It is the deficiency of calcium in bones induced by greater intake of protein rich diet, especially meat. Protein rich meat breaks down into amino acids, which circulate in our blood, making it more acidic. The body switches on its inherent system of neutralising acids, by adding calcium to blood, taken from the bones. It leads to a cascading effect; as more the proteins we eat, more the calcium, the bones are bound to loose. Although dairy products are a good source of calcium their high protein content also causes loss of calcium from the bones.
It is further corroborated by the fact that women in Asia are less likely to suffer from ostereoposis, than their American or European counterparts. It is equally true for that segment of population in the West, which exercises more than that in the East. The reason is easily traced to near vegetarian diet of Asian population. When studies were conducted on the skeletons of eighteenth century Europeans, even their bones were found to be for more superior than those of the living. This is also directly related to lesser meat intake in those days.
It is important that in order to keep our bones in good shape, we need to have a calcium rich non-animal diet, which can include broccoli, broad beans, Brussels sprouts, cabbage, lettuce, nettles, spinach, watercess, liquorice, marjoram, red clover shoots and thyme etc. But Calcium alone won’t make our bones rich and strong. It needs more vital minerals like magnesium and manganese.
Besides our bones need vitamins D and K. Vitamin D is helpful in absorbing all the calcium we get from green food. A mere exposure of 20 to 30 minutes a day is enough for the supply of Vitamin D. All dark green leafy vegetables like kale, parsley, spinach, green, and cabbage are good sources of Vitamin K.
That was all regarding how animal diet destroys our bones and we hope we’ve made no bones about highlighting the truth.
So, next time you stop at your favourite joint to savour the ‘Chicken- tikka’ just heed our words of caution- "Chickens could be troublesome in your old age."
