Skip to content
naulon

No retraction, correction or concern found when last checked on Oct 21, 2026.

Protein for Life: Review of Optimal Protein Intake, Sustainable Dietary Sources and the Effect on Appetite in Ageing Adults

Marta Lonnie, Emma Hooker, Jeffrey Brunstrom and 7 more

Nutrients · 2018 · Review · CC BY

doi:10.3390/nu10030360

Abstract

With an ageing population, dietary approaches to promote health and independence later in life are needed. In part, this can be achieved by maintaining muscle mass and strength as people age. New evidence suggests that current dietary recommendations for protein intake may be insufficient to achieve this goal and that individuals might benefit by increasing their intake and frequency of consumption of high-quality protein. However, the environmental effects of increasing animal-protein production are a concern, and alternative, more sustainable protein sources should be considered. Protein is known to be more satiating than other macronutrients, and it is unclear whether diets high in plant proteins affect the appetite of older adults as they should be recommended for individuals at risk of malnutrition. The review considers the protein needs of an ageing population (>40 years old), sustainable protein sources, appetite-related implications of diets high in plant proteins, and related areas for future research.

References 121

  1. 1.

    Office for National Statistics (ONS). Population Ageing in the United Kingdom, Its Constituent Countries and the European Union.

    Not in our library

  2. 2.

    Wolfe R.R. The role of dietary protein in optimizing muscle mass, function and health outcomes in older individuals. Br. J. Nutr. 2012;108:S88-S93.

    Not in our library10.1017/s0007114512002590

  3. 3.

    Bauer J., Biolo G., Cederholm T., Cesari M., Cruz-Jentoft A.J., Morley J.E., Phillips S., Sieber C., Stehle P., Teta D., et al. Evidence-based recommendations for optimal dietary protein intake in older people: A position paper from the PROT-AGE Study Group. J. Am. Med. Dir. Assoc. 2013;14:542-559.

    Not in our library10.1016/j.jamda.2013.05.021

  4. 4.

    Bradlee M.L., Mustafa J., Singer M.R., Moore L.L. High-Protein Foods and Physical Activity Protect Against Age-Related Muscle Loss and Functional Decline. J. Gerontol. A Biol. Sci. Med. Sci. 2017;25.

    Not in our library10.1093/gerona/glx070

  5. 5.

    Lexell J., Taylor C.C., Sjöström M. What is the cause of the ageing atrophy? Total number, size and proportion of different fiber types studied in whole vastus lateralis muscle from 15- to 83-year-old men. J. Neurol. Sci. 1988;84:275-294.

    Not in our library10.1016/0022-510x(88)90132-3

  6. 6.

    Faulkner J.A., Larkin L.M., Claflin D.R., Brooks S.V. Age-related changes in the structure and function of skeletal muscles. Clin. Exp. Pharmacol. Physiol. 2007;34:1091-1096.

    Not in our library10.1111/j.1440-1681.2007.04752.x

  7. 7.
  8. 8.

    Larsson L., Grimby G., Karlsson J. Muscle strength and speed of movement in relation to age and muscle morphology. J. Appl. Physiol. 1979;46:451-456.

    Not in our library10.1152/jappl.1979.46.3.451

  9. 9.

    Campbell W.W., Trappe T.A., Wolfe R.R., Evans W.J. The recommended dietary allowance for protein may not be adequate for older people to maintain skeletal muscle. J. Gerontol. A Biol. Sci. Med. Sci. 2001;56:M373-M380.

    Not in our library10.1093/gerona/56.6.m373

  10. 10.

    Wolfe R.R., Miller S.L., Miller K.B. Optimal protein intake in the elderly. Clin. Nutr. 2008;27:675-684.

    Not in our library10.1016/j.clnu.2008.06.008

  11. 11.

    Deutz N.E., Bauer J.M., Barazzoni R., Biolo G., Boirie Y., Bosy-Westphal A., Cederholm T., Cruz-Jentoft A., Krznariç Z., Nair K.S., et al. Protein intake and exercise for optimal muscle function with ageing: Recommendations from the ESPEN Expert Group. Clin. Nutr. 2014;33:929-936.

