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Dietary protein intake and bone mineral content in adolescents—The Copenhagen Cohort Study

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Abstract

Summary

Data indicate that various protein sources may exhibit a differential effect on bone metabolism. We investigated associations of milk and meat protein intake with bone mineral content (BMC) in adolescents. Milk, but not meat, protein intake was positively associated with size-adjusted BMC. Milk-derived protein may be beneficial for bone mineralization.

Introduction

Milk and meat protein intake has been reported to exhibit a differential effect on serum insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I). IGF-I plays a key role in bone metabolism. Therefore, we investigated associations of different protein sources with BMC and bone area (BA) in adolescents.

Methods

This was a cross-sectional study of 17-year-old girls (n = 63) and boys (n = 46) participating in the second follow-up of The Copenhagen Cohort Study. We measured dietary intake (7-day food record), BMC and BA (dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry), serum markers for bone turnover and serum IGF-I (immunoassays).

Results

The mean total protein intake (∼1.2 g/kg) was modestly higher than that recommended. Total and milk (∼0.3 g/kg) protein intake, but not meat protein intake (∼0.4 g/kg), was positively associated with size-adjusted BMC (P ≤ 0.05). The positive association between milk protein intake and size-adjusted BMC remained significant after correction for energy, calcium, and physical activity (P ≤ 0.01) and did not seem to be mediated via current serum IGF-I. None of the analyzed protein sources was significantly associated with size-adjusted BA.

Conclusions

Our results suggest that some components of milk protein may promote bone mineralization. Further studies are needed to elucidate this phenomenon.

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Acknowledgments

We thank V.J. Anker, M. Ege, B. Hermansen and H. Lysdal Petersen for their contributions to data collection and T. Mark for valuable discussions. The study was supported by the Danish Medical Research Council, the Danish Dairy Research Foundation, and a Ph.D. scholarship (University of Copenhagen). None of the authors had financial or personal conflict of interest related to this study.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Human Nutrition, Faculty of Life Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Rolighedsvej 30, 1958, Frederiksberg, Denmark

    A. Z. Budek, C. Hoppe, H. Ingstrup, K. F. Michaelsen, S. Bügel & C. Mølgaard

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  1. A. Z. Budek
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  2. C. Hoppe
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  3. H. Ingstrup
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  4. K. F. Michaelsen
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Correspondence to A. Z. Budek.

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Budek, A.Z., Hoppe, C., Ingstrup, H. et al. Dietary protein intake and bone mineral content in adolescents—The Copenhagen Cohort Study. Osteoporos Int 18, 1661–1667 (2007). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00198-007-0422-0

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00198-007-0422-0

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