Dr. Reed Mangels from the Vegetarian Resource Group commented on the influence of a high amount of animal protein has on the body. Quoting a study published in the Journal of Nutrition in 2003 he states that “Some studies show that diets that are high in protein, especially animal protein, do cause increased losses of calcium in the urine…” this means that the amount of calcium in the Recommended Daily Allowance may fluctuate for individuals based on the amount of animal protein they consume. (33,34)
The current recommended dose for calcium is 800 to 1000 mg per day. Most Americans typically consume between 500 and 700 mg of calcium. Unless a diet is high in foods that contain calcium, many Americans may find that supplementation is necessary to avoid the increased loss of bone and osteoporosis while taking advantage of the potential for weight loss. However, it is also important to note that the production of bone does not rely exclusively on the amount of calcium in the body. Several other vitamins and minerals are necessary in order for the body to adequately manufacture bone.