Vegetable Protein Intake Research Articles

Lessons learned? Changes in dietary behavior after a coronary event

Background and aimsA healthy diet is recommended for the prevention of coronary artery disease (CAD), but whereas patients with CAD adhere to a healthy diet is unclear. We aimed to assess the impact of a CAD event on dietary intake. MethodsProspective, population-based, observational study conducted between 2009 and 2017. Dietary intake was assessed using a validated food frequency questionnaire. Three comparisons were performed: 1) between participants with history of CAD and gender- and age-matched controls; 2) before and after the occurrence of a CAD event, and 3) between participants with an incident CAD event and gender- and age-matched controls. ResultsIn analysis 1), after multivariable adjustment, participants with history of CAD had a lower total energy intake than controls (adjusted mean ± standard error: 1833 ± 36 vs. 1940 ± 26 kcal/day, p = 0.022), while no difference was found for all other dietary markers. In analysis 2) (n = 87) total energy intake increased (1927 ± 593 vs. 2100 ± 700 kcal/day before and after the event, respectively, p = 0.029) and prevalence of low fat diet decreased (35.6% vs. 21.8%, p = 0.036), while no difference was found for all other dietary markers. In analysis 3), participants with incident CAD had higher vegetable protein intake (adjusted mean ± standard error 4.8 ± 0.1 vs. 4.5 ± 0.1% of total energy intake, p = 0.028), AHEI score (34 ± 1 vs. 31 ± 1, p = 0.032), and complied more frequently with vegetables guidelines [odds ratio and 95% confidence interval; 7.64 (1.06–55.2)] than controls, while no differences were found for all other dietary markers ConclusionsIn Switzerland, secondary prevention of CAD by diet is seldom implemented.

Dietary Protein Intake, Meat Consumption, and Dairy Consumption in the Year Preceding Pregnancy and During Pregnancy and Their Associations With the Risk of Gestational Diabetes Mellitus: A Prospective Cohort Study in Southwest China.

Background: Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) has become a public health problem in China.Objective: To examine the association of dietary protein intake before and during pregnancy with the risk of GDM.Design: Dietary intake before pregnancy and during the first and second trimesters of pregnancy was assessed using food frequency questionnaires in a prospective cohort of pregnant women. To screen GDM, participants underwent an OGTT test during 24–28 weeks of gestation. Cox proportional hazards were used to estimate RRs and 95% CIs for the associations between tertiles of dietary protein and the source of protein intake in different time windows with GDM status.Results: Higher intake of total protein [RR (95% CI): 1.92 (1.10–3.14), p for trend = 0.04] or animal protein [1.67 (1.19–2.93), p for trend = 0.03] in mid-pregnancy was associated with higher risk of GDM. Vegetable protein intake before or during pregnancy was not related to GDM risk (p for trend > 0.05). Moreover, in the mid-pregnancy, participants with higher meat consumption or dairy consumption had a higher risk of GDM.Conclusion: Our study indicated that higher dietary intakes of total protein and animal protein in mid-pregnancy were associated with an increased risk of GDM among pregnant Chinese women.

Digitally supported dietary counseling increases protein intake in community dwelling older adults: Preliminary results of the vitamin RCT

BACKGROUND. In order to prevent sarcopenia in community dwelling older adults a higher daily protein intake is needed. A new e-health strategy for dietary counseling was used with the aim to increase total daily protein intake to optimal levels (minimal 1.2 g/kg/d, optimal 1.5 g/kg/d) through use of regular food products.METHODS. The VITAMIN (VITal AMsterdam older adults IN the city) RCT included 245 community dwelling older adults (age ≥ 55y): control, exercise, and exercise plus dietary counseling (protein) group. Dietary intake was measured by a 3d dietary record at baseline and after 6 months intervention. In total 173 subjects were eligible for analysis. A two-way mixed ANOVA with time, group, and time*group interaction was performed. Post-hoc Bonferroni was performed with significance level at p<0.05.RESULTS. Mean age of the subjects was 72.1±6.3y, with a BMI of 25.7±4.2 of which 68% were females. ANOVA revealed significant effect of time, group and time*group (p<0.001). Table 1 shows higher protein intake over time in the dietary counseling group than either control (p=0.038) or exercise (p=0.008) group. Additional analyses revealed no change in vegetable protein intake. The higher protein intake was fully accounted for by animal protein intake. In the dietary counseling group 72% of subjects increased protein intake above the minimum intake level. DISCUSSION. This study shows digitally supported dietary counseling improves protein intake sufficiently in community dwelling older adults. Protein intake increase by counseling with e-health is a promising strategy for dieticians with the upcoming rising ageing population.

