Do Vegans Have Lower Bone Mineral Density and Higher Risk of Osteoporosis?

Those eating plant-based tend to be so much slimmer that their bone mass may suffer. Does this mean higher osteoporosis risk?
This video sets the stage for my later videos, where I go into more detail on bone fracture rates: Do Vegans Have Lower Bone Density and More Fractures? (nutritionfacts...) and Vitamin D May Explain Higher Bone Fracture Risk in Vegans (nutritionfacts....
For more on bone health, see:
• Alkaline Diets, Animal Protein, and Calcium Loss (nutritionfacts...)
• Phytates for the Prevention of Osteoporosis (nutritionfacts...)
• Is Milk Good for Our Bones? (nutritionfacts...)
• Are Calcium Supplements Safe? (nutritionfacts...)
• Are Calcium Supplements Effective? (nutritionfacts...)
• Almonds for Osteoporosis (nutritionfacts...)
• Prunes for Osteoporosis (nutritionfacts...)
New subscribers to our e-newsletter always receive a free gift. Get yours here: nutritionfacts....
Have a question about this video? Leave it in the comment section at nutritionfacts.... and someone on the NutritionFacts.org team will try to answer it.
Want to get a list of links to all the scientific sources used in this video? Click on Sources Cited at nutritionfacts.... You’ll also find a transcript and acknowledgements for the video, my blog and speaking tour schedule, and an easy way to search (by translated language even) through our videos spanning more than 2,000 health topics.
Thanks for watching. I hope you’ll join in the evidence-based nutrition revolution!
-Michael Greger, MD FACLM
Captions for this video are available in several languages; you can find yours in the video settings.
NutritionFacts...
• Subscribe: nutritionfacts...
• Donate: nutritionfacts...
• Podcast : nutritionfacts...
• Facebook: NutritionFacts.org
• Twitter: nutrition_facts
• Instagram: nutrition_facts_org
• Books: nutritionfacts...
• Shop: drgreger.org

[@Fearzero]

Just had a bone scan because of a strange calcium deposit on my knee. After 21 years of vegan diet the doctor said my bones looked great!

[@chiyerano]

Congratulations on the diagnosis and for being vegan for 21 years 😊

[@Fearzero]

@@chiyerano 🙏

[@meman6964]

Wrap kee with castor oil compress, help body dissolve extra bone growth

[@hahaipokedyouoel483]

Broke a couple of bones and a compressed disc 5 years ago. I came across a video on alkaline foods for bone health, it explained why consuming alkaline foods is better for your bones than acidic foods. I’ve had 2 bad falls since my diano

[@nunyabeezwacks1408]

You may be one of the lucky obese vegans.

[@Veganvipassi]

Weight bearing is so important! My doctor told patients to carry heavy bags, don't use a hand cart, carry babies, don't always use a stroller. I'm glad I listened to him. At 61 I have more muscle mass than a lot of 25 year olds, as well as higher bone density. Sadly, I speak to many, a lot of them in their 20's who STILL believe that "milk does a body good." 😐

[@Lacroix999]

Ew on the milk part!! I’m just wondering why then carry heavy stuff can hurt us when we don’t do it all the time.

[@nolow_life]

@@Lacroix999 because your body isn't used to it and can likely carry it improperly due to inexperience. Start slow and light, generally increase over time

[@fdagpigj]

@@Lacroix999 If you don't have enough muscle in the right places, the load is distributed to parts of your body that aren't well suited for that type of stress.

[@tinknal6449]

My dad was a milkman and I grew up on a farm. I drank a gallon of milk a day and worked my ass off. I've led an active life, riding rough stock in rodeo, working as a ranch Cowboy, being attacked and ran over by cattle on numerous occasions, training horses and being similarly trashed and so on. At 60 I recycle scrap metal and still work my ass off. Through all of this I've never broken a bone. On the negative side if I go in the water I sink like a rock....

[@Veganvipassi]

@@tinknal6449 Anecdotal. My great uncle smoked two packs of cigarettes a day, he started smoking when he was 10. He worked as a HD mechanic until he was 87, lived to be 98...

[@shanniwelsh133]

This is the best good news video I’ve seen in a while. I have been vegan for quite a while but I continuously have an extra 20 pounds on my body due to menopause. Finally that 20 pounds is good for something.😂

[@veganath]

Thanks Dr. Greger, I'm 30+ yrs athletic vegan no chronic disease, not needed the services of a physician in all that time, not even during COVlD .....

