Is Protein Intake Associated with Bone Mineral Density in Young Women?

Overview

Journal Am J Clin Nutr

Publisher Elsevier

Specialty Nutritional Sciences

Date 2010 Mar 12

PMID 20219968

Citations 15

Authors

Jeannette M Beasley

Laura E Ichikawa

Brett A Ange

Leslie Spangler

Andrea Z LaCroix

Susan M Ott

Delia Scholes

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

Background: The range of protein intakes for optimizing bone health among premenopausal women is unclear. Protein is a major constituent of bone, but acidic amino acids may promote bone resorption.

Objective: The objective was to examine cross-sectional and longitudinal associations between baseline dietary protein and bone mineral density (BMD) among 560 females aged 14-40 y at baseline enrolled in a Pacific Northwest managed-care organization. The role of protein source (animal or vegetable) and participant characteristics were considered.

Design: Dietary protein intake was assessed by using a semiquantitative food-frequency questionnaire in participants enrolled in a study investigating associations between hormonal contraceptive use and bone health. Annual changes in hip, spine, and whole-body BMD were measured by using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry. Cross-sectional and longitudinal associations between baseline protein intake (% of energy) and BMD were examined by using linear regression analysis and generalized estimating equations adjusted for confounders.

Results: The mean (+/-SD) protein intake at baseline was 15.5 +/- 3.2%. After multivariable adjustment, the mean BMD was similar across each tertile of protein intake. In cross-sectional analyses, low vegetable protein intake was associated with a lower BMD (P = 0.03 for hip, P = 0.10 for spine, and P = 0.04 for whole body). For every percentage increase in the percentage of energy from protein, no significant longitudinal changes in BMD were observed at any anatomic site over the follow-up period.

Conclusions: Data from this longitudinal study suggest that a higher protein intake does not have an adverse effect on bone in premenopausal women. Cross-sectional analyses suggest that low vegetable protein intake is associated with lower BMD.

Citing Articles

The Effect of Protein Intake on Bone Disease, Kidney Disease, and Sarcopenia: A Systematic Review.

Lamina T, Brandt S, Abdi H, Yam H, Hayi A, Parikh R Curr Dev Nutr. 2025; 9(3):104546.

PMID: 40078350 PMC: 11894306. DOI: 10.1016/j.cdnut.2025.104546.

Dietary protein and bone health across the life-course: an updated systematic review and meta-analysis over 40 years.

Darling A, Manders R, Sahni S, Zhu K, Hewitt C, Prince R Osteoporos Int. 2019; 30(4):741-761.

PMID: 30903209 DOI: 10.1007/s00198-019-04933-8.

High protein consumption in trained women: bad to the bone?.

Antonio J, Ellerbroek A, Evans C, Silver T, Peacock C J Int Soc Sports Nutr. 2018; 15:6.

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Determinants of bone mineral density in young Australian women; results from the Safe-D study.

Callegari E, Garland S, Gorelik A, Wark J Osteoporos Int. 2017; 28(9):2619-2631.

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Prediction of bone mineral density and content from measures of physical activity and sedentary behavior in younger and older females.

Braun S, Kim Y, Jetton A, Kang M, Morgan D Prev Med Rep. 2016; 2:300-5.

PMID: 26844085 PMC: 4721477. DOI: 10.1016/j.pmedr.2015.04.012.

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