Vegetable Protein Intake was Inversely Associated with Cardiovascular Mortality ina 15-Year Follow-Up Study ofthe General Japanese Population.

Aim: To examine the relationship between the intake of dietary vegetable protein and CVD mortality in a 15-year follow-up study of a representative sample of the Japanese population.Methods: A total of 7,744 participants aged 30 years or older (3,224 males and 4,520 females) who were free of CVD at baseline were included in this analysis. Vegetable protein intake (% energy) was assessed using a threeday semi-weighed dietary record at baseline. Multivariable-adjusted hazard ratios (HRs) were calculated using Cox's proportional hazards model after adjusting for confounding factors.Results: The total person-years studied were 107,988 with a mean follow-up period of 13.9 years. There were 1,213 deaths during the follow-up period, among which 354 (29.2%) were due to CVD. Vegetable protein intake was associated inversely with CVD and cerebral hemorrhage mortality, with the HRs for a 1% energy increment in vegetable protein intake being 0.86 (95% CI, 0.75–0.99) and 0.58 (95% CI, 0.35–0.95), respectively. In the subgroup analysis of participants with or without hypertension, the inverse association between vegetable protein intake and CVD mortality was more evident in the nonhypertensive group, with the HRs for CVD and stroke being 0.68 (95% CI, 0.50–0.94) and 0.50 (95% CI, 0.30–0.84), respectively.Conclusions: Vegetable protein intake may prevent future CVD, particularly in nonhypertensive subjects in the Japanese population. However, further studies are necessary to examine the biological mechanisms of this effect.

Higher vegetable protein consumption, assessed by an isoenergetic macronutrient exchange model, is associated with a lower presence of overweight and obesity in the web-based Food4me European study

The objective was to evaluate differences in macronutrient intake and to investigate the possible association between consumption of vegetable protein and the risk of overweight/obesity, within the Food4Me randomised, online intervention. Differences in macronutrient consumption among the participating countries grouped by EU Regions (Western Europe, British Isles, Eastern Europe and Southern Europe) were assessed. Relation of protein intake, within isoenergetic exchange patterns, from vegetable or animal sources with risk of overweight/obesity was assessed through the multivariate nutrient density model and a multivariate-adjusted logistic regression. A total of 2413 subjects who completed the Food4Me screening were included, with self-reported data on age, weight, height, physical activity and dietary intake. As success rates on reducing overweight/obesity are very low, form a public health perspective, the elaboration of policies for increasing intakes of vegetable protein and reducing animal protein and sugars, may be a method of combating overweight/obesity at a population level.

Association between dietary protein intake and prostate cancer risk: evidence from a meta-analysis

