Protein
and Osteoporosis
Bone mineral density was
measured at the lumbar spine and femoral neck in 258 postmenopausal vegetarian
Taiwanese Buddhist nuns and female religious followers of Buddhism. There
was a significant positive correlation between energy intake from protein
and lumbar spine BMD. Other nutrients, including calcium and energy intake
from nonprotein sources, did not correlate significantly with BMD.
Compared with short-term vegans, long-term vegans were at higher risk of
exceeding lumbar spine fracture threshold (adjusted odds ratio = 2.48)
and of being classified as having osteopenia of the femoral neck (adjusted
odds ratio = 3.94). These results suggest that protein deficiency may promote
the development of osteoporosis and that long-term female vegans may be
at increased risk of developing bone loss.
(Chiu
JF, et al, Long-term Vegetarian Diet and Bone Mineral Density in Postmenopausal
Taiwanese Women, Cacif Tissue Int 1997;60:245-249)
*
Comment:
Several studies correlating dietary protein and bone density are reported
in the Health Equations Newsletter, Vol.5, Fall 1998, page 8. Those studies
show decreased femoral density is dependent on the amount of protein in
the diet. This study demonstrates the same for the density of the femoral
neck and the spine and is specific to vegans. The "Comment" from the Fall
of '98 is worth repeating here: "Minerals are deposited in a protein matrix
within the bone. If there is insufficient dietary protein the body cannot
maintain this protein matrix. The Health Equations Blood Test Evaluation
has demonstrated for years that protein deficiency is as significant a
factor in osteoporosis as is calcium deficiency. The importance of protein
in maintaining bone density is confirmed by these studies."
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