Strength Training, Veganism and Bone Fractures
People who eat plant-based diets may have lower bone mineral density.
Plant-based diets are becoming more popular, and it’s been reported that people who follow a vegan diet have an increased bone fracture risk. A new study offers good news to address the risk of veganism and bone fractures.
“Veganism is a global trend with strongly increasing numbers of people worldwide adhering to a purely plant-based diet,” said principal investigator Christian Muschitz, MD, of the Medical University of Vienna. “Our study showed resistance training offsets diminished bone structure in vegan people when compared with omnivores.”
Researchers compared data of 43 men and women on a plant-based diet and 45 men and women on an omnivore diet over 5 years. Data analysis showed that vegan participants who used strength machines, free weights or bodyweight resistance exercises at least once a week had stronger bones than those who did not. Vegans and omnivores who engaged in resistance training had similar bone structures. Authors recommend that people who follow a vegan diet incorporate progressive resistance training into their exercise routines.
The study on veganism and bone fractures is published in The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism (2022; doi:10.1210/clinem/dgac445).
See also: Bone Up on Vegan Nutrition
Shirley Eichenberger-Archer, JD, MA
Shirley Eichenberger-Archer, JD, MA, is an internationally acknowledged integrative health and mindfulness specialist, best-selling author of 16 fitness and wellness books translated into multiple languages and sold worldwide, award-winning health journalist, contributing editor to Fitness Journal, media spokesperson, and IDEA's 2008 Fitness Instructor of the Year. She's a 25-year industry veteran and former health and fitness educator at the Stanford Prevention Research Center, who has served on multiple industry committees and co-authored trade books and manuals for ACE, ACSM and YMCA of the USA. She has appeared on TV worldwide and was a featured trainer on America's Next Top Model.