BackgroundMany studies were conducted to explore the relationship between dietary protein intake and risk of prostate cancer, obtaining inconsistent results. Therefore, this study aims to comprehensively explore the predicted role of dietary protein intake for risk of prostate cancer.MethodsDatabases of Web of Knowledge, PubMed, Chinese National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), and Wan Fang Med Online were searched up to August 30, 2017. Eligible studies were included based on our definite inclusion criteria. Summarized relative risk (RR) and corresponding 95% confidence interval (CI) were pooled with a random effects model. Sensitive analysis and publication bias were performed.ResultsAt the end, a total of 12 articles comprising 13,483 prostate cancer cases and 286,245 participants were included. The summary RR and 95%CI of the highest protein intake compared to those with the lowest protein intake on prostate cancer risk were 0.993 (95%CI = 0.930–1.061), with no between-study heterogeneity found (I2 = 0.0%, P = 0.656). Moreover, the association was not significant on prostate cancer risk with animal protein intake [RR = 1.001, 95%CI = 0.917–1.092] or vegetable protein intake [RR = 0.986, 95%CI = 0.904–1.076]. The results were not changed when we conducted subgroup analysis by study design, cancer type, or geographic locations. We did not detect any publication bias using Egger’s test (P = 0.296) and funnel plot.ConclusionOur study concluded that protein intake may be not associated on prostate cancer.

Associations of lifestyle factors with serum dehydroepiandrosterone sulphate and insulin-like growth factor-1 concentration in prepubertal children.

Little is known about the relationships of dietary factors, physical activity and sedentary behaviour to dehydroepiandrosterone sulphate (DHEAS) and insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) concentrations among prepubertal children. Therefore, we studied the associations of these lifestyle factors with serum DHEAS and IGF-1 in children. Cross-sectional analysis of a population sample of 431 prepubertal children aged 6-9years. Assessment of dietary factors by food records and physical activity and sedentary behaviour by a combined heart rate and movement monitor and a questionnaire. Measurement of serum DHEAS and IGF-1. Consumption of low-fibre grain products (standardized regression coefficient β=.118, P=.017) and intake of vegetable protein (β=.100, P=.045) was positively and consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages (β=-.117, P=.018) was inversely associated with DHEAS after adjustment for sex, age and body fat percentage. Energy intake (β=.160, P=.001) was positively associated with IGF-1 adjusting for sex, age and body fat percentage. Vigorous physical activity was inversely associated with DHEAS after adjustment for sex and age (β=-.120, P=.027), and total (β=-.137, P=.007), moderate (β=-.130, P=.012), vigorous (β=-.136, P=.011) and moderate to vigorous physical activity (β=-.160, P=.003) were inversely and total sedentary behaviour (β=.151, P=.003) was positively associated with IGF-1 adjusting for sex and age. None of physical activity measures was associated with DHEAS or IGF-1 after additional adjustment for body fat percentage. Lifestyle factors have weak and moderate associations with biochemical markers of adrenarche in prepubertal children. These associations indicate body fat independent and dependent influences of diet and physical activity, respectively.

Dietary Protein Intake and Early Menopause in the Nurses' Health Study II.

Early menopause, which is the cessation of ovarian function before age 45 years, affects 5%-10% of Western women and is associated with an increased risk of adverse health outcomes. Literature suggests that high levels of vegetable protein intake may prolong female reproductive function. We evaluated the association of long-term intake of vegetable protein, animal protein, and specific protein-rich foods with incidence of early natural menopause in the Nurses' Health Study II cohort. Women included in analyses (n = 85,682) were premenopausal at baseline (1991) and followed until 2011 for onset of natural menopause. Protein intake was assessed via food frequency questionnaire. In Cox proportional hazard models that were adjusted for age, smoking, body mass index, and other factors, women in the highest quintile of cumulatively averaged vegetable protein intake (median, 6.5% of calories) had a significant 16% lower risk of early menopause compared with women in the lowest quintile (3.9% of calories; 95% confidence interval: 0.73, 0.98; P for trend = 0.02). Intake of specific foods, including pasta, dark bread, and cold cereal, was also associated with lower risk (P < 0.05). Conversely, animal protein intake was unrelated to risk. High consumption of vegetable protein, equivalent to 3-4 servings per day of protein-rich foods, is associated with lower incidence of early menopause in US women.

Dietary Protein Intake and Stroke Risk in a General Japanese Population: The Hisayama Study.

