Evidence for a Link Between Dietary Protein and Bone & Muscle Health in Adults

Abstract

This chapter will provide an overview regarding bone, osteoporosis, musculoskeletal health and dietary protein intakes in adult men and women. A background on evolving thoughts and tested hypotheses on the Acid-base theory will be presented, followed by an overview of the major scientific findings of the effect of dietary protein intake upon bone and muscle health. This review will not cover dietary patterns, although this topic is of keen interest and population-based future studies are encouraged in this area of interest. It would appear that higher levels of dietary protein intake, within the range commonly consumed by U.S. adults, do not result in bone loss in older adults. These positive outcomes may be due to increased calcium absorption, circulating levels of IGF-1 and suppression of PTH. The link between dietary protein intakes and bone health is certainly more complex than simple association studies can tease apart and more in-depth work is still necessary to give insights that are helpful to populations interested in maximizing their bone health. Protein appears to make more of an impact on bone with adequate calcium intake. The field of study for protein intakes and muscle outcomes in the adult population is an emerging area of research and one from which we anticipate a growing body of evidence in the future.