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The MIRA2 examine performed on the College of Helsinki investigated bone metabolism and the consumption of vitamins crucial to bone well being, reminiscent of calcium, vitamin D and protein. The examine concerned youngsters residing in Helsinki aged between two and 7 who adopted a vegan, vegetarian or omnivorous weight loss program, in addition to their caregivers.
The findings are printed within the European Journal of Diet.
The examine topics following a vegan weight loss program adhered nearly with out exception additionally to the suggestions on the consumption of dietary dietary supplements and fortified meals, and so they had on common sufficient vitamin D and calcium intakes.
The kids on a vegan weight loss program had larger vitamin D consumption than these on an omnivorous or a vegetarian weight loss program resulting from extra energetic consumption of vitamin D dietary supplements with larger doses. On common, vitamin D standing measured from blood was additionally sufficient in all weight loss program teams.
The examine discovered that the extra plant-based diets, particularly vegan and vegetarian ones, had been in adults related to larger concentrations of bone formation and resorption markers, which can point out accelerated bone metabolism.
In distinction, extra plant-based diets amongst youngsters had been related to larger parathyroid hormone concentrations, which have been related to extra energetic bone resorption. Whereas these observations can point out long-term adversarial results on bone well being, their medical significance is unclear.
“The calcium naturally occurring in plant-based foods is fairly poorly absorbed. In fact, the widespread vitamin D and calcium fortification of plant-based dairy alternatives in Finland is important for the adequate intake of these nutrients among vegans and, consequently, for their bone health,” says Docent Suvi Itkonen from the College of Agriculture and Forestry, College of Helsinki.
Many worldwide research have raised considerations in regards to the potential adversarial results of vegan diets on bone well being. Nevertheless, these research have sometimes focused populations the place vitamin D consumption is low, the number of vegan merchandise available on the market is slim, and the consumption of fortified meals or dietary dietary supplements is much less widespread than in Finland.
Vegan diets require cautious planning, particularly for kids
The researchers discovered that vegans and vegetarians had decrease protein consumption in comparison with those that adopted an omnivorous weight loss program, though on common it was sufficient. Proteins are composed of amino acids.
“It’s possible that the poorer absorption and different amino acid composition of plant-based proteins compared to animal proteins partly explain the observed differences in bone metabolism, but more research is needed on the topic. In fact, we will next investigate amino acid intake among the MIRA2 subjects and the amino acid composition of vegan diets,” Itkonen says.
The MIRA2 dataset was collected in Helsinki, the place vegan meals in daycare facilities and varied vegan meals merchandise are abundantly out there. The households who participated within the examine had been nicely versed in pointers for vitamin D supplementation and fortified meals consumption.
“People in the Helsinki Metropolitan Area live in a kind of veggie bubble. Due to that, one has to keep in mind that the findings of the study are not directly applicable to the populations of other regions or countries,” Itkonen factors out.
The vitamin suggestions printed final autumn emphasize a predominantly plant-based weight loss program, limiting meat consumption and moderating milk consumption.
If a meals is completely excluded from the weight loss program, it is very important substitute it with nutritionally complete alternate options. When planning a vegan weight loss program for kids and adolescents, a go to to a registered dietitian is beneficial.
“In terms of bone health, it is essential when consuming plant-based drinks and yogurt-like products to choose the option fortified with calcium and vitamin D,” Itkonen notes.
“Children should take a daily vitamin D supplement throughout the year. If the daily diet contains no margarines, dairy products or plant-based drinks fortified with vitamin D, and if fish is eaten less than two to three times per week, it’s important to ensure adequate vitamin D intake, especially during the dark season, by taking a vitamin D supplement. Among vegans, the need for vitamin D supplementation is common.”
Different findings within the MIRA2 examine associated to, amongst different issues, lipid metabolism, metabolomics and the consumption of different vitamins shall be printed sooner or later.
Extra info:
Suvi T. Itkonen et al, Bone and mineral metabolism in 2–7-year-old Finnish youngsters and their caregivers following vegan, vegetarian, and omnivorous diets, European Journal of Diet (2025). DOI: 10.1007/s00394-025-03758-y
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Fortified meals and dietary dietary supplements key to bone well being in vegan diets, says examine (2025, September 12)
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