There is a common believe that raw food vegetarians are inclined to having osteoporosis due to a lower bone mass. It is true that those who practice a raw food diet have thinner bones with lower mineral density. However it is the only biological marker that usually indicates a case of increased chance for bone fractures.

Statistically, in spite of lighter bones, turnover rates for people on the raw food diet are normal. Calcium, the important component for building bones, can still be acquired by juicing vegetable greens. They also contain magnesium and chlorophyll, which promote the uptake of calcium.

Vitamin D also helps formatting and maintaining strong bones. It regulates the absorption of calcium and phosphorus and keeps their levels (in blood) at normal. Vitamin D can be found in food or produced in our bodies by exposure to ultraviolet rays from the sun. Sunbathing will trigger vitamin D synthesis in the skin. To maintain healthy bones while being on the raw food diet one has to do it regularly.

This entry was posted on Friday, August 24th, 2007 at 2:14 pm and is filed under Raw Food Discussions. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.