Dietary protein consumption does not cause bone dissolution or acidify the blood in a way that harms bone health.

noli's read

Stuart Phillips highlights the obsolescence of the 'acid-ash hypothesis,' a once-popular idea suggesting that protein increases blood acidity, forcing the body to leach calcium from bones to compensate. Current research, notably the meta-analysis published by the National Osteoporosis Foundation (NOF) cited here, confirms that protein intake is either neutral or beneficial for bone mineral density, particularly when coupled with sufficient calcium intake. Evidence from systematic reviews and meta-analyses shows that protein promotes growth hormones (such as IGF-1) and increases intestinal calcium absorption, which supports bone structure rather than weakening it. What is sometimes exaggerated in wellness circles is the fear that metabolic acidity linked to protein is deleterious to the skeleton in the long term for individuals with healthy kidney function. There is no solid evidence linking a high-protein diet to bone demineralization. On the contrary, the current scientific consensus positions protein as a key nutrient for preventing age-related bone loss.

the sources

No named source held this one up — that absence is part of the verdict.