Fracture Risk in Vegetarians and Vegans: the Role of Diet and Metabolic Factors

There is strong evidence that poor dietary intake of certain micro- and macro-nutrients can negatively affect bone health. It is unclear if diet is the primary culprit for poor bone health in the vegan population.

Plant-based diets are gaining public interest since they may improve metabolic health. Studies that examine vegetarians and vegans together show a lower bone mineral density (BMD), but not always increased fracture risk compared to omnivores. However, vegans consistently have higher risk of fracture at multiple bone sites, especially at the hip. There is higher fracture risk in vegans which may be due to calcium and vitamin D intake, as well as amount of dietary protein and quality. Other nutrients (B vitamins, Se, Zn, Fe, iodine) or physiological factors (lower body mass index, microbiome, or endocrine profile) may also play a role but have not been examined and require further study.