| You know that eating a vegetarian diet can decrease | | | | Some studies have suggested that vegetarians may |
| the incidence of heart disease and certain types of | | | | be at lower risk of osteoporosis than |
| cancers. You also know that it can make you leaner | | | | non-vegetarians.Bone loss is considerably less in |
| and healthier. But so many of the health studies are | | | | postmenopausal women who were vegetarian than |
| done on men? What about women and the impact | | | | those who were non-vegetarian. The non-vegetarian |
| of a vegetarian diet on their health as they age? | | | | diet contained higher amounts of sulphur, which |
| Diets that are high in protein, especially animal protein, | | | | derived from animal protein. |
| tend to cause the body to excrete more calcium, | | | | Dietary sulphur increases the acidity of urine, which |
| oxalate, and uric acid. These three substances are | | | | results in increased urinary calcium loss. Increased |
| the main components of urinary tract stones. British | | | | urinary calcium loss is related to increased calcium loss |
| researchers have advised that persons with a | | | | from bone tissue.Hip fractures associated with |
| tendency to form kidney stones should follow a | | | | osteoporosis has been shown to be higher in |
| vegetarian diet. The American Academy of Family | | | | countries consuming a diet high in animal protein. |
| Physicians notes that high animal protein intake is | | | | We continue to consume meat, while at the same |
| largely responsible for the high prevalence of kidney | | | | time downing calcium supplements and prescription |
| stones in the United States and other developed | | | | drugs to prevent osteoporosis, that often have |
| countries and recommends protein restriction for the | | | | drastic side effects. And most experts agree that |
| prevention of recurrent kidney stones. | | | | calcium supplements are inferior to calcium derived |
| For many of the same reasons, vegetarians are at a | | | | from natural food sources. Doesn't it make more |
| lower risk for osteoporosis. Since animal products | | | | sense (and cents) to get your calcium from eating a |
| force calcium out of the body, eating meat can | | | | healthier diet? |
| promote bone loss. In nations with mainly vegetable | | | | What are some good vegetarian sources of calcium? |
| diets (and without dairy product consumption), | | | | Orange juice, for one. Dry beans, such as black-eyed |
| osteoporosis is less common than in the U.S., even | | | | peas, kidney beans and black beans are another |
| when calcium intake is also less than in the U.S. | | | | good source, as are dark leafy vegetables such as |
| Calcium is important, but there is no need to get | | | | broccoli and kale. Tofu is also a good source of |
| calcium from dairy products. | | | | calcium. |