[@Lacroix999]

Idk why people can’t put two and two together when they see vegans with far less health issues than those who are not!

[@MachineGod69]

@@Lacroix999 they can, they don’t care. They would rather eat what they want.

[@Lacroix999]

@@MachineGod69 it’s sad too since they’re the ones crying the loudest when they have health issues and ‘would do anything not to be in pain anymore’ except do the things required to get them there.

[@deepakhiranandani6488]

Thanks for another clear, informative and useful video.

[@gaffneyaz]

Video probably should have ended with the recommendation that everyone, particularly those with low BMIs, to routinely engage in weight bearing exercises to minimize the loss of bone density.

[@TasteOfButterflies]

Hopefully it will be followed by an episode listing all lifestyle recommendations for maintaining bone mass: exercise, calcium, vitamin D3, vitamin K, and sufficient protein intake (something vegans often minimize the importance of).

[@HuplesCat]

After over two decades not eating meat and a decade of vegan diet I was proud about no supplements. I took iron as a vegetarian a couple of times. I found age 58 stiff and hard handling stairs in the am. Old age I thought. I heard on the 2022 Food Revolution about DHA. Now on it, vegan source, and way better. Moral is don’t skip stuff out of pride I edited it. I wrote DEA not DHA duh!

[@giladkingsley]

You taking B12?

[@HuplesCat]

@@giladkingsley I am now in a vegan multivit. I ate so much processed vegan junk my B12 was four times normal when checked but that was years ago and I'm not eating the processed junk as much. Apparently DEA loss causes parkinson's like affects which is exactly what was happening to me. The doctors on the Food Revolution Summit mentioned it in long lived vegans so we got some and in a week I can walk normally down stairs.

[@giladkingsley]

@@HuplesCat what is DEA loss

[@HuplesCat]

@@giladkingsley Duh DHA. Not DEA!

[@HuplesCat]

@@giladkingsley Docosahexaenoic Acid (DHA) - it is an active form of omega - 3 fatty acid and mostly found in animal based food. The plant form of omega - 3 ALA is poorly absorbed by the body and therefore vegans must take supplements for meet the daily requirements of this nutrient.

[@eelkeaptroot1393]

I carry around a back pack a large part of the day so I'm guessing I'll be fine.

[@gurudra]

The future is vegan🙏

[@misi4422]

🤢🤢🤢🤮🤮🤮 Jajaja jajajaja jajajaja

[@berniceleblanc515]

Yes the future most definitely is Vegan!! 🌱 👏🏼

[@wfpbwfpb]

@@jinsakai7008 hahahahahahahaha. Not a chance. It’s on the rise and stronger than any point in recent history. Nice try

[@ludicrousone8706]

@@Goodmorning1221- that's a given😉

[@lula19_21]

Absolutely 💯 and the present too👍

[@jarcau_vegan]

Wow, thank you very much!! 🎊🎉 Some of _'the experts'_ seem to have been a bit clumsy at deciding which variables were to be tracked and which were to not even be considered. There's no need to use animals as resources for food to live, be healthy and thrive. Nor for clothing, entertainment or any other use, whatsoever. Don't animals also deserve to be seen as individuals to be respected, not to be commodified, enslaved, used and disposed of? Cheers 🍀🙏🏻

[@daveriordan27]

Brilliant video as always dr Greger 👍🙏

[@veganvanlifeusa2645]

He’s awesome, love his videos

[@giladkingsley]

4:37 The study is about vegetarians, and the video is about vegans so it's irrelevant to the question of weather vegans have higher risk of osteoporosis. given it's the main reference of the video, I'm disappointed.

[@jackiedel623]

At last, being 10 pounds overweight is good for my bones! Crazy menopause weight gain 🎉

[@petar.dj98]

Dr G should start lifting to prevent muscle loss from old age

[@giladkingsley]

Definitely

[@lf7065]

He doesn't appear to have any! No disrespect, just don't see any muscles on his arms at all. 😐

[@giladkingsley]

@@lf7065 nah he's normal

[@lordofthestrings86]

You're also less likely to break or fracture a bone if when you fall down you have extra "cushion" to break your fall, as with overweight/obese people.

