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The Negative Effect of a High-Protein–Low-Calcium Diet

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Nutritional Influences on Bone Health

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Abstract

The interdependent influence of the protein and the calcium intake on bone health has been conclusively studied. For obtaining a positive bone effect from nutritional protein, an adequate calcium intake is required, and vice versa. A high-protein intake was first considered as potentially negative for bone, but this fear was not defendable anymore when it became evident that a high-protein intake increases urinary calcium excretion because it stimulates calcium absorption. Protein deficiency was shown to be detrimental to bone, not a high-protein intake. However, some large follow-up studies demonstrated that the combination of a high-protein intake with a low-calcium diet increases fracture risk. This particular nutritional profile seems to be rare, but some cross-sectional studies seem to confirm that.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Hirslanden Clinic/Bois Cerf, Ave.d’Ouchy 31, 1006, Lausanne, VD, Switzerland

    Peter Burckhardt MD

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  1. Peter Burckhardt MD
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Correspondence to Peter Burckhardt MD .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. , Department of Internal Medicine, Hirslanden Clinic/Bois Cerf, Ave. d'Ouchy 31, Lausanne, 1006, Vaud, Switzerland

    Peter Burckhardt

  2. , Human Nutrition Research Center on Aging, Tufts University, 711 Washington Street, Boston, 02111, Massachusetts, USA

    Bess Dawson-Hughes

  3. , Nutrition and Science, Purdue University, W. State Street 700, West Lafayette, 47907-2059, Indiana, USA

    Connie M. Weaver

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Burckhardt, P. (2013). The Negative Effect of a High-Protein–Low-Calcium Diet. In: Burckhardt, P., Dawson-Hughes, B., Weaver, C. (eds) Nutritional Influences on Bone Health. Springer, London. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4471-2769-7_12

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4471-2769-7_12

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