In older people with osteoporosis , higher protein intake ( ≥ 0.8-g/kg body weight/day , i.e. , above the current RDA ) is associated with higher BMD , a slower rate of bone loss , and reduced risk of hip fracture , provided that dietary calcium intakes are adequate .
Intervention with dietary protein supplements attenuate age-related BMD decrease and reduce bone turnover marker levels , together with an increase in IGF-I and a decrease in PTH .
There is no evidence that diet-derived acid load is deleterious for bone health .
Thus , insufficient dietary protein intakes may be a more severe problem than protein excess in the elderly .
A summary of systematic review s and meta-analyses addressing the benefits and risks of dietary protein intakes  for  bone health in adults suggests that dietary protein levels even above the current RDA may be beneficial in reducing bone loss and hip fracture risk , provided calcium intakes are adequate .
Several systematic review s and meta-analyses have addressed the benefits and risks of dietary protein intakes for bone health in adults .
Adequate supplies of dietary protein are required for optimal bone growth and maintenance of healthy bone .
Variation in protein intakes within the “ normal ” range accounts for 2–4 % of BMD variance in adults .
Whey Protein Supplementation and Higher Total Protein Intake Do Not Influence Bone Quantity in Overweight and Obese Adults Following a 36-Week Exercise and Diet Intervention.
BACKGROUND Controversy exists concerning the effects of higher total protein intake ( TPro ) on bone health , which may be associated with reduced bone mineral density ( BMD ) . However , whey protein ( WP ) may induce bone formation because of its basic component , milk basic protein . OBJECTIVE This study assessed the effects of WP supplementation , TPro , and change in TPro ( postsupplementation - presupplementation ) on BMD and bone mineral content ( BMC ; total body , lumbar spine , total femur , and femoral neck ) in overweight and class I obese middle-aged adults following an exercise intervention . METHODS This analysis used data from a double-blind , r and omized , placebo-controlled 36-wk WP supplementation trial , wherein participants consumed a 1.7-MJ ( 400-kcal ) supplement ( 0 , 20 , 40 , or 60 g WP/d ) along with their otherwise unrestricted diet while participating in a resistance and aerobic exercise intervention ( 3 d/wk ) . TPro was the summation of WP and habitual dietary intakes ( 4-d food record ) . Statistical analyses for WP were based on group and bone data [ n = 186 , 108 women ; mean ± SD age : 49 ± 8 y ; body mass index ( BMI ; in kg/m2 ) : 30.1 ± 2.8 ] , whereas TPro was based on dietary and bone data ( n = 113 , 70 women ; age 50 ± 8 y ; BMI 30.1 ± 2.9 ) . RESULTS WP supplementation , regardless of dose , did not influence BMD or BMC following the intervention . By using a multiple linear regression model , TPro ( expressed as g/d or g · kg-1 · d-1 ) and change in TPro ( expressed as g/d ) were not associated with responses over time in total or regional BMD or BMC . By using a cluster analysis approach [ < 1.0 ( n = 41 ) , 1.0 - 1.2 ( n = 28 ) , and ≥1.2 g · kg-1 · d-1 ( n = 44 ) ] , TPro was also not associated with responses in total or regional BMD or BMC over time . CONCLUSION WP supplementation and total dietary protein intake did not negatively or beneficially influence bone quantity in overweight and obese adults during a 9-mo exercise intervention . This trial was registered at clinical trials.gov as NCT00812409
In older people with osteoporosis , higher protein intake ( ≥ 0.8-g/kg body weight/day , i.e. , above the current RDA ) is associated with higher BMD , a slower rate of bone loss , and reduced risk of hip fracture , provided that dietary calcium intakes are adequate .
Intervention with dietary protein supplements attenuate age-related BMD decrease and reduce bone turnover marker levels , together with an increase in IGF-I and a decrease in PTH .
There is no evidence that diet-derived acid load is deleterious for bone health .
Thus , insufficient dietary protein intakes may be a more severe problem than protein excess in the elderly .
A summary of systematic review s and meta-analyses addressing the benefits and risks of dietary protein intakes  for  bone health in adults suggests that dietary protein levels even above the current RDA may be beneficial in reducing bone loss and hip fracture risk , provided calcium intakes are adequate .
Several systematic review s and meta-analyses have addressed the benefits and risks of dietary protein intakes for bone health in adults .
Adequate supplies of dietary protein are required for optimal bone growth and maintenance of healthy bone .
Variation in protein intakes within the “ normal ” range accounts for 2–4 % of BMD variance in adults .