The typical Westerner consumes 1000-1500 mg of calcium daily, compared to the 500 mg per day consumed by the inhabitants of developing countries in Africa and Asia where the intake of dairy products is much lower and the incidence of osteoporosis is less than 20 per cent of that in the West. The reason for this is that excess animal protein leaches calcium from the bones. Salt, coffee and alcohol also limit calcium absorption. An ecological study found a strong positive association between animal protein intake and hip fracture rates in women. Thus diets which are low in animal protein, such as those of rural Africa and Asia, may be in calcium balance despite a low calcium intake, whereas high protein diets may lead to a net loss of calcium from the body despite a high dietary intake.
Osteoporosis is, therefore, a disease of calcium loss rather than one of calcium lack.
Nutrition aside, weight-bearing exercise is important in promoting bone strength. For more on vegetarian nutrition, see the IVU Health and Nutrition Articles Index . Oxford Vegetarians Web site is hosted by the International Vegetarian Union .