Another Strike Against Low Protein Diets....

So I am currently reading "Girth Control," by Alan Aragon and came across an interesting piece of data.

"It's important to note that inadequate protein intake is also detrimental to bone; intake at the RDA level (0.8g/kg/d) and below (which many people, particularily women ingest) has been shown to elevate serum parathyroid hormone (PTH), an indicator of the mobilization of calcium and phosphorous from bone."

***Kerstetter, JE, et al. A threshold for low-protein diet induced elevations in parathyroid hormone. American Journal of Clininal Nutrition. 2000; 72:168-73

I won't be the first to note that the RDA has missed the boat (repeatedly) in regards to their dietary recommendations, and protein is no exception. The first thing people need to realize is that most of the RDA's recommendations are to prevent deficiency (ie: to stave off death). I, along with many of my colleagues have long been an advocate of high(er) protein diets. Especially for those who are athletes or who live "active" lifestyles.

This is why I can't stand it when I come across registered dieticians and their radical claims that high(er) protein diets are dangerous. There has yet to be ANY evidence that high(er) protein diets cause harm to healthy individuals. Yet we have numerous studies (such as the one above) which show that low(er) protein diets CAN be harmful; particularily to women in regards to their vulnerability to osteoporosis.