By Naseerah Nanabhai

09:03:2021

A vegan diet involves abstaining from all kinds of animal products and is often considered a health-conscious alternative. Veganism is known to have benefits such as weight loss and reducing cholesterol, but a new study reveals that it is linked to poor bone health.

A study from the German Federal Institute for Risk Assessment tested 72 men and women. The bone health of all participants was assessed at the heel bone using ultrasound measurements.

A statistical model was used to identify a pattern of twelve biomarkers that play an important role in bone health from 28 nutrition- and bone-relevant parameters from blood or urine. In combination with vitamins A and B6, the amino acids lysine and leucine, omega-3 fatty acids, selenoprotein P, iodine, thyroid-stimulating hormone, calcium, magnesium and a-Klotho protein were positively associated with bone health.

Findings revealed that vegans had lower levels of vitamin A, B2, lysine, zinc, selenoprotein P, n-3 fatty acids, urinary iodine and calcium as the combination of these biomarkers was present in lower concentrations in vegans. Consequently, when compared to participants who ate a mixed diet, vegan participants had overall poorer bone health.

The results ultimately indicated that vegans’ intake fewer nutrients that are relevant for the skeleton and are mainly found in food of animal origin, as nutrition plays an important role in bone health. While veganism has only recently become a growing trend, its effects on health have not been explored much and researchers confirmed that further studies are required.