Protein Requirements and Recommendations for Older People: A Review

Declines in skeletal muscle mass and strength are major contributors to increased mortality, morbidity and reduced quality of life in older people. Recommended Dietary Allowances/Intakes have failed to adequately consider the protein requirements of the elderly with respect to function. The aim of t...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Nutrients 2015-08, Vol.7 (8), p.6874-6899
Main Authors: Nowson, Caryl, O'Connell, Stella
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Accidental Falls - prevention & control
Aged
Aging
Body Composition
Bone and Bones - metabolism
Dietary Proteins - administration & dosage
Dietary Proteins - pharmacokinetics
Elder Nutritional Physiological Phenomena
elderly
Energy Intake
Energy Metabolism
Fractures, Bone - prevention & control
function
Humans
Motor Activity
muscle
Muscle Strength
Muscle, Skeletal - metabolism
protein requirements
Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic
Recommended Dietary Allowances
Review
strength
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Summary:Declines in skeletal muscle mass and strength are major contributors to increased mortality, morbidity and reduced quality of life in older people. Recommended Dietary Allowances/Intakes have failed to adequately consider the protein requirements of the elderly with respect to function. The aim of this paper was to review definitions of optimal protein status and the evidence base for optimal dietary protein. Current recommended protein intakes for older people do not account for the compensatory loss of muscle mass that occurs on lower protein intakes. Older people have lower rates of protein synthesis and whole-body proteolysis in response to an anabolic stimulus (food or resistance exercise). Recommendations for the level of adequate dietary intake of protein for older people should be informed by evidence derived from functional outcomes. Randomized controlled trials report a clear benefit of increased dietary protein on lean mass gain and leg strength, particularly when combined with resistance exercise. There is good consistent evidence (level III-2 to IV) that consumption of 1.0 to 1.3 g/kg/day dietary protein combined with twice-weekly progressive resistance exercise reduces age-related muscle mass loss. Older people appear to require 1.0 to 1.3 g/kg/day dietary protein to optimize physical function, particularly whilst undertaking resistance exercise recommendations.
ISSN:2072-6643
2072-6643
DOI:10.3390/nu7085311