Quality Of Protein Intake Research Articles

Dietary proteins: from evolution to engineering.

Because of the indispensable amino acids dietary proteins are the most important macronutrients. Proper growth and body maintenance depends on the quantity and quality of protein intake and proteins have thus been most crucial throughout evolution with hominins living in quite diverse food ecosystems. Developments in agriculture and food science have increased availability and diversity of food including protein for a rapidly growing world population while nutrient deficiencies resulting in stunting in children for example have been reduced. Nevertheless, the developing world and growing population needs more protein of high quality - with around 400 million tons per annum estimated for 2050. In contrary, protein consumption in all developed countries exceeds meanwhile the recommended intakes considerably with consequences for health and the environment. There is a growing interest in dietary proteins driven by the quest for more sustainable diets and the increasing food demand for a growing world population. This brings new and novel sources such as algae, yeast, insects or bacteria into play in delivering the biomass but also new technologies such as precision fermentation or in vitro meat/fish or dairy. What needs to be considered when such new protein sources are explored is that proteins need to provide not only the required amino acids but also functionality in the food produced thereof. This review considers human physiology and metabolism in the context of protein intake from an evolutionary perspective and prospects on future protein production.

Dietary protein intake and all-cause mortality: results from The Kawasaki Aging and Wellbeing Project

BackgroundIncreased protein intake has been recommended to prevent sarcopenia/frailty, reports on the quantity and quality of protein intake needed and the associated prognosis, particularly in the aging population of Asia, are limited. In this study, we aimed to investigate the relationship between protein intake and mortality in Japanese individuals, aged 85 years and older.MethodsThe data were obtained from The Kawasaki Aging and Wellbeing Project, which is a prospective cohort study of older adults aged between 85 and 89 years with no physical disability at baseline. Of the 1,026 adults in the cohort, 833 were included in the analysis, after excluding those who had not completed a brief, self-administered diet history questionnaire or those who scored less than 24 on the Mini-Mental State Examination. The participants were grouped into quartiles based on protein intake: Q1 (protein < 14.7, %Energy), Q2 (14.7 ≤ protein < 16.7, %Energy), Q3 (16.7 ≤ protein < 19.1, %Energy), and Q4 (≥ 19.1, %Energy). Multivariate Cox proportional hazards models were utilized to evaluate the association between protein intake and all-cause mortality. Kaplan–Meier survival curves were employed to investigate the relationship between protein intake and all-cause mortality.ResultsThe mean protein intake of our study population was 17.0% of total energy. Animal protein intake, particularly fish intake, increased significantly along with total protein intake. The study had an average observation period of 1,218 days and recorded 89 deaths. After adjusting for age, sex, skeletal muscle mass index, cardiovascular disease, cancer, education, and serum albumin levels, a lower risk of all-cause mortality was observed in the highest protein intake (Q4) group than in the lowest protein intake (Q1) group (hazard ratio: 0.44, 95% confidence interval: 0.22–0.90, p-value: 0.020).ConclusionProtein intake is associated with a reduced risk of all-cause mortality in older adults (aged ≥ 85 years) who engage in independent activities of daily living. This association may impact all-cause mortality independent of muscle mass.

Adherence to Mediterranean Diet and Its Association with Maternal and Newborn Outcomes.

Background: Pregnancy is a crucial stage in a woman’s life and can be affected by epigenetic and environmental factors. Diet also plays a key role in gestation. This study aimed to evaluate how a greater or lesser adherence to the Mediterranean Diet (MD) influences specific parameters of mother and newborn. Methods: After delivery, the women participating in the study answered a questionnaire: demographic information; anthropometric data (pre-pregnancy weight, height, and gestational weight gain); dietary habits information (adherence to MD before and during pregnancy, using the validated Mediterranean Diet Adherence Screener (MEDAS), quality of protein intake); pregnancy information (onset of complications, cesarean/vaginal delivery, gestational age at birth, birth weight, birth length); and clinical practitioner for personalized dietary patterns during pregnancy. Results: A total of 501 respondents have been included in the study, and 135 were excluded for complications. Women who followed the advice of clinical nutritionists showed better adherence to MD (p = 0.02), and the baby’s birth weight was higher (p = 0.02). Significant differences in gestational weight gain (p < 0.01) between groups with dissimilar diet adherence were demonstrated. Conclusion: Our data demonstrate a significant relationship between adherence to MD and birthweight.