The influence of dietary protein intake on stroke risk is an area of interest. We investigated the association between dietary protein intake and stroke risk in Japanese, considering sources of protein. A total of 2400 subjects aged 40 to 79 years were followed up for 19 years. Dietary protein intake was estimated using a 70-item semiquantitative food frequency questionnaire. The risk estimates for incident stroke and its subtypes were calculated using a Cox proportional hazards model. During the follow-up, 254 participants experienced stroke events; of these, 172 had ischemic stroke, and 58 had intracerebral hemorrhage. Higher total protein intake was significantly associated with lower risks of stroke and intracerebral hemorrhage (both P for trend <0.05). With regard to sources of protein, the risks of total stroke and ischemic stroke significantly decreased by 40% (95% confidence interval, 12%-59%) and 40% (5%-62%), respectively, in subjects with the highest quartile of vegetable protein intake compared with those with the lowest one. In contrast, subjects with the highest quartile of animal protein intake had a 53% (4%-77%) lower risk of intracerebral hemorrhage. Vegetable protein intake was positively correlated with intakes of soybean products, vegetable, and algae, whereas animal protein intake was positively correlated with intakes of fish, meat, eggs, and milk/dairy products. Both types of protein intakes were negatively correlated with intakes of rice and alcohol. Our findings suggest that higher dietary protein intake is associated with a reduced risk of stroke in the general Japanese population.

Peripheral skeleton bone strength is positively correlated with total and dairy protein intakes in healthy postmenopausal women

Bone mineral content (BMC) and bone mineral density (BMD) are positively correlated with dietary protein intakes, which account for 1-8% of BMC and BMD variances. However, the relation between bone strength and microstructure, which are variables that are not captured by areal bone mineral density (aBMD), and dietary protein intakes, particularly from specific dietary sources, has not been clearly established. We investigated the association between the peripheral skeleton-predicted failure load and stiffness, bone microstructure, and dietary protein intakes from various origins (animal, divided into dairy and nondairy, and vegetable origins) in healthy postmenopausal women. In a cross-sectional study in 746 Caucasian women aged 65.0 ± 1.4 y, we measured the aBMD with the use of dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry, the distal radius and tibia bone microstructures with the use of high-resolution peripheral quantitative computerized tomography, and bone strength with the use of a finite element analysis, and we evaluated dietary protein and calcium with the use of a validated food-frequency questionnaire. Mean dietary calcium and protein intakes were greater than recommended amounts for this class of age. The predicted failure load and stiffness at the distal radius and tibia were positively associated with total, animal, and dairy protein intakes but not with vegetable protein intake. Failure load differences were accompanied by modifications of the aBMD and of cortical and trabecular bone microstructures. The associations remained statistically significant after adjustment for weight, height, physical activity, menopause duration, calcium intake, and the interaction between calcium and protein intake. A principal component analysis of the volumetric BMD and bone microstructure indicated that trabecular bone mainly contributed to the positive association between protein intakes and bone strength. These results, which were recorded in a very homogeneous population of healthy postmenopausal women, indicate that there is a beneficial effect of animal and dairy protein intakes on bone strength and microstructure. Specifically, there is a positive association between the bone failure load and stiffness of the peripheral skeleton and dietary protein intake, which is mainly related to changes in the trabecular microstructure. This trial was registered at www.controlled-trials.com as ISRCTN11865958.

Protein Intake, Especially Vegetable Protein Intake, Is Associated with Higher Skeletal Muscle Mass in Elderly Patients with Type 2 Diabetes.

Background/Aims Protein intake is important for maintaining muscle mass in general population. However, it remains to be elucidated the association between dietary protein intake and skeletal muscle mass in elderly patients with type 2 diabetes. Methods In this cross-sectional study of 168 elderly patients with type 2 diabetes, we investigated the relationship between skeletal muscle index (SMI) and protein intake. Bioimpedance analysis was used for measurement for skeletal muscle mass (kg) and SMI (%), which was defined as skeletal muscle mass (kg)/total body weight (kg) × 100. Habitual food and nutrient intake were estimated by a questionnaire. Results Protein intake was independently correlated with SMI after adjusting for age, hemoglobin A1c, C-peptide index, exercise, smoking, insulin treatment, total energy intake, and C-reactive protein (standardized regression coefficient = 0.664, P < 0.001 in men and standardized regression coefficient = 0.516, P = 0.005 in women). Additionally, the animal protein to vegetable protein ratio was negatively correlated with SMI after adjusting for covariates in men (standardized regression coefficient = −0.339, P = 0.005). Conclusions We found that total protein intake, especially vegetable protein intake, was positively associated with skeletal muscle mass in elderly patients with type 2 diabetes.