[@eelkeaptroot1393]

That cushion might work around the hip, but less around the knee or elbow

[@RichS.73yroldbodybuilder]

Mass plus velocity means they would be hitting harder it’s gotta be more than just cushioning.

[@hahaipokedyouoel483]

I took a fall about a week ago and I’m pretty sure my added weight saved me from a break. Yes I’m very sore between my weight gain and eating mostly alkaline foods im very lucky to be upright with the aid of my walking sticks. Also on meds

[@JaneWeeks]

I'm 73 now. I tipped over from osteopenia to osteoporosis a couple of years ago. I also have osteoarthritis in my lower back. I've been veggie (cheese only) since I was 36 and totally vegan for about 12 years. Low weight until two years ago when I put on 10 lbs of "covid weight." I've always been active. Totally healthy otherwise.

[@gallectee6032]

Weight lifting can help and even reverse these issues, if you are interested. There are guides on weight resistance training for the elderly on youtube.

[@eatplantsloveanimals]

Just being "active" is not enough -- you have to do weight bearing exercises. Also, you lose a lot of bone density after menopause, if you don't do any weight bearing exercises or don't do hormone replacement therapy.

[@c.vandenberg1559]

Look at some of the vids from GloryB-tv. She has some on bone density and what to do about it (jumping)

[@ukidding]

I like lifting weights usually daily. I think it helps posture. Avoid dairy animal products sugar salt fast food alcohol tobacco and eggs.

[@humblecourageous3919]

I'm also 73 and my bone density got a bit worse at the last test. They wanted me to take meds for it, but I refused them. I've been vegetarian for 50 years. Just this December we were getting new gutters for some rain tanks we were putting in. We took down the old plastic gutters and needed to caulk the eaves one day and paint them the next because rain was coming and the vents were going to be installed in just a few days. I was on a ladder caulking and I stepped off once when I thought I was on the ground but I was on the last step. I fell on my bottom on cement and rolled on my back and hollered to my husband to help me up. Everything in the body was fine so I went right back to caulking. The next day I painted. I never felt a tiny bit of pain or discomfort. So far I've never broken a bone. A few years before, on a camping trip, I fell three times (the place was called rock creek and rocks were everywhere in the campsites. You don't look up when you are there!) I got scraped elbows and some bruises, but no broken bones. I guess I'm very lucky.

[@kchappelle]

Thankful to the vegans for not eating meat.

[@dapawap]

I have been vegan for 15 years. I am thin & very fit. However just had a dexa & I was shocked. My T score was 2.5 should I add some yogurt/cheese?

[@elialeiba1344]

Eat more calories

[@rinnin]

TLDW: They might have lower bone mineral density because they are skinnier. Compare them to a skinny meat eater and they’re at the same risk. Pretty much

[@jy7138]

Dr. Greger: HELP please--10-y/o healthy girl, had 3 nontraumatic metatarsal fractures in past year. Peds Endo says low bone density (Z-score is -3, Peds DEXA not commonly performed there so this is also questionable) is due solely to plant-based diet. Was on vit D 400 IU now up to 1000 IU daily. Endo refusing to refer to Bone Health multi-disciplinary clinic saying just needs to eat meat other non-plant protein. Kid eats beans, greens, brown rice daily. Please help me provide studies to refute these beliefs, and to advocate for further evaluation at a Peds bone facility and continuing plant-based diet. We appreciate your advocacy and work.

[@nitramnagev7997]

It would be interesting to measure the density of arm bones as overweight people don't put any extra stress on their arms.

[@stavokg]

This is a good comment; I’d like to see that as well.

[@lenoraperry7094]

As a fat person this isn’t true. We use arm muscles to help us get up a lot more than skinny people. I’m losing weight by the way and am much healthier already. Hopefully one day I’ll be able to get up without arm help😂

[@ludicrousone8706]

Besides carrying more weight on our arms to begin with

[@nitramnagev7997]

@@lenoraperry7094 True, but the stress on your arms doesn't last as long as the stress on the legs and spine.

[@nitramnagev7997]

@@ludicrousone8706 That could be a factor but more for people who move their arms a lot. When the arms are just dangling or swinging slightly the strain will be on the shoulders and spine.

[@leftyfourguns]

Weight lifting increases the strength of your bones just as much as it does muscles. So don't be scared off by the meatheads, incorporate weight lifting into your daily fitness routine!

