Bone Health Diet

Studies attempting to uncover the effects of high animal protein intake on the risk of osteoporosis have produced confusing and contradictory results. The same is true of studies attempting to find out whether vegetarians are protected against osteoporosis. Moreover, while some studies report that protein supplementation lowers death rates and shortens hospital stays or reduces bone loss among people with osteoporosis, others have found that such supplementation is of little value.

These conflicting findings may occur in part because dietary protein produces opposing effects on bone. On one hand, dietary protein increases the loss of calcium in urine, which should increase the risk of osteoporosis. On the other hand, normal bone formation requires adequate dietary protein, and low dietary protein intake has been associated with low bone mineral density. Current research shows that finding the line between too much protein and too little protein remains elusive, though extremes in protein intake—either high or low—might possibly increase the risk of osteoporosis.

Short-term increases in dietary salt result in increased urinary calcium loss, which suggests that over time, salt intake may cause bone loss. Increasing dietary salt has increased markers of bone loss in postmenopausal (though not premenopausal) women. Although a definitive link between salt intake and osteoporosis has not yet been proven, many doctors recommend that people wishing to protect themselves against bone loss use less salt and eat fewer processed and restaurant foods, which tend to be highly salted...