Dietary protein and phosphorus do not affect calcium absorption.
BACKGROUND
Variation in absorption efficiency explains more of the variability in calcium balance than does actual calcium intake. Several investigators have suggested that the relatively high phosphorus and protein intakes of the diets of industrialized nations reduce calcium absorption and thereby aggravate the problem of calcium deficiency.


OBJECTIVE
My objective was to test whether variation in phosphorus and protein intakes is associated with variation in calcium absorption.


METHODS
One hundred ninety-one Roman Catholic nuns aged 48.7 +/- 7.0 y were studied approximately 3 times each over a >20-y period with a full metabolic balance regimen; controlled, chemically analyzed diets; and double-tracer measurement of calcium absorption.


RESULTS
Although the expected associations with absorption were found for age, calcium intake, and estrogen status, no association was observed for intakes of either phosphorus or protein.


CONCLUSIONS
Phosphorus and protein intakes do not contribute to the wide variability in calcium absorption efficiency.
Heaney
R P
RP
Creighton University Osteoporosis Research Center, Omaha, NE 68131, USA. rheaney@creighton.edu
D000042:Absorption / Q000187:drug effects; D000328:Adult; D002118:Calcium / Q000493:pharmacokinetics*; D004032:Diet; D004044:Dietary Proteins / Q000494:pharmacology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D010758:Phosphorus / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*
D004044:Dietary Proteins; D010758:Phosphorus; D002118:Calcium