Animal Protein May Protect Bone Mineral Density

A positive association between intake of animal protein and bone mineral density (BMD) among women aged 55 years and older was found in a study published in the April 2002 issue of the American Journal of Epidemiology. The study, which involved 572 women, showed that each 15-g/day increase in animal protein intake was linked to an increase in BMD of 0.016 g/cm² at the hip, 0.012 g/cm² at the femoral neck, 0.015 g/cm² at the spine, and 0.010 g/cm² in a total body measurement. In contrast, vegetable protein was negatively associated with BMD.