Dietary factors and fibroblast growth factor-23 levels in young adults with African ancestry.

Fibroblast growth factor-23 (FGF23), a phosphaturic hormone secreted mainly by osteocytes, maintains serum phosphate levels within a tight range by promoting phosphaturia. Previous studies have mainly focused on the link between FGF23 levels and dietary intake of phosphate, but other dietary factors may also influence FGF23 levels. This cross-sectional study pooled three populations of young adults with African ancestry (452 in Chicago, IL, USA; 477 in Victoria, Seychelles; and 482 in Kumasi, Ghana) with estimated glomerular filtration rate >80ml/min/1.73m2 to examine the association of dietary factors based on two 24-h recalls with FGF23 levels measured using a C-terminal assay. Linear regression was used to examine the association between log-transformed FGF23 levels and quartiles of calorie-adjusted dietary factors with adjustment for covariates. In the pooled sample of 1411 study participants, the mean age was 35.2 (6.2) years and 45.3% were male. Median plasma C-terminal FGF23 values in relative units (RU)/ml were 59.5 [interquartile range (IQR) 44.1, 85.3] in the USA, 43.2 (IQR 33.1, 57.9) in Seychelles, and 34.0 (IQR 25.2, 50.4) in Ghana. With adjustment for covariates, increasing quartiles of calcium and animal protein and decreasing quartiles of vegetable protein, fiber, and magnesium intake were associated with significantly higher FGF23 levels compared to the lowest quartile. After further adjustment for dietary factors, significant trends in FGF23 levels were noted only for quartiles of calcium, fiber, and magnesium intake (P<0.001). Dietary factors other than phosphate are associated with FGF23 levels in young adults.

Dietary protein and fat intake in relation to risk of colorectal adenoma in Korean.

Consumption of red meat and alcohol are known risk factors for colorectal cancer, but associations for dietary fat remain unclear. We investigated the associations of dietary fat, protein, and energy intake with prevalence of colorectal adenoma.We performed a prospective cross-sectional study on asymptomatic persons who underwent a screening colonoscopy at a single center during a routine health check-up from May to December 2011. Dietary data were obtained via a validated Food Frequency Questionnaire (FFQ), assisted by a registered dietician. We also obtained information on alcohol consumption and smoking status, and measured metabolic syndrome markers including abdominal circumference, blood pressure, fasting glucose, serum triglyceride and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol. We calculated odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence interval (CI) to evaluate the associations using the polytomous logistic regression models. As a secondary analysis, we also conducted a matched analysis, matched by age and sex (557 cases and 557 non-cases).The study sample included 557 cases (406 males and 151 females) with histopathologically confirmed colorectal adenoma, and 1157 controls (650 males and 507 females). The proportion of advanced adenoma was 28.1% of men and 18.5% of female, respectively. Although vegetable protein intake was inversely associated with the prevalence of colorectal adenoma, further adjustment for potential confounding factors attenuated the association, resulting in no significant associations. There were no significant associations between dietary fat intake and colorectal adenoma in energy-adjusted models. For vegetable protein in women, the OR for the comparison of those in the highest tertile with those in the lowest tertile was 0.47 (95% CI 0.25–0.91, P for trend = 0.07) after adjustment for total energy intake. However, after controlling for metabolic syndrome markers, body mass index, smoking status, alcohol consumption, and family history of colorectal adenoma, which were all significantly high in the colorectal adenoma patients group, the association became attenuated (OR 0.54, 95% CI 0.27–1.11, P for trend = 0.13).In conclusion, we did not observe the significant associations for intakes of total energy, total, animal and vegetable fats, and total, animal and vegetable proteins in relation to colorectal adenoma prevalence.