[@annieesther8405]

I carry a backpack that often contains an important amount of weight on my back regularly. I'll keep doing that. 😃

[@RealLifeMassMultiplayerRPG]

Ill die vegan. its unconditional. It just happen to be healthy cheap ethical and optimal for wellbeing and performance :D

[@wellthi]

and more sustainable for our only habitat

[@djayjp]

Hell yeah

[@lynnrumsey3296]

Dr. Greger, has anyone done a study on filtered water causing osteoporosis? I started drinking only filtered water in the early 2000’s when , high levels of lead contamination was found in the DC water supply and have been drinking filtered water since. I developed osteoporosis and was told by my doctor I needed treatment. I try to remember to put the electrolyte drops in my water but the majority of the time do not. WFPB eaters are probably more likely to drink more filtered water so I wish you would find out if there is a study on this topic. Thank you so much for the work you do.

[@gallectee6032]

Depends on how the water is filtered. Reverse osmosis removes all minerals from the water and from there you significantly increase your chances of mineral deficiencies. Unless you remineralize the water afterwards. It could also be a vitamin D deficiency, did you check for that?

[@giladkingsley]

@@gallectee6032 the amount of minerals in mineral water is not clinically significant

[@gabriel65304]

I am drinking also filtered water for around 3 years now and I don’t have any symptoms.

[@lynnrumsey3296]

@@gallectee6032 Yes, I did check for vitamin deficiency. It was low but I had been taking vitamin D supplements and outside a lot as a walker. It now is in a healthy range. The filtered water was reverse osmosis. Thank you for your reply.

[@liviacotto7647]

Calcium in water is so important and it is absorbed by the body. But calcium is in mano vegetables, check out other Dr Greger's videos

[@rogeryoung6261]

Not very convincing. I would have liked to see WFPB results showing up better, rather than “almost as good as omnivores”. Also, John McDougall claims that DEXA is not a great measure of fracture risk?

[@TasteOfButterflies]

I don't think wfpb/vegans will fare better than omnivores in bone density until we collectively stop denying that an adequate protein intake is important.

[@rogeryoung6261]

@@TasteOfButterflies Protein comes from plants. That’s where cows get it.

[@TasteOfButterflies]

@@rogeryoung6261 yes, I am aware that amino acids are made by plants. That is why vegans denying the importance of protein (usually saying things like "actually, you only need 25 grams of protein per day" or "actually, it's impossible to not get enough protein as long as you are getting enough calories") are so very stupid.

[@rogeryoung6261]

@@TasteOfButterflies I agree that any vegan who denies the importance of protein IS very silly. But as far as I am aware this is not at all the view of people on a vegan diet. The USDA guideline for a 30 year old female of healthy weight is 50 grams of protein daily. This is easily obtained from the normal daily food intake, whether it be vegan or non-vegan. There is heaps of protein in plants, and heaps of protein in animal products; protein deficiency is almost unknown in the Western world, be it vegan or non vegan.

[@TasteOfButterflies]

@Roger Young those 50 grams of protein daily (or approx 0.8 grams per kg of healthy weight) represent the bare minimum to avoid disease; studies show that higher intakes than that have positive effects on bone mineral density preservation and fracture prevention (and also on muscle mass preservation going into old age). That is exactly what I meant in my first comment: we vegans will never have better bone mineral density results than omnivores as long as we aim for the bare minimum.

[@metalrunner4398]

I wish some vegan doctors didn’t spread quackery saying that calcium, vitamin D and protein are not nutrients of concern (hint; McDougall). Also Greger who completely ignores protein.

[@cicciomattese]

Already. They look at only standard average vegan that DON'T have protein deficiency forgettening than in vegans popolation there Is a very higher percentage of anorexics than average popolation.....

[@metalrunner4398]

@@cicciomattese I never said they had protein deficiency. For optimal health you need much more than to avoid kwashiorkor.

[@cicciomattese]

@@metalrunner4398 fracture risk It Is influnced by fact than in vegan popolation there Is very higher percentage of anorexics than average popolation..cause who have a eating disorder have very more chance being vegans or vegetarians..

[@metalrunner4398]

@@cicciomattese Greger is promoting orthorexia and annorexia.

