Even though such diets are trendy, does vegan food actually lead to poorer bone health? How this type of diet affects health is the subject of many scientific studies. In new research, the bone health of 36 vegans and 36 people following a mixed diet were determined using ultrasound measurements of the heels. The result: On average, people who...eat vegan, has worse values compared to others. Among other things, this indicates impaired bone health.
How vegan food can affect bones
In the study, the scientists also examined biomarkers in blood and urine. This aimed to identify nutrients that could be related to diet and bone health. From 28 parameters of nutritional status and bone metabolism, twelve biomarkers were identified that are most closely related to bone health - for example the amino acid lysine and vitamins A and B6. The results show that in most cases the combination of these biomarkers was present at lower levels in vegans. This could be a possible explanation for poorer bone health. A vegan diet is often viewed as health-conscious. However, scientific evidence shows that such a diet affects bone health, according to the study authors. In addition, vegan food significantly influences bone health. The team measured this using ultrasound on the heel bone of all participants. The researchers also collected information on age, smoking status, education, body mass index, physical activity and alcohol consumption.
Using a statistical model, the scientists were able to identify 28 parameters from blood or urine relevant to nutrition and bones as a pattern of twelve biomarkers. These play an important role in bone health. It has also been shown that when combined, vitamins A and B6 contain the amino acids lysine and leucine, omega-3 fatty acids, selenoprotein P, iodine and thyroid-stimulating hormone. The authors of this study positively associated calcium, magnesium and α-klotho protein with bone health. Conversely, in this pattern, lower concentrations of the hormone FGF23 were observed at higher ultrasound levels. Taking into account other scientific studies showthese results, that vegans absorb fewer nutrients that are relevant to the skeleton and are mainly found in foods of animal origin. However, further studies are required to better clarify the data obtained.
