December 30, 2002
NUTRITION NEWS FOCUS
"Nutrition news is important.  We help you understand it!"

Today's Topic: Protein and Bone Density

Many people believe that high protein or animal protein intake has a
negative effect on bones by causing excretion of more calcium in the
urine.  However, the science behind this is controversial and
contradictory.

A study of over 900 people aged 55 to 92 years in California asked
about diet and four years later measured bone mineral density.
Greater animal protein intake was associated with higher bone mineral
density in women, and higher vegetable protein consumption was linked
to lower bone density in both sexes.  The group studied are generally
much healthier than the rest of the population with lesser overweight
and smoking but more exercise and calcium intake.  The study was
published in the April 1, 2002 edition of the American Journal of
Epidemiology.
< http://aje.oupjournals.org/cgi/content/abstract/155/7/636 >

HERE'S WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW: This is one of the
better studies on this topic, in part because three specific bones and
total body bone mineral density were studied.  In addition, calcium
intake was controlled for in the analyses.  This study suggests that
more animal protein (from meat, poultry, fish, and dairy) is good for
your bones.


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