[@cicciomattese]

@@metalrunner4398 he Is not saying that Is ok have protein deficiency. Simple forgettening that higher percentage of anorexics in vegans that influence statistics bone health in avarege vegans.. Vegan anorexics are that justify animal products at other people..... for example i haven't eating disorder and i critic my familiar when they take animal products for themself..... vegans that not insult/critic familiar that take animal products have probably an eating disorder and mental problems.

[@thescooterstore2813]

Exercise is the solution

[@monicalanzoni5679]

Great video, thank you. I have been WFPBNO for a year and just diagnosed with beginning of osteoporosis. Apart from healthy eating, sun and exercise, would drinking water naturally high in calcium help or would it be a useless supplement?

[@xperience-evolution]

Calcium is not a big factor for bone density but it can support it. Your Bones need to be used to get stronger.

[@sugarbabylove1000]

Aren't foods with vitamin k helpful too?

[@andreawisner7358]

Apparently my bone density is bad. Long-term vegan. Also 30 pounds overweight (postmenopausal weight gain).

[@wellthi]

not enough prot (legumes chick peas, lentils, tofu etc.) in my op, according to Brenda Davis book "becoming a vegan"

[@wellthi]

​@@sherril.562 "Phytates do have side effects, but they all appear to be good. High phytate intake has been associated with less heart disease, less diabetes, and fewer kidney stones. In fact, some researchers have suggested that phytates be considered an essential nutrient. Like vitamins, phytates participate in important biochemical reactions in the body. Your levels fluctuate with dietary intake, and insufficient consumption is associated with diseases that can be moderated by eating adequate amounts. Maybe phytates should be considered "Vitamin P""" Quote from Dr Greger's book "How not to die"

[@wellthi]

@@sherril.562 you are so wrong you must be confused with something else. phytate have nothin to do with teeth joints or microbiome the only problème with phytate is his antinutrient effect but only for malnourished people, not a problème for people with well balanced diet. and its mainly in cereals, legumes and nuts not in carrots and kale. more importantly phytate have tones of benefits : antioxidant, and anticancer activities. Inhibition of calcium salt crystallisation and prevention of renal stone formation, as well as positive effects on blood glucose and blood cholesterol.

[@wellthi]

@@sherril.562 more bulls, more non sense, any scientific paper to support your claims. my comment was a copy/paste from a scientific paper : Phytate in foods and significance for humans: Food sources, intake, processing, bioavailability, protective role and analysis. DOI 10.1002/mnfr.200900099

[@wellthi]

@@sherril.562 just give me your sources if you know better than every scientist in the world. not all scientific papers are funded by industries, don't fall in lobby confusion scheme otherwise they won. so meat lobby are so bumb they are makin good scientific paper on phytate to promote plant instead of meat ????

[@littleleaf8541]

I just had some teeth rot, and I figured it was because of my diet.. well, kind of. I really like getting drunk and not brushing my teeth, which supposedly rots your teeth. I’m a martial artist and I’ve never broken a bone. Vegetarian for 12 years.

[@ExtraSubtle]

I would like to know Greger's height and weight. He looks very undernourished.

[@ChristineVacula]

What are your thoughts on Organic PLANT Calcium supplements? I am 52 years old, I am 100lbs, I eat WFPB (no oil) and I have not gone through menopause yet. I had a Dexa scan that shows osteoporosis. My lifestyle doctor, recommended mykind Organics PLANT CALCIUM supplements (plant sourced calcium).....800mg three times a day. What are your thoughts on this? I didn't know if these were different from regular calcium pills. Are they worth taking, or just still stick with calcium rich food? Christine Vacula

[@jonahbert111]

At least from where I can see, people should look into taking borax for improved bone health. I have for years. I am 73. No aches, pains, joint problems. Yes, the "detergent" in the box for washing. It is not a detergent, it really is mostly a Ph adjustment. It like washing soda is very alkaline.

[@djayjp]

From WebMD: "Borax can cause nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea if you ingest it by itself, and large amounts can lead to shock and kidney failure. It's banned in U.S. food products. It also can irritate your skin and eyes, and it can hurt your nose, throat, and lungs if you breathe it in."

[@Perros333]

The positive health effects of being skinny far outweigh the risk factors.

[@cyberfunk3793]

Tell that to the people immobilized by a hip fracture at older ages.

[@Perros333]

@@cyberfunk3793 argue for your limitations and they shall be yours.

[@cyberfunk3793]

@@Perros333 I have a normal BMI and am not skinny, so not my limitation.

