Gut microbiota mediated the curvilinear association between dietary animal protein intake and bone mineral density in Chinese adults

together mediated 14.50%-18.66% of the associations between dietary animal protein intake and BMD at the three skeletal sites. In conclusion, the threshold effect of dietary animal protein intake on BMD was partly explained by some gut microbes. Excessive dietary animal protein intake and general dietary plant protein intake might not have positive effects. These findings may provide important insights into the prevention and management of osteoporosis.