Western European countries, for example, are not included because most of them include milk in their diet and get the necessary protein and calcium.