Bone mineral density was measured at the lumbar spine and femoral neck in 258 postmenopausal vegetarian Taiwanese Buddhist nuns and female religious followers of Buddhism. There was a significant positive correlation between energy intake from protein and lumbar spine BMD. Other nutrients, including calcium and energy intake from nonprotein sources, did not correlate significantly with BMD. Compared with short-term vegans, long-term vegans were at higher risk of exceeding lumbar spine fracture threshold (adjusted odds ratio = 2.48) and of being classified as having osteopenia of the femoral neck (adjusted odds ratio = 3.94). These results suggest that protein deficiency may promote the development of osteoporosis and that long-term female vegans may be at increased risk of developing bone loss.

(Chiu JF, et al, Long-term Vegetarian Diet and Bone Mineral Density in Postmenopausal Taiwanese Women, Cacif Tissue Int 1997;60:245-249)

Comment: Several studies correlating dietary protein and bone density are reported in the Health Equations Newsletter, Vol.5, Fall 1998, page 8. Those studies show decreased femoral density is dependent on the amount of protein in the diet. This study demonstrates the same for the density of the femoral neck and the spine and is specific to vegans. The "Comment" from the Fall of '98 is worth repeating here: "Minerals are deposited in a protein matrix within the bone. If there is insufficient dietary protein the body cannot maintain this protein matrix. The Health Equations Blood Test Evaluation has demonstrated for years that protein deficiency is as significant a factor in osteoporosis as is calcium deficiency. The importance of protein in maintaining bone density is confirmed by these studies."

© Health Equations 2002

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