A new study has found that a high-fiber, low-fat diet may significantly reduce the amount of calcium absorbed by the body.
Aside from the relationship to fiber/fat in the diet, researchers observed higher calcium absorption among women with:
In addition to the fiber intake, other factors which were found to be negatively associated with calcium absorption were:
In explaining the decreased calcium absorption with higher fiber intake, the researchers suggest that high fiber levels may accelerate the movement of food through the gastrointestinal tract. Because of the shortened retention time, the body has less opportunity to absorb calcium.
American Journal of Clinical Nutrition August 2000; 72: 466-471.
Further confirmation that the low-fat high fiber diet is not all that it is purported to be. Calcium is only ONE of the minerals that is decreased with this type of diet. Calcium happens to be the largest single mineral that we take in from our diets so it is the most obvious one. However, it is logical to assume that ALL the other minerals, including trace minerals, as well as the fat soluble vitamins (A, D, E, and K) have equally impaired absorption in those consuming this type of diet. It is likely that many individuals are already deficient in these important minerals and adding a 20% reduction to an already deficient state is clearly not a move in the direction of health.
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