[@cicciomattese]

right. Just not being TOO skinny. Anorexics have an enormous higher fractures risk other than neurologic problems and heart failure..

[@samiryan214]

It's at 1:35

[@trevorregay9283]

I find this interesting, but I feel like there is more to the story here that is not quite understood yet.....my super vegan sister-in-law has been diagnosed with osteoporosis.....and I believe she is taking some kind of medication for it rather than do the weight bearing solution......I find it interesting as well that vegans seem to be considered skinnier than non-vegans, which, I don't know, there are easily heavy vegans out there....and that veganism doesn't always guarantee weighing less......anyway, my take away from this is to make sure you are lifting some form of weights on a consistent basis or try to gain weight to enhance bone mass.... : D

[@TasteOfButterflies]

Of course there are fat vegans out there; and no one said that veganism is a guarantee of weighing less (or of any other health outcome). But vegans weighing less *on average* is quite well-established. Best of health to your sister-in-law. Forms of exercise that can help prevent osteoporosis can also be very dangerous to people who already have it, so it's good that she's getting proper treatment instead of trying to fix a serious disease with exercise.

[@trevorregay9283]

@@TasteOfButterflies yeah, she was not exactly thrilled about it, but decided to give it a try...she is an MD which makes it even more curious to me....

[@giladkingsley]

4:37 The study is about vegetarians, and the video is about vegans so it's irrelevant to the question of weather vegans have higher risk of osteoporosis. given it's the main reference of the video, I'm disappointed.

[@swites]

They always used to lump vegans in with vegetarians in these studies due to the tiny number of vegans around back in the day.

[@giladkingsley]

@@swites that's a big problem if your basing your bone health on this study

[@swites]

@@giladkingsley I wouldn't call it a big problem necessarily. But yes, less than ideal.

[@giladkingsley]

@@swites vegetarians have higher intakes of calcium and vitamin d, which bother affect bone health, they also have higher BMI, and probably have high protein intakes.

[@swites]

@@giladkingsley Protein is a total non-issues. I get well over the recommended protein intake(0.8g/kg) without trying(usually 1.2g/kg+). More isn't better. Bodies can only absorb ~20-30g/meal so any extra has to be excreted by the kidneys. Animal protein is much more acidic so the body pulls calcium from either the muscle or bone to neutralise it. It's a complex process, so again more isn't necessarily better. Its the balance bt absorption and excretion. But of course if vegan u need to make an effort. Vit D from food is a relatively small amount compared to what one gets from sunlight (3x15mins/week is all one needs). But in Winter its a good idea to supplement (and also if you have darker skin) regardless of diet. If you're worried supplement.

[@MukulVyas5]

Dr. Avi did a full breakdown and "debunk" of the Epic Oxford study

[@jarcau_vegan]

Go vegan and lift weights!! Go weight and lift vegans!!

[@impressions9558]

It makes sense. By that flawed logic, athletes are frail because they have more fractures than couch potatoes.

[@VeganChiefWarrior]

guessing were good

[@OfficialAlgathonix]

Perhaps then one must consider adding weighted vests to their walks, or is having lower fat-mass a more severe risk factor?

[@nickyrivernene5921]

They say that it is important for older people to do some weight training so I guess it is. Lower bmi also reduces the risk of cancer in older people too.

[@nickyrivernene5921]

@@sherril.562 gardening does it for me : )

[@nickyrivernene5921]

@@sherril.562 yes, permaculture and rewilding 💚

[@nickyrivernene5921]

@@sherril.562 yes, surprising as I frequently type it correctly, thought auto correct was bad already lol

[@beanburrito8903]

Thank you for your work. I'm glad we happy people we can trust in science and doctor feilds. You have to many haters Greger. I hear your name everywhere.

[@zauberfrosch11]

very interesting video!

[@olabanas7658]

Great video!

[@susans.f.8610]

Gracias por compartir 🙏 bendiciones 😊

[@terryelizabeth2841]

Just what I needed to know.

[@bundletesla5882]

You have to stress the bone to make anything happen! You can get gobs of calcium, D, etc, but without stressing the bone through exercise, not much at all is going to happen!

[@alexbalea852]

Please add Romanian subtitles! Thank you!🤝🙏

[@paolocabriga5739]

I hope you discuss about fish oil food supplement. Does effective? Or fake? Thank you.

