Thiruvananthapuram: Women from vegan-dominated areas of Fort are more susceptible to fractures due to osteoporosis, say doctors across the city. On the eve of osteoporosis day on Thursday, free bone density testing was conducted in several hospitals. Vegans formed a majority of the osteoporosis cases. "It is no coincidence that we find more fractures in people from vegan-dominated areas. They do not consume animal protein and the calcium intake also is less. The use of curd, milk and paneer could have limited the possibilities of fractures but there seem to be many lacto-vegetarians,” said of Dr Sajan Jerome of Jubilee hospital.
Women with osteoporosis in the city are generally afraid of needles and hence they refrain from taking anabolic injections until they get fractures. “Women, especially those who are menopausal come with fractures on the spine, hipbone and wrist. Osteoporosis injections should be taken for around 18 months or more depending on the severity,” said Dr Jerome added. As per the latest studies, men also are increasingly becoming susceptible to osteoporosis.
This happens due to the low level of testosterone, obesity and sedentary life habits. “In modern workplaces, people are less exposed to sunlight and hence most of them have Vitamin D deficiency. This also affects bone health,” he added. The calcium bank of people reaches completion when they become 20 to 21 years old. So, with care in diet, osteoporosis that is not caused by genetic factors and estrogen deficiency can be prevented.