Association of dietary protein and dairy intakes and change in renal function: results from the population-based longitudinal Doetinchem cohort study

Background: Evidence has suggested that protein from dairy may be less detrimental to renal health than protein from nondairy products. However, to our knowledge, no previous studies have used cystatin C–based measures of the estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR).Objective: We investigated the associations of sources of protein and dairy with the change in the eGFR in persons with a normal or mildly decreased eGFR.Design: We included 3798 participants, aged 26–65 y, from the Doetinchem Cohort study who were examined ≥3 times 5 y apart. Intakes of protein and dairy and subtypes of protein and dairy were assessed at each round. With the use of the Chronic Kidney Disease Epidemiology Collaboration equation, the eGFR was estimated from cystatin C with all available samples per participant examined in one assay run. Generalized estimating equation models, which were adjusted for lifestyle, biological, and other dietary factors (monounsaturated fat, polyunsaturated fat, phosphorus, magnesium, calcium, and vitamin D) were performed.Results: The mean baseline eGFR in the total cohort and in subjects with a mildly decreased eGFR (≥1 eGFR of 60–90 mL · min−1 · 1.73 m−2 during follow-up; n = 1326) was 108.6 and 95.2 mL · min−1 · 1.73 m−2, and the mean annual decline in both groups was 1.01 and 1.34 mL · min−1 · 1.73 m−2, respectively. Intakes of total, vegetable, animal, and nondairy protein, dairy protein, cheese, total dairy, high-fat dairy, and fermented dairy were not associated with eGFR changes. In individuals with a mildly decreased eGFR, higher consumption of milk, milk products, and low-fat dairy was associated with less annual decline in the eGFR (P-trend = 0.003). These associations were partially explained by dietary components of dairy (monounsaturated fat, polyunsaturated fat, phosphorus, magnesium, calcium, and vitamin D; P-trend < 0.04).Conclusions: Higher low-fat dairy consumption, but not sources of protein, is associated with less annual decline in the eGFR, particularly in individuals with a mildly decreased eGFR. These associations are partly attributable to other major components of dairy. Confirmation of these results will improve our ability to understand the role of dairy consumption in the prevention of renal dysfunction.

Abstract 11363: Association of Dietary Protein, Animal and Vegetable Protein With the Incidence of Heart Failure Among Postmenopausal Women

Background: Heart failure (HF) is a highly prevalent disease especially in post-menopausal women. A better understanding of nutrition-related factors associated with HF is needed. Misclassification of diet due to self-reports can be partially ameliorated by use of biomarker calibration equations. Objectives: This study evaluated prospectively the association between biomarker calibrated dietary protein intake and the incidence of heart failure in a cohort of postmenopausal women. In addition, we studied the effect of energy adjusted animal and plant based dietary protein and the incidence of HF. Methods: Study participants are postmenopausal women (n=103,878) who are free of Heart Failure at baseline, evaluated from 1993-1998 in the Women health Initiative (WHI). We used self-reported intakes of total dietary protein, animal protein, and vegetable protein based upon a Food Frequency Questionnaire (FFQ) and calibration equations for protein derived from urinary nitrogen excretion and energy calibration based upon doubly labeled water. The association between dietary protein intake and the incidence Heart Failure was evaluated using cox proportional hazards models, and treating age as a continuous variable within age strata due to Simpson’s paradox. Results: Among 103,878 women in the study sample, 1711 women developed HF through 2005. Incremental biomarker calibrated dietary protein consumption was associated with an increase in the risk for Heart Failure. An inverse association was found between higher intakes of energy adjusted vegetable protein and HF although this association wasn’t statically significant if the association was adjusted to BMI and diet quality. Conclusion: Higher total dietary protein intake (calibrated), appears to be associated with substantially increased heart failure risk while the vegetable protein intake appears to be protective against developing Heart Failure. Further studies are needed to explore this association.