    Not in our library10.1016/j.clnu.2014.04.007

  12. 12.

    Phillips S.M., Chevalier S., Leidy H.J. Protein “requirements” beyond the RDA: Implications for optimizing health. Appl. Physiol. Nutr. Metab. 2016;41:565-572.

    Not in our library10.1139/apnm-2015-0550

  13. 13.
  14. 14.

    Dideriksen K.J., Reitelseder S., Petersen S.G., Hjort M., Helmark I.C., Kjaer M., Holm L. Stimulation of muscle protein synthesis by whey and caseinate ingestion after resistance exercise in elderly individuals. Scand. J. Med. Sci. Sports. 2011;21:e372-e383.

    Not in our library10.1111/j.1600-0838.2011.01318.x

  15. 15.

    Cermak N.M., Res P.T., de Groot L.C., Saris W.H., van Loon L.J. Protein supplementation augments the adaptive response of skeletal muscle to resistance-type exercise training: A meta-analysis. Am. J. Clin. Nutr. 2012;96:1454-1464.

    Not in our library10.3945/ajcn.112.037556

  16. 16.

    Food and Agricultural Organisation (FAO). The State of Food Insecurity in the World, Addressing Food Insecurity in Protracted Crises. 2010.

    Not in our library

  17. 17.

    Nadathur S.R., Wanasundara J.P.D., Scanlin L. Sustainable Protein Sources. 2017.

    Not in our library

  18. 18.

    Wu G., Fanzo J., Miller D.D., Pingali P., Post M., Steiner J.L., Thalacker-Mercer A.E. Production and supply of high-quality food protein for human consumption: Sustainability, challenges, and innovations. Ann. N. Y. Acad. Sci. 2014;1321:1-19.

    Not in our library10.1111/nyas.12500

  19. 19.

    Food and Agricultural Organisation (FAO). FAOSTATS. 2009.

    Not in our library

  20. 20.

    Shu L., Zheng P.F., Zhang X.Y., Si C.J., Yu X.L., Gao W., Zhang L., Liao D. Association between Dietary Patterns and the Indicators of Obesity among Chinese: A Cross-Sectional Study. Nutrients. 2015;7:7995-8009.

    Not in our library10.3390/nu7095376

  21. 21.

    Jannasch F., Kröger J., Schulze M.B. Dietary Patterns and Type 2 Diabetes: A Systematic Literature Review and Meta-Analysis of Prospective Studies. J. Nutr. 2017;147:1174-1182.

    Not in our library10.3945/jn.116.242552

  22. 22.

    Shimazu T., Kuriyama S., Hozawa A., Ohmori K., Sato Y., Nakaya N., Nishino Y., Tsubono Y., Tsuji I. Dietary patterns and cardiovascular disease mortality in Japan: A prospective cohort study. Int. J. Epidemiol. 2007;36:600-609.

    Not in our library10.1093/ije/dym005

  23. 23.

    Rosato V., Edefonti V., Bravi F., Bosetti C., Bertuccio P., Talamini R., Dal Maso L., Montella M., Ferraroni M., La Vecchia C., et al. Nutrient-based dietary patterns and prostate cancer risk: A case-control study from Italy. Cancer Causes Control. 2014;25:525-532.

    Not in our library10.1007/s10552-014-0356-8

  24. 24.

    Food and Agricultural Organisation (FAO). Sustainable Diets and Biodiversity. 2012.

    Not in our library

  25. 25.

    Gerber P.J., Steinfeld H., Henderson B., Mottet A., Opio C., Dijkman J., Falcucci A., Tempio G. Tackling Climate Change through Livestock—A Global Assessment of Emissions and Mitigation Opportunities. 2013.

    Not in our library

  26. 26.

    Eggleston H.S., Buendia L., Miwa K., Ngara T., Tanabe K. IPCC Guidelines for National Greenhouse Gas Inventories, Prepared by the National Greenhouse Gas Inventories Programme. 2006.

    Not in our library

  27. 27.

