The Mediterranean Athlete's Nutrition: Are Protein Supplements Necessary?

Catherine L Passariello,Silvana Hrelia,Mariateresa Carcuro,Silvia Marchionni,Marco Malaguti,Antonello Lorenzini,Giorgia Casali,Alberto Della Pasqua

doi:10.3390/nu12123681

Abstract

(1) Background: It is recommended that an athlete, in order to ensure correct nutrition and performance, should consume between 1.2 and 2.0 g/kg/day of protein, while the daily recommended protein intake for a non-athlete is 0.8and 0.9 mg/kg/day. It is unclear if athletes living in Mediterranean countries are able to meet protein requirements without supplementation, since Mediterranean diet de-emphasizes meat and meat products. (2) Methods: 166 athletes (125 males) enrolled between 2017 and 2019 were required to keep a dietary journal for three consecutive days (2 workdays and 1 weekend day). Athletes had to be >18 years old, train in a particular sport activity more than 3 h a week and compete at least at an amateur level. Journal data were collected and then translated into macro-nutrient content (grams of protein, carbohydrates, and lipids) by a nutritionist. (3) Results: The protein intake reported by this specific population vary slightly from the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics (AND), Dietitians of Canada (DC), and the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) joint statement recommendation level. Average protein levels without protein supplementation fell within the protein guidelines. Counterintuitively, the intake among those who supplemented their diet with protein was higher compared with those who did not, even when excluding the contribution of supplements. Although the majority of subjects participating in the study were able to meet protein intake recommended for athletes without protein supplementation, 27% of athletes were below the guideline range. (4) Conclusions: these data suggest that athletes’ nutrition should be more often evaluated by a nutritionist and that they will benefit from increasing their nutritional knowledge in order to make better food choices, resorting to protein supplementation only when effectively needed.

Highlights

Many factors are key to design the optimal nutrition for athletes, total caloric intake, nutrient timing and periodization, macro- and micronutrient intake [1]
The majority of subjects participating in the study were able to meet protein intake recommended for athletes without protein supplementation, 27% of athletes were below the guideline range
There seems to be a cultural shift in the dietary realm in which there is a marked increase on the importance of protein intake

Summary

Introduction

Many factors are key to design the optimal nutrition for athletes, total caloric intake, nutrient timing and periodization, macro- and micronutrient intake [1]. We are addressing macronutrient needs of Mediterranean athletes with a focus on total daily protein intake. There seems to be a cultural shift in the dietary realm in which there is a marked increase on the importance of protein intake. Nutrients 2020, 12, 3681 marketing campaigns targeting non-athletes that focus on the necessity of dietary integration without providing warnings on the possible risks from diets too high in protein [2]. The US Dietary Reference Intakes (DRI) specify a daily dietary protein intake for all individuals aged 19 years and older of 0.8 g/kg/day (Institute of Medicine, 2005). In 2016 the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics (AND), Dietitians of Canada (DC), and the American

Methods

Results

Conclusion