Osteoporosis-Lesser Incidence in Vegetarians

You are aware of the fact that eating vegetarian diet can reduce the incidence of heart disease and certain types of cancers. You also know that vegetarian diet can make you loose weight, look and feel healthier and more confident. However, what about the effect of vegetarian diets on women in particular? How a vegetarian diet affects women in general and their health as they grow older in particular?

High protein diets are known to cause more excretion of calcium, uric acid and oxalate from the body, for example, animal diets that are rich in protein. These three substances later lead to formation of urinary stones and form the major component of kidney stones. British researches have shown the affect of eating vegetarian diet on formation of kidney stones, and therefore, they suggest to eat more of vegetarian diet as compared to animal food products in order to reduce risk of developing kidney stones. This is of particular importance in people who are prone to develop stones. Even the American Academy of Family Physicians have proved this relationship with various studies and they also recommend the consumption of vegetarian diet.

Higher prevalence of kidney stones have been found in countries who use more of animal products as compared to vegetables and fruit in their diets. For example, US and some developed countries have been found to have higher prevalence of kidney stones in its residents as compared to countries relying more upon vegetarian diets.

For many reasons, people who eat vegetarian diet are at lower risk of developing osteoporosis too. This is of special consideration in females who are of post menopausal group. After menopause, the bone calcium levels can decrease in females due to lack of proper levels of hormone estrogen, leading to increased chances of developing osteoporosis and bone fractures, if sufficient calcium is not taken in diet. In nations who consume mainly vegetables and fruit (without dairy products also), the chances of getting osteoporosis are found to be less as compared to United States, even when they take lesser calcium in their diet as compared to American population. Therefore, it concludes that dairy products are not necessary for getting calcium.

People continue to eat meat. And when they develop osteoporosis, they start taking artificial calcium supplements and various drugs to prevent it from further progression. However, these drugs often lead to side effects that can be drastic. Moreover, many diet experts agree with the fact that calcium derived from natural food resources is a better source to get calcium as compared to any artificial means. You can yourself think about it that obtaining calcium by eating a healthy diet can be prove much more beneficial as compared to taking it via artificial routes.

Now, what are the various natural sources of calcium? You can get calcium from orange juice/pulp, dried beans (e.g. black-eyed peas), kidney beans, and black beans. Dark leafy vegetables like broccoli and kale are also good source of dietary calcium. Tofu is another one.