Too much Protein In The Diet Linked To Osteoporosis

The article "Osteoporosis and the Calcium Myth," published in the Malaysian Vegnews, debunked the idea that we need to eat food rich in calcium to prevent osteoporosis. The article says calcium intake has nothing to do with osteoporosis. Rather, the article explores what is causing our bones to surrender their calcium by a study into African women of the Bantu race populations.

The study reveals some very startling facts. The women of the Bantu race in Africa do not suffer from osteoporosis, a broken bone is rare, and on average, Bantu women produce nine children, yet present remarkable bone density. Their daily average consumption of calcium is nearly four times lower than our average consumption. So, why do we get osteoporosis when our daily average of calcium is higher than that of the bantus?

The answer lies, according to the study, in the amount of protein we consume, especially animal protein. Here's an excerpts from the article:

"The human body is constantly working to maintain a state of balance. When the blood becomes too acidic, in an effort to balance the pH, the blood draws calcium and magnesium from the bones, as these are the two most readily available alkaline substances in the body."

"The more protein we eat, the more calcium our blood draws from our bones. The end result is high levels of uric acid, calcium and magnesium in the urine. It is very simple, very basic biochemistry."