Macro partitioning
Increased dietary protein intake (specifically essential amino acids) stimulates muscle protein synthesis, which translates to preserved or increased muscle mass, strength, and function in older individuals, thereby improving health outcomes and quality of life.
Older adults should consume more protein than the standard recommendation of 0.8g/kg/day to maintain muscle mass, strength, and overall health. Focus on essential amino acids, potentially through protein-rich meals or supplements, especially if activity levels are low or during periods of immobility. This helps prevent sarcopenia and improves quality of life without known adverse effects at reasonable doses.
Increased dietary protein, and the resulting increased availability of plasma amino acids, stimulates muscle protein synthesis. If all other variables are controlled, increased muscle protein synthesis leads to improved muscle mass, strength and function over time. Increased muscle mass, strength and function is related to improved health outcomes in older individuals.
Why this rating
The paper is a review/rationale paper relying on deductive reasoning from multiple studies (bed rest, infusion, observational) rather than a single large RCT directly linking protein to mortality.
Source
The role of dietary protein in optimizing muscle mass, function and health outcomes in older individuals
Robert R. Wolfe · British Journal Of Nutrition · 2012
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