Animal Protein Linked to Healthier Bones

Many proponents of the acid-alkaline theory of health believe that animal protein is acid forming because if you bake it in an oven acid ash is what is left. Such people then go on to claim that since animal protein is acid forming it leeches calcium out of bones and causes bone loss, even though not a single study has ever demonstrated this happening. A new study once again proves them wrong. Animal protein intake is directly linked to fewer fractures in adults over the age of 65.

The study compared 167 adults over the age of 65 with a recent fracture to an aged-matched control group without fracture. They found that animal protein was better than vegetable protein for healthier bones. And higher total protein intake was better than low protein intake. In fact, individuals with less that 15 percent of their calories as protein were almost three times more likely to have a fracture than those with higher protein intake.

Thankfully, the human body is not an oven. If you consume animal protein and you exercise, that protein contributes significantly to physical rejuvenation, not to acid pH. Better muscles lead to better bones and better fitness in general. This is not terribly difficult to understand.

It is interesting that the "protein is bad for bones" wives' tale is so pervasive in alternative health circles. The only studies that show harm to bones with high animal protein are those that also involve high sugar intake and junk food. All such studies prove is that a diet full of garbage is bad for your bones.

You need protein for metabolic and body rejuvenating horsepower. To buffer that horsepower you need alkalizing minerals such as magnesium. Thus, when you eat a diet of fresh fruit and vegetables and moderate animal protein, then your bones do just fine.

Remember, your bones are 50 percent collagen and that collagen comes from the protein in your diet. Animal protein contains many other tissue and bone support nutrients that simply do not exist in vegetable protein sources. It’s fine with me if someone prefers to eat a non-meat, non-animal diet. But understand that doing so is not because vegetable protein sources are superior for human health. In fact, those who eat primarily vegetable proteins will have a harder time rejuvenating any body tissue, be it skin, tendons, ligaments, muscles, or bones.

Of course there is a quality of animal protein issue in this country, and I would advocate only for high quality animal protein consumption. One of the best sources of animal protein is whey protein. Whey protein has been proven to activate muscle repair following exercise. Whey protein is known to stimulate bone-building osteoblasts. It has been proven to help form strong bone micro-architecture. It has also been proven to help young women improve bone density and it has been proven in healthy postmenopausal women to significantly add bone density.