[@wellthi]

already made juste engine search on website or YT channel

[@wellthi]

spoiler he recommend to supp algue DHA EPA

[@christophergray9227]

Great information.

[@emergentform1188]

Brilliant, love it!

[@hynjus001]

This "vegans are so thin" thing makes no sense to me in the modern world. There is so much tasty, fatty food available to vegans now. I just had some "butter" with cheese on a taco and all of that was just as fatty as the animal version, only less saturated. In terms of weight loss, I've only lost weight as a vegan under 2 conditions: 1. Fully raw. Highly recommended. Never felt so healthy 2. Alternate day fasting combined with early time restricted feeding.

[@jonnenne]

I would argue that average vegan thinks of food more than a non-vegan. In our western world, it is an active decision to be vegan. Thus there is a huge selection bias to people who also care about health. Sp average vegan is more invested in healthy food than the average person. Of course, this is all just logic and not proven science

[@TasteOfButterflies]

You can go to a supermarket and stock up on a ton of tasty vegan junk food, but if your colleague randomly brings cookies to work, chances are you as a vegan will not be having any. Point is that if junk food is more of a "crime of opportunity" than a lifestyle choice to you, you will probably get less of it as a vegan.

[@kape2377]

I dont think I would have lost any weight on a WFPB diet UNLESS I had also skipped grains, which I did for digestive reasons. (Instead I eat a lot of potatoes) As soon as I would start eating them, those kgs would be back within a week probably. But On the other hand, I dont eat vegan junk food, or -cheese, meat substitutes or the like, but the more healthier options,as health is important to me, and that is the reason why I eat this way.

[@minifix]

There are several studies that show vegans have lower vitamin D levels than omnivores, but only by a tiny fraction. I wonder if this marginally lower average vitamin D level could explain the tiny difference in bone density?

[@lizt.5374]

This is a great question and I’d love to see this explored too. I had a GP who really counselled vitamin D supplementation (instead of calcium) for bone density as well as impact exercise (walking, running, jumping). I’d love to see the activity levels of research subjects factored in, given that western lifestyles have become so sedentary and simple functional exercises like walking have been replaced so much by driving. If every step exerts 1.5 times our body weight on our bones, I wonder if even low BMI individuals who are quite active could potentially fare better than higher BMI individuals who are more sedentary?

[@minifix]

​@@lizt.5374 I also realized Dr. Greger didn't mention anything about differences in sex, and as we know the average results could be skewed by having more women than men as study subjects. Therefore I went back to the article that adjusts for various factors DOI: 10.1093/jn/nxaa018 , and it did indeed account for both vitamin D levels and sex differences. However, I noticed that the data was based on self-reporting, which in my opinion renders the findings useless. The study also failed to account for activity levels, which as you rightly point out would be a highly relevant factor in this context.

[@cicciomattese]

No, It Is influnced by fact than in vegan popolation there Is very higher percentage of anorexics than average popolation..cause Who have a eating disorder have very more chance being vegans or vegetarians..

[@minifix]

@@cicciomattese The study adjusted for BMI, so no, that's not the reason. Also, where's the evidence for the claim you make about eating disorders and veganism?

[@cicciomattese]

@@minifix it' s reason. In studies about fracture risk and vegan diet vegans with BMI => 22 DON'T HAVE higher risk of fracture aslo if calcium levels very lower.... "a statistically significant higher risk of total and hip fractures was only observed in vegans in the lower BMI category (

[@big5astra]

Ah, the fudge factor to make vegans look good in terms of BMD. Good job doc.

[@gbubemia]

Vegans win all the time!

[@krishnaveganathar]

There’s no scientific justification for how humans treat animals.

[@cyberfunk3793]

@@krishnaveganathar Why don't you start by teaching other animals to treat animals better or are you a speciest?

[@DrSpooglemon]

So the real question is, "Do you even lift?"

[@elenna_alexia]

I am thin and have low bone density, but at least it's not cause of my vegan diet

[@helenball1106]

Dr Eric Berg says most of the plant based food eg tofu, sweet potatoes, chocolate are high in oxalates which stops the absorption of calcium. Being on a vegan diet a DEXA scan has just shown an increase in osteoporosis which makes me think that most of the plant-based foods are making my condition worse.

[@k.h.6991]

He's wrong. Do check out if your vegan diet is well designed. And do weight bearing exercise.

