Do you eat a plant-based diet?

[ROSModerator]

Hi there

I'm writing a feature for the charity's members' magazine, Osteoporosis News, about plant-based diets.

We want to highlight that osteoporosis doesn't need to be a barrier to adopting a plant-based diet for those who are interested in doing so.

I'm therefore looking to speak to someone who has been diagnosed with osteoporosis and has since adopted a plant-based diet - and is having a positive experience and feels confident that they are getting all the nutrients they need for good bone health.

If this sounds like you, I'd love to hear from you - please email [e-mail] and we can arrange an initial chat.

Best wishes

Rachael and the ROS team

[HeronNS]

Yes I do. It turned out that I "only" had osteopenia not osteoarthritis, gp misunderstood "low bone mass" on summary report. But I have been a vegetarian for 20 or 30 years, and I did improve my bone density after the OP scare completely naturally, including eating a lot more leafy greens and cutting "white" carbs and added sugars. I eat as natural a diet as possible, avoid chemical additives including artificial sweeteners.

I do consume dairy, about a cup of 2% milk a day for my tea, and cheese at lunchtime or in recipes, also eggs. Lately I make sure to have a small helping of yoghurt or kefir with my bedtime calcium supplement.

[Dogsandme]

Hello Rachel and the ROS team.

I have been a vegetarian for more than 30 years (although I do occassionally eat oily fish - for the Omega 3), so I am not a recent convert after a diagnosis. Recently I was diagnosed as osteopenic and the rhematologist informed my doctor that I should start Alendronic Acid to prevent any further bone loss. I refused and am awaiting an appointment with said Rheumatologist to discuss my options (up to 18 weeks delay as I am not an urgent case!)

I eat a lot of leafy greens, lots of cheese (for K2), have recently started eating 6 prunes a day (for boron) and buy ready cooked vegetarian meals from All Plants, which are excellent.

If, from your discussions with people who have recently changed to an all plant-based diet throw up anything else that we vegetarians should be doing to prevent more bone loss, please would you paste it on here? Btw, I walk every day and do yoga as well. I am 72. (I am afraid, I like chocolate and the odd G&T which I am sure are NOT good for your bones! Haha!) I need to cut those out, I am sure you would advise me!

I look forward to your comments/advice that a diagnosis of osteoporosis not be a barrier to a plant-based diet.

[HeronNS in reply to Dogsandme]

It shouldn't be. In fact I suspect that the calcium, magnesium, silica, and so forth which are readily available in plants are very good for us. But I think exercise is just as important because we need to keep challenging our bones.