Sarcopenia: Etiology, Nutritional Approaches, and miRNAs.

Sarcopenia, an age-related decline in skeletal muscle mass and function, dramatically affects the quality of life. Although there is a consensus that sarcopenia is a multifactorial syndrome, the etiology and underlying mechanisms are not yet delineated. Moreover, research about nutritional interventions to prevent the development of sarcopenia is mainly focused on the amount and quality of protein intake. The impact of several nutrition strategies that consider timing of food intake, anti-inflammatory nutrients, metabolic control, and the role of mitochondrial function on the progression of sarcopenia is not fully understood. This narrative review summarizes the metabolic background of this phenomenon and proposes an integral nutritional approach (including dietary supplements such as creatine monohydrate) to target potential molecular pathways that may affect reduce or ameliorate the adverse effects of sarcopenia. Lastly, miRNAs, in particular those produced by skeletal muscle (MyomiR), might represent a valid tool to evaluate sarcopenia progression as a potential rapid and early biomarker for diagnosis and characterization.

A high-protein/high-energy fruit dessert is as effective as milk-based oral nutritional supplement to increase blood leucinemia in older women.

Rationale: Sarcopenia contributes to frailty and loss of autonomy and results from a decreased anabolic action of meals due to a loss of skeletal muscle sensitivity to dietary amino acids in elderly. Several strategies are based on optimizing the quantity and quality of protein intake. Whey with fast digestion and absorption rates has proven to be very effective, but such proteins properties are considerably reduced when these ones are added to a complex food matrix. The REMUS project aims at developing a novel matrix containing a rapid and vectorized milk protein to potentiate the bioavailability of amino acids in the elderly regardless product texture.

Utilization of Hydroxyl-Methyl Butyrate, Leucine, Glutamine and Arginine Supplementation in Nutritional Management of Sarcopenia-Implications and Clinical Considerations for Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus Risk Modulation.

While onset characteristics may vary, sarcopenia gradually develops over time as a result of the aging process, leading to muscle loss, disturbance of the muscle to fat ratio, and a variety of negative symptoms undermining the wellbeing, quality of life, and lifespan in the aging population globally. There is evidence that sarcopenia may be a cause and consequence of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) in the aging population. The importance of nutritional management in the prevention and/or deceleration of sarcopenia is critical, with the main focus placed on the amount and quality of protein intake. Significant efforts are being made towards the development of medical nutrition therapies involving certain amino acids and amino compounds, as well as their combinations, for the improvement in muscle strength, muscle function and protein synthesis. This may reduce hospitalization times and hasten the recovery of patients with sarcopenia. The administration of protocols with varying dose and frequencies, as well as their efficacy, is being investigated. In the work herein, we present and evaluate data derived from human trials regarding the utilization of hydroxyl-methyl butyrate (HMB), L-leucine (Leu), L-glutamine (Gln) and L-arginine (Arg) supplementation for optimal management of sarcopenia in geriatric patients, a topic of significant clinical nutrition interest which may have important implications in T2DM status.

Association of Quantity and Quality of Protein Intake with Depression and Anxiety Symptoms among Adolescent Boys and Girls (13-15 Years) Studying in Public Schools of Delhi.

Data on prevalence of mental health disorders indicates that 4.5% and 3% of the Indian population is suffering from depression and anxiety respectively. Research suggest that a poor quality diet (lacking in macro and micronutrients) may lead to deficiencies that are associated with depression and anxiety disorders. The present research was designed to study the prevalence & association of depression & anxiety with protein intake among adolescent boys and girls (aged 13-15 y) studying in public schools of Delhi. 546 adolescents participated in this cross-sectional study (selected from public schools in Delhi). For the assessment of depression and anxiety symptoms and dietary micronutrient deficiencies Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL; administered to the parents) and 24 h recall and food frequency questionnaire (administered to the subjects) were used respectively. Adolescent Micronutrient Quality Index (AMQI) was further used to assess the protein quality of the diets. Prevalence of depression and anxiety were 33.5% and 27.47% respectively. Assessment of diets through AMQI revealed that low intake of protein rich foods like milk and legumes was significantly associated with higher mean scores of depression (p<0.001) and anxiety symptoms (p<0.001). In the multivariate analysis for depression and anxiety symptoms, it was observed that males who were not consuming milk for breakfast had higher odds of getting depressed (OR: 0.28; 95%CI: 0.10-0.77; p=0.0177) and anxious (OR: 0.28; 95%CI: 0.10-0.77; p=0.0177) and females had higher odds of getting depressed (OR: NE; 95%CI: NE; p≤0.0177). This study highlights the association of mental health with quality and quantity of protein consumed by adolescents. It will also serve as a strategic tool for mental health prevention and management policies designed for adolescents. It also adds to the growing body of research in the area of nutritional psychiatry.

