Resistance Training Can Help Support Bone Strength In Plant-Based Eaters, Says New Study

If you follow a vegan diet, listen up. Any form of exercise is going to be a positive addition to a healthy routine, but there's one form of activity in particular that may be beneficial for better bone health: resistance training.

There are many health benefits to a vegan diet: It's heavily reliant on plants, helping you to reach your veggie intake goals each day, not to mention nutrient density as well (hello, vitamins, minerals, phytonutrients, etc.). However, the reality is that those who follow a vegan diet are missing out on dairy—one of the most significant sources of protein, calcium, and vitamin D. What's more, science has shown that vegans are more likely to struggle with bone density issues and weakness2. 

With this, the observational study of European women and men followed 43 healthy vegans and 45 healthy omnivores, evaluating their nutrition intake, bone makeup, and physical activity. Given a 3D assessment of bone composition and structure (called pQCT), serum markers of bone turnover, their diet, and training style, the results revealed that in people who followed a vegan diet, those who were not engaging in resistance training reported a diminished bone makeup. 

However, in both omnivores and plant-based eaters who resistance trained, the bone structure was remarkably similar. While the study does not prove this, it does suggest that resistance training may help cancel out some of the challenges of vegan eating on your bones. Therefore this form of exercise may be most effective in plant-based eaters looking to support bone density, strength, and longevity.

There are a multitude of habits to apply to your daily routine to support healthy bones, and one of the best things you can do for your overall well-being is take a comprehensive multivitamin. For bone and whole-body health, we recommend mbg's ultimate multivitamin+.