Protein may lower risk of hip fracture

BOSTON, May 6 (UPI) -- U.S. researchers say seniors can prevent fractures by including more protein in their diets.

Researchers at Boston's Hebrew SeniorLife Institute for Aging Research, an affiliate of Harvard Medical School, examined the daily protein intake of 946 seniors from the Framingham Osteoporosis Study.

"Study participants who consumed higher amounts of protein in their diet were significantly less likely to suffer a hip fracture," senior study author Marian Hannan said in a statement.

The study, scheduled to be published in Osteoporosis International, found those eating the least protein -- in the lowest 25 percent -- had approximately 50 percent more hip fractures than those eating more protein. Those suffering hip fractures had consumed less than the daily 46 grams, or about 1.5 ounces of dietary protein recommended for adults.

Hannan suggests older women daily consume at least 46 grams of protein and older men at least 56 grams, or 2 ounces, of protein from both animal sources such as meat, poultry, fish, eggs and dairy products and plants such as legumes, grains, nuts, seeds and vegetables. The study did not examine the type of protein consumed.

To reduce the risk of falls, Hannan recommends other regular exercising to build muscle and help balance.