Bad to the bone? Maybe not

Vegetarian Times, Nov-Dec, 2004

The notion that high-protein diets are bad for bones may be nonsense, according to the Tufts University Bone Metabolism Laboratory. Researchers there have found that the excess protein may in fact make bones stronger. Their study, reported in the March 2004 issue of The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism, is especially timely considering the popularity of low-carb/high-protein diets.

A major protein increase didn't decrease calcium, as the conventional wisdom would have it. Instead, it appeared to slow the normal process by which bones are broken down. The findings do not in themselves support low-carb diets, lead researcher Bess Dawson-Hughes, MD, is quick to point out. "Many nutrients contribute to healthy bones," she says, "and a balanced diet, rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains and protein, is one of the best ways to be sure yours are strong."