Abstract
Adequate consumption of dietary protein is critical for the maintenance of optimal health during normal growth and aging. The current Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA) for protein is defined as the minimum amount required to prevent lean body mass loss, but is often misrepresented and misinterpreted as a recommended optimal intake. Over the past two decades, the potential muscle-related benefits achieved by consuming higher-protein diets have become increasingly clear. Despite greater awareness of how higher-protein diets might be advantageous for muscle mass, actual dietary patterns, particularly as they pertain to protein, have remained relatively unchanged in American adults. This lack of change may, in part, result from confusion over the purported detrimental effects of higher-protein diets. This manuscript will highlight common perceptions and benefits of dietary protein on muscle mass, address misperceptions related to higher-protein diets, and comment on the translation of academic advances to real-life application and health benefit. Given the vast research evidence supporting the positive effects of dietary protein intake on optimal health, we encourage critical evaluation of current protein intake recommendations and responsible representation and application of the RDA as a minimum protein requirement rather than one determined to optimally meet the needs of the population.
Highlights
Consuming adequate dietary protein is critical for maintaining optimal health, growth, development, and function throughout life
Despite greater awareness of how higher-protein diets might be advantageous for muscle mass, actual dietary patterns, as they pertain to protein, have remained relatively unchanged in American adults as a whole [10]
The magnitude of the postprandial stimulation of muscle protein synthesis, suppression of muscle protein breakdown, and shift to a positive protein balance is mediated by dietary protein content, protein quality, and the format in which protein is consumed [6]
Summary
Consuming adequate dietary protein is critical for maintaining optimal health, growth, development, and function throughout life. The current protein RDA, is often incorrectly applied when used as the definition of recommended intake, rather than its true designation as the required minimum intake This misapplication is problematic for healthy populations and aging adults, and disadvantageous for those with pathophysiological conditions that would necessitate higher-protein needs. A prospective, cross-sectional analysis of the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) database demonstrates inverse associations between animal and plant protein intake and waist circumference, body weight, and body mass index (BMI) [9]. Advances in this field of nutritional science have translated to a greater emphasis on higher-protein diets, protein quality, and supplemental protein in peer-reviewed literature, lay media, and the commercial food market.
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