    Favaro-Moreira N.C., Krausch-Hofmann S., Matthys C., Vereecken C., Vanhauwaert E., Declercq A., Bekkering G.E., Duyck J. Risk Factors for Malnutrition in Older Adults: A Systematic Review of the Literature Based on Longitudinal Data. Adv. Nutr. 2016;7:507-522.

    Not in our library10.3945/an.115.011254

  28. 28.

    Food and Nutrition Board (FNB) of the Institute of Medicine. Dietary Reference Intakes for Energy, Carbohydrate, Fibre, Fat, Fatty Acids, Cholesterol, Protein and Amino Acids (Macronutrients). 2005.

    Not in our library

  29. 29.

    World Health Organisation (WHO). Dietary Reference Intakes for Energy, Carbohydrate, Fibre, Fat, Fatty Acids, Cholesterol, Protein and Amino Acids (Macronutrients). 2007.

    Not in our library

  30. 30.

    Committee on Medical Aspects of Food and Nutrition Policy (COMA). Dietary reference values for food energy and nutrients for the United Kingdom. Report of the Panel on Dietary Reference Values of the Committee on Medical Aspects of Food Policy. 1991;1-210.

    Not in our library

  31. 31.

    Butterfield G.E., Calloway D.H. Physical activity improves protein utilisation in young men. Br. J. Nutr. 1984;61:171-184.

    Not in our library10.1079/bjn19840021

  32. 32.

    Hallal P.C., Andersen L.B., Bull F.C., Guthold R., Haskell W., Ekelund U. Lancet Physical Activity Series Working Group. Global physical activity levels: Surveillance progress, pitfalls, and prospects. Lancet. 2012;380:247-257.

    Not in our library10.1016/s0140-6736(12)60646-1

  33. 33.

    Millward D. Methodological considerations. Proc. Nutr. Soc. 2001;60:3-5.

    Not in our library10.1079/pns200064

  34. 34.

    Rand W.M., Pellett P.L., Young V.R. Meta-analysis of nitrogen balance studies for estimating protein requirements in healthy adults. Am. J. Clin. Nutr. 2003;77:109-127.

    Not in our library10.1093/ajcn/77.1.109

  35. 35.
  36. 36.

    Van Kan G.A. Epidemiology and consequences of sarcopenia. J. Nutr. Health Ageing. 2009;13:708-712.

    Not in our library10.1007/s12603-009-0201-z

  37. 37.

    Houston D.K., Nicklas B.J., Ding J., Harris T.B., Tylavsky F.A., Newman A.B., Lee J.S., Sahyoun N.R., Visser M., Kritchevsky S.B. Health ABC Study. Dietary protein intake is associated with lean mass change in older, community-dwelling adults: The Health, Ageing, and Body Composition (Health ABC) Study. Am. J. Clin. Nutr. 2008;87:150-155.

    Not in our library10.1093/ajcn/87.1.150

  38. 38.

    Paddon-Jones D., Rasmussen B.B. Dietary protein recommendations and the prevention of sarcopenia. Curr. Opin. Clin. Nutr. Metab. Care. 2009;12:86-90.

    Not in our library10.1097/mco.0b013e32831cef8b

  39. 39.

    Symons T.B., Sheffield-Moore M., Wolfe R.R., Paddon-Jones D. Moderation the portion size of a protein meal improves anabolic efficiency in young and elderly. J. Am. Diet. Assoc. 2009;109:1582-1586.

    Not in our library10.1016/j.jada.2009.06.369

  40. 40.

    Mamerow M.M., Mettler J.A., English K.L., Casperson S.L., Arentson-Lantz E., Sheffield-Moore M., Layman D.K., Paddon-Jones D. Dietary protein distribution positively influences 24-h muscle protein synthesis in healthy adults. J. Nutr. 2014;144:876-880.

    Not in our library10.3945/jn.113.185280

All 121 references

Cited by papers we hold 6

Reads

Read by people on this page

None yet.

Checked or read by AI through naulon

None yet.

A person counts once a day per paper. We keep no cookie and no address: a reader is a hash that changes every day. Any month under five reads shows no number.

Are you an author?

Is this your paper?

Claim it to add your note and be paid when agents cite it. Free.