Protein Intake, Prognostic Nutritional Index and Quality of Life in Head and Neck Cancer Patients Undergoing Radiotherapy

BACKGROUND: It has not been well understood whether the quality and quantity of protein intake could affect the quality of life. Quality of life is associated with nutritional status, but the usage of prognostic nutritional index (PNI) to reflect quality of life of head and neck cancer patients undergoing radiotherapy also still has not been widely studied.METHODS: A cross sectional study was performed in 61 head and neck cancer patient undergoing radiotherapy. The quantity and quality of protein intake were obtained using semiquantitative food frequency questionnaire (FFQ) which was analized by analyzed using Nutrisurvey 2007, PNI was obtained using a calculation of Onodera’s formula based on laboratory data of serum albumin and total lymphocyte count (TLC), and domains of quality of life were obtained from the interview of European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC) Quality of Life Core Questionnaire (QLQ-C30) and EORTC Quality of Life Head and Neck module (QLQ-H&amp;N35) and then calculated to get each domain’s score on quality of life.RESULTS: Patient’s median of total protein intake was 1.42 (0.26-4.11) g/kg/day. The median of PNI was 45.9 (29.4- 54.2). Quantity of protein intake was significantly correlated with several symptoms domain of quality of life. PNI was also significantly correlated with one functional domain and two symptom domains of quality of life. This study did not show a significant correlation between quantity and quality of protein intake with PNI.CONCLUSION: PNI has the potential to reflect quality of life of head and neck cancer patients. Future studies might be beneficial to show the usage of PNI to reflect quality of life, especially involving the progressivity of quality of life.KEYWORDS: animal protein, chemoradiotherapy, cachexia, quality of life

Adequacy of Protein Intake among Korean Elderly: An Analysis of the 2013–2014 Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey Data

BackgroundProtein intake in South Korea is generally considered to be adequate; however, there is concern that it may be inadequate among the elderly. This study evaluated the adequacy of protein intake, the source of protein, and the distribution of protein intake in daily meals in the Korean elderly population.MethodsData were obtained from 1,484 men and 2,028 women aged 60 years or older who had participated in the nutrition survey of the 2013–2014 Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. One-day (24-hour) recall data were used to estimate the daily protein intake.ResultsThe mean protein intake was 65.3±1.0 g/d (13.1%±0.1% of energy) and 49.7±0.7 g/d (12.6%±0.1% of energy) for men and women, respectively. The protein intake was less than the estimated average requirement in 30.8%±1.4% of men and 42.6%±1.3% of women, and 47.9%±1.6% and 60.1%±1.4%, respectively, consumed less than the recommended daily allowance. The protein intake was relatively evenly distributed among meals; however, the absolute amount of protein consumption per meal was very low. Only one-third of the protein intake came from animal sources.ConclusionThe quantity and quality of protein intake were inadequate in the elderly Korean population.

Amount, Distribution, and Quality of Protein Intake Are Not Associated with Muscle Mass, Strength, and Power in Healthy Older Adults without Functional Limitations-An enable Study.

