Protein Consumption Helps Maintain Bone Mineral Density Among The Elderly

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Protein Consumption Helps Maintain Bone Mineral Density Among The Elderly

A DGReview of : " Effect of Dietary Protein on Bone Loss in Elderly Men and

Women: The Framingham Osteoporosis Study "

Journal of Bone and Mineral Research

01/11/2001

By Mark Greener

Protein consumption helps either maintain bone mineral density (BMD) or

minimizes bone loss in the elderly, report researchers from Harvard Medical

School, Boston University and Tufts University, Massachusetts, USA, based on

the Framingham Osteoporosis Study.

There are few studies that evaluate the relationship between protein intake

and bone mineral density (BMD) in the elderly. Nevertheless, some studies

suggest that excessive protein consumption may promote a negative calcium

balance. In contrast, low protein intakes may increase fracture risk.

Against this background, this study enrolled 391 women and 224 men, aged on

average 75 years, to better characterise the relationship between dietary

protein intake and BMD. Researchers assessed femoral, spinal and radial BMD

in 1988-1989 and again in 1992-1993. They used a semi-quantitative food

frequency questionnaire to determine usual dietary protein intake.

The mean protein intake was 68 g daily and those enrolled obtained 16

percent of their energy from protein. Men and women consumed,

proportionally, similar amounts of protein.

Lower protein intake emerged as being significantly associated with femoral

and spinal bone loss. Indeed, the authors noted that the effects are similar

to 10 pounds of weight. Moreover, persons in the lowest quartile of protein

intake showed the greatest bone loss. Furthermore, patients with a lower

percentage of dietary animal protein showed significantly lower femoral and

spinal BMD. These relationships remained after controlling for confounders,

including weight loss.

The authors concluded that among women and men, relatively low protein

intake is associated with increased bone loss. The authors suggested that

protein intake helps either maintain BMD or minimizes bone loss among the

elderly. They also noted that higher animal protein intake does not seem to

undermine the skeleton in elderly people.

J Bone Miner Res 2000;15:2504-2512. " Effect of Dietary Protein on Bone Loss

in Elderly Men and Women: The Framingham Osteoporosis Study "