title: Excess dietary protein may not adversely affect bone.
abstract: Too little protein is always harmful for the skeleton. Increasing dietary protein increases endogenous calcium excretion. The ability to adapt depends upon the adequacy of an individual's calcium intake. At a population level, the effect of protein is often minimized because calcium intake rises with increasing protein intake. A dietary calcium-to-protein ratio >/=20:1 (mg:g) probably provides adequate protection for the skeleton. Excess protein will not harm the skeleton if the calcium intake is adequate.
authors.affiliation: Creighton University, Omaha, NE 68178, USA.
authors.forename: R P
authors.initials: RP
authors.lastname: Heaney
mesh_terms: D001842:Bone and Bones / Q000187:drug effects*; D002118:Calcium / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000652:urine; D004032:Diet; D004044:Dietary Proteins / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000494:pharmacology; D006801:Humans
chemical_list: D004044:Dietary Proteins; D002118:Calcium