To maintain muscle mass in older age, several aspects regarding the amount and distribution of protein intake have been suggested. Our objective was to investigate single and combined associations of daily protein intake, evenness of protein distribution across the three main meals, number of meals providing ≥0.4 g protein/kg body weight (BW), and number of meals providing ≥2.5 g leucine, with muscle mass, strength, and power in successful agers. In this cross-sectional study in 97 healthy community-dwelling adults without functional limitations aged 75–85 years, protein intake was assessed using 7-day food records. Muscle mass, leg muscle strength, leg muscle power, and handgrip strength were measured according to standardized protocols. Mean daily protein intake was 0.97 ± 0.28 g/kg BW and the coefficient of variance between main meals was 0.53 ± 0.19. Per day, 0.72 ± 0.50 meals providing ≥0.4 g protein/kg BW and 1.11 ± 0.76 meals providing ≥2.5 g leucine were consumed. No correlations between single or combined aspects of protein intake and skeletal muscle index, leg muscle power, leg muscle strength, or handgrip strength were observed (Spearman’s r of −0.280 to 0.291). In this sample of healthy older adults without functional limitations, aspects of protein intake were not associated with muscle mass, strength, or power.

Determinants of phosphorus mobilization during hemodialysis

Our recent work proposed a pseudo one-compartment model for describing intradialysis and postdialysis rebound kinetics of phosphorus. In this model, phosphorus is removed directly from a central distribution volume with the rate of phosphorus mobilization from a second, very large compartment proportional to the phosphorus mobilization clearance. Here, we evaluated factors of phosphorus mobilization clearance and postdialysis central distribution volume from 774 patients in the HEMO Study. Phosphorus mobilization clearance and postdialysis central distribution volume were 87 (65, 116) ml/min, median (interquartile range), and 9.4 (7.2, 12.0) liter, respectively. The phosphorus mobilization clearance was significantly higher for male patients than for female patients. Both the phosphorus mobilization clearance and the postdialysis central distribution volume were significantly associated with postdialysis body weight but negatively with the predialysis serum phosphorus concentration. The postdialysis central distribution volume was also significantly associated with age. Overall, the postdialysis central distribution volume was 13.6% of the postdialysis body weight. Thus, the phosphorus mobilization clearance during hemodialysis is higher when predialysis serum phosphorus concentration is low and higher in male patients than in female patients. The central distribution volume of phosphorus is a space approximating the extracellular fluid volume.

A to Z of nutritional supplements: dietary supplements, sports nutrition foods and ergogenic aids for health and performance—Part 32

The letter P brings together two of the most talked about supplement families: proteins, which have been perennially popular since the time of the ancient Olympians and prohormones, which will...

Muscle Wasting and Resistance of Muscle Anabolism: The “Anabolic Threshold Concept” for Adapted Nutritional Strategies during Sarcopenia

Skeletal muscle loss is observed in several physiopathological situations. Strategies to prevent, slow down, or increase recovery of muscle have already been tested. Besides exercise, nutrition, and more particularly protein nutrition based on increased amino acid, leucine or the quality of protein intake has generated positive acute postprandial effect on muscle protein anabolism. However, on the long term, these nutritional strategies have often failed in improving muscle mass even if given for long periods of time in both humans and rodent models. Muscle mass loss situations have been often correlated to a resistance of muscle protein anabolism to food intake which may be explained by an increase of the anabolic threshold toward the stimulatory effect of amino acids. In this paper, we will emphasize how this anabolic resistance may affect the intensity and the duration of the muscle anabolic response at the postprandial state and how it may explain the negative results obtained on the long term in the prevention of muscle mass. Sarcopenia, the muscle mass loss observed during aging, has been chosen to illustrate this concept but it may be kept in mind that it could be extended to any other catabolic states or recovery situations.

Impact of energy and casein or whey protein intake on bone status in a rat model of age-related bone loss

In the elderly, nutritional deficiencies, such as low energy and protein intake, are suggested to increase the risk of osteoporotic fractures. Modulation of the amount and quality of protein intake under energy deficient conditions represents an interesting strategy to prevent aged-related bone loss. We investigated the effect of a 5-month dietary restriction on bone status in 16-month-old male rats. Rats were randomised into six groups (n 10 per group). Control animals were fed a normal diet containing either casein (N-C) or whey protein (N-WP). The other groups received a 40 % protein and energy-restricted diet with casein or whey protein (PER-C and PER-WP) or a normal protein and energy-restricted diet (ER-C and ER-WP). Both restrictions (PER and ER) induced a decrease in femoral bone mineral density (BMD), consistent with impaired biomechanical properties and a reduced cortical area at the diaphysis. Plasma osteocalcin and urinary deoxypyridinoline levels suggested a decrease in bone turnover in the PER and ER groups. Interestingly, circulating insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1) levels were also lowered. Overall, normal protein intake did not elicit any bone sparing effect in energy-deficient rats. Regarding protein quality, neither casein nor WP appeared to significantly prevent the BMD decrease. This study confirms that nutritional deficiencies may contribute to osteopenia through decreased IGF-1 levels. Moreover, it seems that impaired bone status could not be significantly prevented by modulating the amount and quality of dietary proteins.

