Attack of the Protein Leaching ... Plants?

This is an interesting study, if far from conclusive.  The BLUF:   In the test subjects, the ones with the most animal protein consumption had the best bones.  This is getting into some very counter intuitive areas, for example, what if the way the body deals with excess calcium intake in the absence of vitamins like A, D and K2 is to sequester it in the arteries?  Speculation, yes, but there's evidence that supports the notion.  In other words, instead of meat protein consumption leading to calcium leaching of the bones, by adding good fat soluble vitamins, meat consumption helps mineralize bones by directing calcium to bones vice the lining of blood vessels?
The best part of the post is in the comments - like this one:

In my opinion it is the fat soluble vitamins A, D and K2 that are the cause of the increased bone density associated with increased intake of animal protein. Generally, intake of animals fats is proportional to the intake of animal protein and the intake of fat soluble vitamins. (Example found in data from pubmed 19124480)

It is not a matter of increased absorption of calcium, but a matter of increased synthesis osteocalcin, which requires vitamins A and D, and the activation of osteocalcin by vitamin K2. Activation of osteocalcin is required to put calcium where it belongs in teeth and bones and prevent it from accumulating in soft tissues where it does not belong.

Note that osteoporosis is associated with increased calcification of arteries.

It is not surprising that calcium intake made little difference as calcium deficiency is not widespread. Deficiency of vitamin K2, however, is common, and the amount of K2 required to maintain a given level of activated osteocalcin increases with age.(PMID 16469998)

February 15, 2011 3:22 PM

http://healthcorrelator.blogspot.com/2011/02/does-protein-leach-calcium-from-bones.html