Research
Mixed
Severely protein-deficient diets (2–3% energy) induce lean body mass loss and metabolic imbalance, whereas adequate protein intake (0.66 g/kg/d minimum) is a prerequisite for maintaining muscle, bone, and physiological function.
Ensure you eat enough protein every day to maintain your muscle and bone. The minimum is around 0.66 g/kg, but if you are older or active, you likely need more. Severe deficiency leads to muscle loss, so don't undereat protein.
StrongSupportsVERY_HIGH confidence
A severely protein deficient diet induces lean body mass losses, and ingestion of sufficient dietary energy and protein is a prerequisite for body protein synthesis and maintenance of muscle, bone and other lean tissues and functions.
Why this rating
The paper cites extensive evidence across human and animal studies regarding nitrogen balance and lean mass preservation.
Source
Protein metabolism and related body function: mechanistic approaches and health consequences
Daniel Tomé et al. · Proceedings of The Nutrition Society · 2020
narrative_reviewCited 30×
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