Dietary Intake of Protein in Early Childhood Is Associated with Growth Trajectories between 1 and 9 Years of Age

Background: High protein intake in infancy might lead to a higher body mass index (BMI) in childhood. However, whether these associations differ between different sources of protein is unclear.Objective: We investigated associations between the intake of total protein, protein from different sources, and individual amino acids in early childhood and repeatedly measured height, weight, and BMI up to the age of 9 y.Methods: This study was performed in 3564 children participating in the Generation R Study, a population-based prospective cohort study in Rotterdam, Netherlands. Intakes of total protein, animal protein, vegetable protein, and individual amino acids (including methionine, arginine, lysine, threonine, valine, leucine, isoleucine, phenylalanine, tryptophan, histidine, cysteine, tyrosine, alanine, asparagine, glutamine, glycine, proline, and serine) at 1 y were assessed by using a food-frequency questionnaire. Height and weight were measured at the approximate ages of 14, 18, 24, 30, 36, and 45 mo and at 6 and 9 y, and BMI was calculated.Results: After adjustment for confounders, linear mixed models showed that a 10-g higher total protein intake/d at 1 y was significantly associated with a 0.03-SD greater height (95% CI: 0.00, 0.06), a 0.06-SD higher weight (95% CI: 0.03, 0.09), and a 0.05-SD higher BMI (95% CI: 0.03, 0.08) up to the age of 9 y. Associations were stronger for animal than for vegetable protein intake but did not differ between dairy and nondairy animal protein or between specific amino acids.Conclusions: A higher intake of protein, especially animal protein, at 1 y of age was associated with a greater height, weight, and BMI in childhood up to 9 y of age. Future studies should explore the role of growth hormones and investigate whether protein intake in early childhood affects health later in life.

The Association between Total Protein and Vegetable Protein Intake and Low Muscle Mass among the Community-Dwelling Elderly Population in Northern Taiwan.

Sarcopenia, highly linked with fall, frailty, and disease burden, is an emerging problem in aging society. Higher protein intake has been suggested to maintain nitrogen balance. Our objective was to investigate whether pre-sarcopenia status was associated with lower protein intake. A total of 327 community-dwelling elderly people were recruited for a cross-sectional study. We adopted the multivariate nutrient density model to identify associations between low muscle mass and dietary protein intake. The general linear regression models were applied to estimate skeletal muscle mass index across the quartiles of total protein and vegetable protein density. Participants with diets in the lowest quartile of total protein density (<13.2%) were at a higher risk for low muscle mass (odds ratio (OR) 3.03, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.37–6.72) than those with diets in the highest quartile (≥17.2%). Similarly, participants with diets in the lowest quartile of vegetable protein density (<5.8%) were at a higher risk for low muscle mass (OR 2.34, 95% CI 1.14–4.83) than those with diets in the highest quartile (≥9.4%). Furthermore, the estimated skeletal muscle mass index increased significantly across the quartiles of total protein density (p = 0.023) and vegetable protein density (p = 0.025). Increasing daily intakes of total protein and vegetable protein densities appears to confer protection against pre-sarcopenia status.

Dietary Protein Intake and Risk of Type 2 Diabetes in US Men and Women.

