Vitamin D, Calcium & Protein Involved in Bone Health
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By
VRP Staff
A new study indicates that protein may actually build bone as long as calcium and vitamin D intake is adequate.
Researchers investigated the effect of calcium citrate malate, vitamin D and protein intake on bone mineral density in a group of 342 healthy men and women 65 years or older who had completed a 3-year, randomized, placebo-controlled trial of calcium and vitamin D supplementation. Halfway through the study, researchers assessed the amount of protein consumed based on a food frequency questionnaire. They measured bone mineral density every six months. The researchers found that higher protein intake was significantly associated with an increase in total body bone mineral density only in the group supplemented with calcium and vitamin D but not in the placebo group.
The authors conclude that BMD in older men and women may be improved by increasing protein intake provided that subjects meet the currently recommended intakes of calcium and vitamin D.
These results may explain why some studies indicate that greater consumption of protein can result in decreased risk of bone loss and fracture while others have indicated that protein consumption, particularly high intakes of animal protein, can negatively impact bone mineral density. This study also indicates that anyone consuming adequate protein should also consume vitamin D (unless you receive adequate sun exposure) and calcium.
Reference:
Dawson-Hughes B, Harris SS. Calcium intake influences the association of protein intake with rates of bone loss in elderly men and women. Am J Clin Nutr. 2002 Apr;75(4):773-9.
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