[@plantpoweredpedaller6264]

A recent story near me concerned some activists blocking a milk distribution centre and the comments in the local paper were quite funny, including "good luck with your bone mineral density later in life" 🤣

[@VICARI0S]

Well I'm glad I'm no longer a vegetarian, phew.

[@justcarineinparis]

I knew it! I knew it, I knew it, I KNEW IT! Off to the gym now! 🏃‍♀️

[@nextl3v3l99]

Wouldn’t it be ideal to eat mainly plant based and healthy but still have some chicken, some fish, just less meat consumption. Gen curious?

[@eelkeaptroot1393]

Would you tell your children smoking less than 5 cigarettes a day hardly increases ones risk for lung cancer, so just light up in moderation?

[@wellthi]

he have so many vid to scare you from eating meat and dairy juste engine search there are worst than just saturated fat in meat and dairy products : saturated fat (cardiovascular disease), trans fat (cardiovascular disease), cholesterol (diabetes), hormones, antibiotic, virus (Staphylococcus , ecoli, salmonella, etc.), bccaa (diabetes), trimethylamine oxide (cancer), nitrite (cancer), phosphate , high methionine (toxic sulfur-containing amino acids), renal acid load, AGEs advanced glycation end products , secondary bile acids (cancer), hydrogen sulfide (putrefaction : UC, crohn), endotoxins (inflammation), ferrotoxicity (too much heme iron = more cancer), persistant organic pollutants (pops), Neu5GC (inflammation, autoimmune D ), nitrosamines, PhIP heterocyclic amines (HCAs) in cooked meat (carcinogen), Arachidonic acid (inflamation, pro-algesic, etc.), endotoxemia etc... processed meat is a certain group 1 carcinogen (the worst) alongside plutonium and asbestos in my op meat is just good in survival mode short term if you have no other option

[@nextl3v3l99]

@Nonya exactly, like I think multiple things can be true at once. I think people should be able to eat animal products but animals should not have to suffer and neither does our environment bc of factory farming. That’s more reasonable then telling millions of people throughout the globe that they can’t eat animals. Especially since it’s apart of so many cultures

[@eelkeaptroot1393]

@@wellthi fair points, my only criticism would be that the list of terms you put in parentheses after virus are actually bacteria, but still fair points...

[@krishnaveganathar]

There’s no scientific justification for how humans treat animals.

[@tinknal6449]

Hey, way to ignore peer reviewed science!

[@barrychambers4047]

In T.Colin Campbell's book the China Study, the study showed a much higher rate of fractures in Western societies. Think about this probability: heavier weight people fall they are going to smack the ground with far greater impact than lighter weight people. Maybe this is the greater determining factor in hip fractures, etc? Big ups to to Michael Greger M.D. for bring these important studies to light!

[@swites]

Generally bigger people have more cushioning so chances of breaking a hip for example is actually less.

[@TasteOfButterflies]

Fracture rate is not a great indicator for bone loss because something unrelated, like icy winters or poor walking infrastructure, can increase fall rates and thus fracture rates. Measuring bone density directly is better, when it's possible.

[@tonynes3577]

I eat almost everything except red meat. My father lived till 90yrs and ate everything. My mother was a tiny person. She ate donuts, smoked One cigarette a week and drank coffee. She also lived to 90 yrs. Of course she had Alzheimer's Dementia. Anyway, no need to go vegan for me. I eat everything but intermittent fasting is very beneficial along with no alcohol, good exercise an good sleep.

[@DraynorManor]

damn... imagine if they went vegan would be 130 yrs old

[@chimera2116]

What a series of confusing and inconclusive studies. In many of the studies, they are comparing vegetarians with vegans which is comparing groups who both consume animal products just different ones. The study mentioned with the vegans vs. vegetarians was not that large to draw a reasonable conclusion. I don't see the purpose of even presenting this video except to muddy the water. The quality of this website continues to decline.

[@minifix]

Taking a balanced view of the nuances in the research is "muddying the water"? I'm sorry reality isn't as black and white as you would like it to be. Personally this is the kind of Nutritionfacts content I like the most, precisely because it isn't about cherry picking or categorical statements - it's about finding the truth. This is a sign of high quality content, not low.

[@TasteOfButterflies]

Nutrition is a hard and confusing field with many confounding factors and uncertain answers. I don't think this website made it that way, though.