Vegetarians are 33% more likely to break a hip, study finds

A study by the University of Leeds, UK, points out that vegetarian women are 33% more likely to break their hips compared to women who eat meat regularly.

According to the study, factors that may justify the occurrence are the BMI (body mass index), which is often lower in people who do not eat meat, and the lower consumption of nutrients important for bone health.

The study sample, published this month in the journal BMC Medicine, included more than 20,000 women, who were followed for nearly two decades. During this period, the 822 cases of hip fracture recorded in the group were statistically more expressive among those who did not consume meat.

According to Vitor Magalhães, an orthopedist specializing in the hip and a member of the SBOT (Brazilian Society of Orthopedics and Traumatology), low body mass is commonly one of the factors that can influence the occurrence of fractures.

“The patient’s greater body mass is a protective factor during a fall, because it ends up helping to cushion the impact. Already reduced muscle mass weakens the muscles, which can lead to imbalances and more frequent falls”, he says.

Still, the expert warns that osteoporosis, a condition that makes bones fragile and therefore more prone to breakage, is multifactorial and not just related to body weight or diet. Family history, excessive consumption of alcohol or cigarettes, as well as lack of physical exercise can influence the development of the disease.

Another factor that interferes with the greater probability of hip breakage, according to the doctor, is aging. Magalhães explains that, over the years, the bones become increasingly weak and inflexible.

“We exchange about 10% of our bone mass per year. This process happens constantly”, he explains. “Over the years, this exchange of the bone skeleton decreases and it becomes fragile, porous and less flexible. Therefore, it ends up breaking more easily. It is something progressive”.

In the University of Leeds study, participants were aged between 35 and 69. The fact that they were all women and mostly white was one of the limitations pointed out by the researchers involved, which reinforced the importance of other studies taking into account the male audience and individuals of other ethnicities.

The orthopedist says that osteoporosis is more common in women due to hormonal factors. After menopause there is a decrease in the rate of hormones, which contributes to the decrease in bone mass.

As for the consumption of nutrients that are good for bone health, pointed out by the study as a possible factor that explains the difference in the probability of hip breakage between vegetarians and women who ate meat regularly, functional vegetarian nutritionist Shila Minari points out that it is important to be aware of intake. adequate calcium, magnesium, iron and vitamins C, D and B12.

“Even though we understand that a vegetarian diet can increase the risk of fractures, it is still very well established that this is a type of diet that contributes to a lower risk of cancer, diabetes and cardiovascular disease”, he says. Minari. “In addition, it improves longevity and helps maintain a BMI within the normal range. We just need to pay attention to this potential increased risk,” she says.

According to the nutritionist, the ideal is to eat lots of vegetables, legumes and nuts, with a diversified diet rich in calcium. “People who adopt vegetarian diets, especially restricted or vegan diets, need to be more concerned about vitamin B12. A deficiency in it increases the production of a substance that we do not metabolize, called homocysteine, which worsens bone health.”

In this case, Minari indicates supplementation, as long as it is done under medical supervision. The professional also emphasizes the importance of physical exercise and adequate exposure to the sun.

The study authors point out that the result corroborated the findings of two other similar studies, one also done in the United Kingdom and another in the United States, which also indicated the highest risk in vegetarians.