RT Journal
A1 SCHARFFENBERG JA
T1 VEgetarian diets
JF American Journal of Diseases of Children
JO American Journal of Diseases of Children
YR 1979
FD November 1
VO 133
IS 11
SP 1204
OP 1204
DO 10.1001/archpedi.1979.02130110112031
UL http://dx.doi.org/10.1001/archpedi.1979.02130110112031
AB Sir.—I wish to comment on the articles by Finberg (133:129, 1979), Dwyer et al (133:134-140, 1979), and Zmora et al (133:141-144, 1979) on "vegetarian" diets in the February issue of the Journal. The term "vegetarian" implies all vegetarians whereas in most instances it was only the "strict" or "total" vegetarians in whom there was a problem. "Vegetarian rickets" is an inaccurate term. God made the sun to shine on the vegetarian as well as on the flesh-eater, even in Boston. Most vegetarians do not get rickets. Some who eat meat and some who do not may get rickets but not because they eat meat or vegetables. Calcium lack should not be related either to a vegetable diet or to a meat diet. Meat is lacking in calcium. Greens provide considerable calcium. A high protein diet, as in a meat diet, increases urinary excretion of calcium1 and thus increases