Effect of protein supplementation on the digestibility of urea treated whole crop wheat and on milk production by dairy cows

Previous studies have shown a low efficiency of utilisation of urea treated whole crop wheat (UWCW) when offered as the sole forage to dairy cows (Hill and Leaver 1990). The poor efficiency of utilisation of metabolisable energy could possibly be influenced by the level and quality (the balance in QFN, SFN, and UN) of protein intake by the cow.To investigate the effect of level and quality of protein intake on the digestibility of UWCW fed ad libitum to lactating cows, an experiment was carried out using three concentrate sources based upon molassed sugar beet pulp pellets (Diet A), soya bean meal (Diet B) and fishmeal (Diet C). A concurrent experiment was implemented to analyse the degradation characteristics of UWCW using sheep.Six multiparous mid to late lactation Holstein Friesian cows were allocated to two 3x3 latin squares. Each cow was housed in an individual pen and fed UWCW ad libitum once daily and concentrate twice daily. Individual DM intakes of forage, milk production, liveweight and faecal output were estimated for each diet. The degradability trial used the methodology of Paine et al (1982).

Effects of Quantity and Quality of Dietary Protein and Variation in Certain Enzyme Activities on Glucose Metabolism in the Rat

This study attempted to determine whether the quantity and the quality of protein intake could influence the activity of some enzymes involved in carbohydrate metabolism. Thus, adult rats were fed for 23 days a diet containing different levels (10 to 70%) and qualities (casein, wheat gluten, and egg yolk) of protein. Variations in liver enzyme activities of pyruvate kinase (PK), glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PDH), malic enzyme (ME), glucose-6-phosphatase (G6Pase), and phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase (PEPCK) were studied. Also the changes in enzyme activities were compared with changes in food intake and body weight gain. Increasing the protein level produced a progressive fall in the activities of ME and PK. The decrease in PK activity was greater when the biological value of the dietary proteins was higher (P less than 0.05). On the other hand, the activities of G6PDH and PEPCK increased as the protein level increased. The activity of G6Pase was unchanged. The relationship between the two opposing enzyme activities PK and PEPCK, in relation to protein intake, shows that for each protein studied, the equilibrium between glycolysis and gluconeogenesis was obtained at different protein intakes (1.5, 1.9, and 2.2 g of protein/day/100 g of body weight, respectively, for egg yolk, casein, and wheat gluten) regardless of daily consumption of energy as carbohydrate, which are similar (8 to 9 kcal/day/100 g of body weight). This equilibrium also corresponded to the maximum weight gain (5 g) of the experimental animals. In conclusion, the experimental method used permits a simultaneous assessment of the protein and carbohydrate requirements ensuring the best weight gain in young adult rats.

Nutritional Edema. I. Effect of Level and Quality of Protein Intake on Nitrogen Balance, Plasma Proteins and Edema

Nutritional edema is apparently another type of edema in which the mechanism of its production is related to the low level of plasma proteins, similar to that of nephrosis and plasmapheresis. In nutritional edema, however, the lowered plasma proteins are brought about by a deficiency in protein in diet. Denton and Kohman1 produced edema in a large proportion of rats fed largely on carrots. This work was confirmed by Frisch, Mendel and Peters,2 who in addition showed that the plasma proteins were low in their rats. Recently Shelburne and Egloff3 succeeded in producing edema in a dog fed on a low protein diet. We add the following preliminary report of a study on the nitrogen balance, plasma proteins and extent of edema in 2 cases of nutritional edema under the influence of different dietary regimes.The 2 patients, aged 11 and 20 respectively, were inmates of an orphanage in which they subsisted for a long time on a diet deficient in protein. They presented evidence of undernutrition with marked edema. Ther...