High Protein and Calcium Intake May Protect Against Hip Fractures
Author Information
Author(s): Sahni Shivani, Cupples L Adrienne, Mclean Robert R, Tucker Katherine L, Broe Kerry E, Kiel Douglas P, Hannan Marian T
Primary Institution: Hebrew SeniorLife and Harvard Medical School
Hypothesis
Higher intake of protein would be associated with a reduced risk of hip fracture in middle-aged and older adults, especially when calcium intake is high.
Conclusion
Higher animal protein intake coupled with calcium intake of 800 mg/day or more may protect against hip fracture, while the effect appears reversed for those with lower calcium intake.
Supporting Evidence
- Among those with calcium intakes less than 800 mg/day, the highest tertile of animal protein intake had 2.8 times the risk of hip fracture.
- In the 800 mg/day or more group, the highest tertile of animal protein had an 85% reduced hip fracture risk.
- Total protein intake and the animal/plant ratio were not significantly associated with hip fracture.
Takeaway
Eating more protein can help keep your bones strong, but you also need to eat enough calcium. If you don't get enough calcium, too much protein might actually hurt your bones.
Methodology
Participants completed a food frequency questionnaire and were followed for hip fractures over 12 years, with hazard ratios estimated using Cox proportional hazards regression.
Potential Biases
Potential residual confounding may occur despite controlling for several confounders.
Limitations
The number of hip fractures was modest, limiting the power of the study, and dietary data were only available at baseline.
Participant Demographics
The study included 1752 men and 1972 women, with a mean age of approximately 55 years.
Statistical Information
P-Value
p = .02
Confidence Interval
95% CI 1.20–6.74
Statistical Significance
p<0.05
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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