Dietary proteins are important modulators of glucose metabolism. However, few longitudinal studies have evaluated the associations between intake of protein and protein type and risk of type 2 diabetes (T2D). We investigated the associations between total, animal, and vegetable protein and incident T2D in 72,992 women from the Nurses' Health Study (1984-2008), 92,088 women from Nurses' Health Study II (1991-2009) and 40,722 men from the Health Professionals Follow-up Study (1986-2008). During 4,146,216 person-years of follow-up, we documented 15,580 cases of T2D. In pooled multivariate models including body mass index, participants in the highest quintiles of percentage of energy derived from total protein and animal protein had 7% (95% confidence interval (CI): 1, 17) and 13% (95% CI: 6, 21) increased risks of T2D compared with those in the lowest quintiles, respectively. Percentage of energy intake from vegetable protein was associated with a moderately decreased risk of T2D (comparing extreme quintiles, hazard ratio =0.91, 95% CI: 0.84, 0.98). Substituting 5% of energy intake from vegetable protein for animal protein was associated with a 23% (95% CI: 16, 30) reduced risk of T2D. In conclusion, higher intake of animal protein was associated with an increased risk of T2D, while higher intake of vegetable protein was associated with a modestly reduced risk.

Vegetable protein intake is associated with lower gallbladder disease risk: Findings from the Women's Health Initiative prospective cohort

ObjectiveThis study aimed to measure associations between gallbladder disease and protein intake patterns, separated by quantity and type (vegetable vs. animal), among postmenopausal women. MethodsAnalyses were based on 130,859 postmenopausal women enrolled from 1993 to 1998 at 40 U.S. clinical centers in the Women's Health Initiative clinical trials and observational study. Women were excluded if they reported a history of gallbladder disease prior to baseline. Cox proportional hazards regression models, adjusted for gallbladder disease risk factors, were used to estimate hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for associations between energy-adjusted protein intake and gallbladder disease. ResultsIn this study sample, 8.1% of postmenopausal women self-reported incident gallbladder disease. In multivariate analysis, women in the highest quintile of energy-adjusted vegetable protein intake (>24.0g/d) had a lower risk of gallbladder disease (HR, 0.87; 95% CI, 0.81–0.93) as compared to women in the lowest quintile (<16.3g/d) (Ptrend<0.001). Total protein intake was modestly protective against gallbladder disease (Ptrend<0.021). Animal protein intake was not associated with gallbladder disease risk. The protective effect of vegetable protein held stable only for women without history of diabetes (HR, 0.86; 95% CI, 0.80–0.92) and without recent weight loss (HR, 0.88; 95% CI, 0.80–0.97). ConclusionsVegetable protein intake is inversely associated with gallbladder disease risk in our sample of postmenopausal women. In addition to weight management, healthcare providers could emphasize vegetable protein as an additional dietary modality to promote lower risk for gallbladder disease.

Macronutrients Intake and Incident Frailty in Older Adults: A Prospective Cohort Study.

Only a few studies have assessed the association between protein intake and frailty incidence and have obtained inconsistent results. This study examined the association of protein and other macronutrient intake with the risk of frailty in older adults. A prospective cohort of 1,822 community-dwelling individuals aged 60 and older was recruited in 2008-2010 and followed-up through 2012. At baseline, food consumption was assessed with a validated, computerized face-to-face diet history. In 2012, individuals were contacted again to ascertain incident frailty, defined as the presence of at least three of the five Fried criteria: low physical activity, slowness, unintentional weight loss, muscle weakness, and exhaustion. Analyses were performed using logistic regression and adjusted for the main confounders, including total energy intake. During a mean follow-up of 3.5 years, 132 persons with incident frailty were identified. The odds ratios (95% confidence interval) of frailty across increasing quartiles of total protein were 1.00, 0.55 (0.32-0.93), 0.45 (0.26-0.78), and 0.41 (0.23-0.72); p trend: .001. The corresponding figures for animal protein intake were 1.00, 0.68 (0.40-1.17), 0.56 (0.32-0.97), and 0.48 (0.26-0.87), p trend: .011. And for intake of monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFAs), the results were 1.00, 0.66 (0.37-1.20), 0.54 (0.28-1.02), and 0.50 (0.26-0.96); p trend: .038. No association was found between intake of vegetable protein, saturated fats, long-chain ω-3 fatty acids, α-linolenic acid, linoleic acid, simple sugars, or polysaccharides and the risk of frailty. Intake of total protein, animal protein, and MUFAs was inversely associated with incident frailty. Promoting the intake of these nutrients might reduce frailty.