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WID E -RAN GIN G EF F E CT S: BON E,K I D N E Y I EY E I BRA I N DIS EASE S 209
120
100
80
60
40
20
o
CHART 10.3: ASSOCIATION OF RATES OF HIP FRACTURES
WITH CALCIUM INTAKE FOR DIFFERENT COUNTRIES
- UNITED STATES
- NEW ZEALAND
- SWEDEN
- JERUSALEM
- UNITED KINGDOM
- NEW ZEALAND
- HOLLAND • FINLAND
- YUGOSLAVIA
- HONG KONG
- SINGAPORE
o 500 1,000 1,500
Calcium Consumption (mg/day)Given these findings, it seems perfectly plausible that animal protein
and even calcium-when consumed at excessive levels-are capable of
increasing the risk of osteoporosis. Dairy, unfortunately, is the only food
that is rich in both of these nutrients. Hegsted, backed by his excep-
tional experience in calcium research, said in his 1986 paper, "... hip
fractures are more frequent in populations where dairy products are
commonly consumed and calcium intakes are relatively high."
Years later, the dairy industry still suggests that we should be consum-
ing more of its products to build strong bones and teeth. The confusion,
conflict and controversy rampant in this area of research allow anybody
to say just about anything. And of course, huge amounts of money are at
stake as well. One of the most cited osteoporosis experts-one funded
by the dairy industry-angrily wrote in a prominent editoriaP5 that the
findings favoring a diet with a higher ratio of plant-to-animal protein
cited above could have been "influenced to some extent by currents in