Published Letters and Op-Eds from COK’s Writers Group

Calcium for vegans

USA Today
August 13, 2009

As a physician and vegetarian who eats a predominantly vegan diet, I was glad to see the article on the nutritional aspects of veganism ("Vegan diets: A bone of contention," Life, Monday). Speaking from personal experience, I know that it is not difficult to receive adequate amounts of calcium with a strictly plant-based diet.

Most fortified soy milks and rice milks are supplemented with calcium, and many fruits and vegetables also contain calcium.Additionally, making lifestyle changes, such as reducing smoking and alcohol consumption, and increasing weight-bearing exercise, can increase bone density.

Getting adequate amounts of calcium doesn't just boil down to whether one consumes a vegan vs. a non-vegan diet.

Sujatha Ramakrishna, M.D. - Oak Park, Ill.