For Older Adults, a Protein-Rich Diet Is Important for Health

Up to 33 percent of older adults have inadequate protein intake because of reduced appetite, dental issues, impaired taste, swallowing problems, and limited financial resources, reports the Washington Post . A 2018 study "suggests that older adults who consume more protein have better outcomes," notes Tufts University's Paul Jacques. Seniors afflicted with acute or chronic diseases are suggested to consume 1.2 to 1.5 grams of protein per kilogram of body weight each day, although researchers caution that the exact amount needed "depends on the disease, its severity," and other factors. "Protein becomes much more important during events in an older adult's life that force them into a situation of muscle disuse — a hip or knee replacement, for instance," adds McMaster University's Stuart Phillip. Also recommended for older adults is to spread their protein consumption evenly throughout the day, with research finding that seniors are less efficient at processing protein in their diet and may require a larger "per-meal dose." According to University of Texas Professor Elena Volpi, "The total dose that you eat may not matter as much as the dose you eat at a given meal. If I eat too little protein during a meal, I may not adequately stimulate the uptake of amino acids into skeletal muscle. If I eat too much ... I won't be able to store all of it away."