Bone Loss

[Steve]

What are your thoughts on high protein diets and their impact on bone loss?

What constitutes high protein... by that, I mean high enough to impact bone loss?

Should we be supplementing calcium into our diets?

[jackieleigh]

I dont know your exact answer Steve but I do know that weight training is GREAT for bone density. I have early onset osteoporosis and my doc told me weight training is one of the best things I can be doing for myself (other than calcium)

[Steve]

I dont know your exact answer Steve but I do know that weight training is GREAT for bone density. I have early onset osteoporosis and my doc told me weight training is one of the best things I can be doing for myself (other than calcium)

Certainly.

I am sure resistance training negates net bone loss from high protein. However, is supplementation of calcium critical?

[jackieleigh]

Certainly.

I am sure resistance training negates net bone loss from high protein. However, is supplementation of calcium critical?


Critical? I would say no, unless you are like me and already have low bone density. And for males I would think even less so, women tend to lose more bone mass as they age then men do

[Inatic]

keeping your hormones in check also plays into it. I know low thyroid hormones can also bring on early osteo too.

[mich56]

Not critical to use a Calcium supplement.. You eat broccoli and almonds??

If so, you get plenty of calcium in those two alone to give you ample calcium requirements.

[Cindy Day]

Steve - it's my understanding that those that believe high protein causes bone loss also believe that protein leaches the calcium out of the bone. Not sure calcium supplements would be the answer.

In my experience it's not high protein but hormones that cause the osteo. :shrug:

A snipit from the artical Radgirl put up (and I've read similar elsewhere):


Disordered eating keeps the body from getting adequate nutrition, and low calorie intake can lead to hormonal changes that cause amenorrhea. And, amenorrhea lowers the levels of estrogen, a hormone responsible for bone development, increasing the likelihood of bone fractures and breaks.

[Fitaftertwins]

Ok, I hope this is right from what I remember from a basic nutrition class a long time ago, hopefully someone else can chime in....this is not my area
but isn't it about calcium balance--the difference between how much calcium you take in and how much you excrete? Can't you be in calcium balance even if your intake is low but your excretion is also low? I think calcium balance is affected by acid-base balance in the body, so acidic foods will cause you to lose more calcium in your urine (meat, caffiene, cheese) and alkaline foods (green veggies) will cause you to retain more calcium.
Anyone else can explain it better? I know there is more to it than this.
Thanks

[thefuture]

I dont know your exact answer Steve but I do know that weight training is GREAT for bone density. I have early onset osteoporosis and my doc told me weight training is one of the best things I can be doing for myself (other than calcium)

My grandmother & my mom both have osteoporosis. I had my bone density checked about 7 years ago and it had started to decrease. I have now increased the density because of weights but I also take prescription meds for it. It's called Actenol.

[Ana]

Ok, I hope this is right from what I remember from a basic nutrition class a long time ago, hopefully someone else can chime in....this is not my area
but isn't it about calcium balance--the difference between how much calcium you take in and how much you excrete? Can't you be in calcium balance even if your intake is low but your excretion is also low? I think calcium balance is affected by acid-base balance in the body, so acidic foods will cause you to lose more calcium in your urine (meat, caffiene, cheese) and alkaline foods (green veggies) will cause you to retain more calcium.
Anyone else can explain it better? I know there is more to it than this.
Thanks
My doctor told me this exact thing just last night :)

[jackieleigh]

My grandmother & my mom both have osteoporosis. I had my bone density checked about 7 years ago and it had started to decrease. I have now increased the density because of weights but I also take prescription meds for it. It's called Actenol.

My ob/gyn wanted me on prescription meds too, but I refused. I am WAY to young to be on meds for it, and she said I could control it without them



Quote:
Disordered eating keeps the body from getting adequate nutrition, and low calorie intake can lead to hormonal changes that cause amenorrhea. And, amenorrhea lowers the levels of estrogen, a hormone responsible for bone development, increasing the likelihood of bone fractures and breaks.


This is EXACTLY what happened to me

[Erik]

Bone mineral density isn't the best measure of osteoportic risk. They usually use a combo of BMD and vertebral fracture occurence to determine the status of one's bone health.

There's no data that shows that protein intake causes osteoporosis. High fruit and vegetable intake correlates well with good bone health though.

High calcium excretion is caused by low-grade chronic metabolic acidosis - calcium is a base. (osteoblasts decrease and osteoclasts increase). So while high protein intake is 'acid forming' so is a high grain intake. Fruits and vegetables counteract this by being more alkaline.

And I've read that although higher protein intakes can increase acid formation, the high protein intake also increases the body's ability to get rid of it as well.

[Steve]

Bone mineral density isn't the best measure of osteoportic risk. They usually use a combo of BMD and vertebral fracture occurence to determine the status of one's bone health.

There's no data that shows that protein intake causes osteoporosis. High fruit and vegetable intake correlates well with good bone health though.

High calcium excretion is caused by low-grade chronic metabolic acidosis - calcium is a base. (osteoblasts decrease and osteoclasts increase). So while high protein intake is 'acid forming' so is a high grain intake. Fruits and vegetables counteract this by being more alkaline.

And I've read that although higher protein intakes can increase acid formation, the high protein intake also increases the body's ability to get rid of it as well.

Interesting. Thanks.

[radgirl]

Honestly, if we are strictly talking nutrition here, I think it still boils down to a balanced diet. If you are eating healthfully most of the time (granted that there isn't any genetic predisposition) then you should be ok. As far as high protein, I would imagine it would have to be pretty HIGH to have any negative side effects on overall blood calcium.

[gluteus maximus]

I do take calcium supplements.

I thought I had heard they are useless if you combine them with other supplements, but can't remember if it was iron, or something else.

So I play it safe, and take it between meals, and before bed.

[Ana]

yes Michaelee I believe Iron impedes calcium absorbtion

[gluteus maximus]

yes Michaelee I believe Iron impedes calcium absorbtion

I knew it! I'll make sure it's not taken around my MV