Comparative study shows differences in bone health
From: the German Federal Institute for Risk Assessment (BfR)
March 1, 2021
-- The vegan diet is on trend. How this type of diet affects health is the
subject of scientific studies. In a new study from the BfR, the bone
health of 36 vegans as well as 36 people following a mixed-food diet was
determined with an ultrasound measurement of the heel bone. The result: on
average, people following a vegan diet had lower ultrasound values compared to
the other group. This indicates poorer bone health. In the study, the
scientists also determined biomarkers in blood and urine. This aims to identify
nutrients that might be related to diet and bone health. Out of 28 parameters
of nutritional status and bone metabolism, it was possible to identify twelve
biomarkers most strongly associated with 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 in lower concentrations in vegans.
This could be a possible explanation for the poorer bone health. "A vegan
diet is often considered health-conscious. However, our scientific findings
indicate that a vegan diet does affect bone health," says BfR President
Professor Dr. Dr. Andreas Hensel.
Nutrition
plays an important role in bone health. This was more closely investigated in
the BfR’s cross-sectional “Risks and benefits of a vegan diet” study. 72
men and women participated in the study. The bone health of all participants
was assessed at the heel bone using ultrasound measurements. Information on
age, smoking status, education, body mass index, physical activity and alcohol
consumption was also collected. By using a statistical model, the BfR was
able 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. It was shown that in combination vitamins A and B6, the amino acids
lysine and leucine, omega-3 fatty acids, selenoprotein P, iodine,
thyroid-stimulating hormone, calcium, magnesium and α-Klotho protein were
positively associated with bone health. Conversely, lower concentrations of the
hormone FGF23 were observed at higher ultrasound levels in this pattern.
Taking into
account other scientific studies, the results indicate that vegans intake fewer
nutrients that are relevant for the skeleton and are mainly found in food of
animal origin. Further studies are needed for clarification.
About the BfR
The German
Federal Institute for Risk Assessment (BfR) is a scientifically independent
institution within the portfolio of the Federal Ministry of Food and
Agriculture (BMEL) in Germany. It advises the German federal government and
German federal states ("Laender") on questions of food, chemical and
product safety. The BfR conducts its own research on topics that are
closely linked to its assessment tasks.
This text
version, https://www.bfr.bund.de/en/press_information/2021/09/does_a_vegan_diet_lead_to_poorer_bone_health_-268536.html,
is a translation of the original German text which is the only legally binding
version.
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