ABSTRACT
Bone is one of the body’s endogenous reserves of base, since one major component is alkaline mineral salts such as calcium carbonate. As we will discuss in detail later on, exposing the bones to the excess acids from the diet [1] could potentially hasten bone demineralization and be associated with development of osteoporosis in later years. The kidney’s ability to excrete excess acid declines with age [2, 3]. The combination of high dietary acid intake and reduced renal acid excretion tends to produce higher net acid balances, especially in the age groups most at risk for osteoporosis [4]. To maintain electrical neutrality and buffer excess acid, the body must make a “trade-off,” using endogenous buffers such as bone alkali, and may have to accept a slightly higher net acid balance, which manifests as a slightly lower blood pH and plasma bicarbonate, although still within the range considered to be “normal” [5]. Eating a diet that does not produce a high diet acid load can reduce bone catabolism. The premise of this chapter is that modern-day diets in industrialized countries, which tend to be net acid forming due to the high intake of grains and animal food products and the relatively low intake of fruits and vegetables, may be one of the important factors in osteoporosis.
