1. NESTLÉ HEALTH SCIENCE
  2. HEALTH MANAGEMENT
  3. AGING
  4. PROTEIN AND ITS ROLE IN HEALTHY AGING

What are proteins?

After water our body is mostly composed of proteins. Indeed, proteins are the main component of cells and are essential to life. Proteins are often called “the building blocks of life”.

Proteins have complex structures: they are made up of many smaller units called amino acids. These are linked together in a chemical bond forming a long chain. Some of these amino acids are called "essential", meaning they are crucial for life but cannot be produced by the human body and must be gained through one’s diet.

There are many different types of proteins in the body. For example:
  • Muscle mass is made of protein
  • Collagen which provides strength and structure to tissues (e.g. cartilage)
  • Skin, hair and nails which are mainly composed of proteins
  • Hemoglobin which transports oxygen around the body
  • Most hormones which act as your body’s chemical messengers are also proteins
  • Enzymes which regulate all aspects of metabolism; they support important chemical reactions that allow you to digest food, generate energy to contract muscles, and regulate insulin production
  • Antibodies which play a role in your immune response
The importance of protein for good health
jam

Did you know?

A study showed that up to half of elderly people consume less than the daily recommended amount of protein. Inadequate protein intake is closely linked to loss of muscle strength and functionality.

Hartz, S. C. (1992) The WSS study population. In: Nutrition in the Elderly: The Boston Nutritional Status Survey (Hartz, S. C., Russell, R. M. & Rosenberg, J. H., eds.), London, Smith-Gordon, pp. 17–25.
laughing

Did you know?

The European Society of Clinical Nutrition and Metabolism (ESPEN) expert group have recommended increasing protein intake in elderly people compared to younger adults.

Deutz NE, et al. Protein intake and exercise for optimal muscle function with ageing: Recommendations from the ESPEN Expert Group. Clin Nutr. 2014.
water drinking

Did you know?

The European Society for Clinical and Economic Aspects of Osteoporosis and Osteoarthritis (ESCEO) has issued a consensus statement by which post menopausal women are recommended a higher protein intake (1.0-1.2g/kg/day) than the rest of healthy adults

Rizzoli, R. et al. The role of dietary protein and vitamin D in maintaining musculoskeletal health in postmenopausal women: A consensus statement from the European Society for Clinical and Economic Aspects of Osteoporosis and Osteoarthritis (ESCEO). Maturitas (2014).
exercise

Did you know?

Higher protein intake is associated with better strength, physical performance, and lean muscle mass in older adults.
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Did you know?
Protein is part of every cell. tissue & organ in our bodies. It contributes to building, repairing & maintaining tissues. Skin, nails, hair, muscles & bones are all made up of protein.
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Many hormones & enzymes that regulate body processes & chemical reactions are made of protein.
Antibodies, which form part of our immune response to fight disease, are also made of proteins.
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Proteins consist of amino acids. There are 20 amino acids needed by the body - 9 of which are "essential" and are not produced by the body.
Did you know?
Protein from animal sources (e.g. meat, fish and dairy products) contain the full range of essential amino acids. Grains, fruits, vegetables and nuts are sources of protein but may lack one or more essential amino acids.
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Protein likes company!
Consuming the right amount of protein is important.
Magnesium and Zinc contribute to normal protein synthesis
Folate is also important for normal amino acid synthesis

Protein abd its role In Healthy Aging

Not all protein is created equal

Dietary sources of protein include meats, eggs, plants and dairy products and not all of those are created equal. To assess the quality of dietary protein three criteria can be considered: protein biological value, protein efficiency ratio, and net protein utilization.

1. Biological value: based on the quantity of essential to non-essential amino acids. (Amino acids are the chemical units that constitute protein. While the human body can manufacture most amino acids on its own, it cannot synthesize certain amino acids in sufficient amounts to meet the body’s needs. Such amino acids are called “essential amino acids” because it is crucial that the body acquires them through dietary sources)
2. Protein efficiency ratio: indicating ability of a protein to support growth
3. Net protein utilization: percentage of amino acids converted to tissue protein versus the amino acids digested

Below are examples of different types of protein and their respective quality.

Quality Comparison between Protein Sources7

Type of Protein

Biological Value

Protein Efficiency Ratio

Net Protein Utilization

Whey (dairy)

104

3.2

92%

Milk protein (~80% Caseinate and ~20% whey protein)

91

3.1

82%

Casein (dairy)

77

2.5

76%

Soy Protein (plant)

74

2.1

61%



Additional sources support health benefits of protein for the elderly

People with low protein intake have higher bone and lean muscle mass loss:

  • The scientific community and health authorities such as the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) agree that protein from diet has a beneficial effect on the whole lean body mass, including muscle mass6.
  • The European Food Safety authority also states that protein is essential for the growth and maintenance of bones. Bone mass is at its maximum between ages 25 and 35 years and after this, there is a gradual decrease, which becomes more prominent with time11.

Older adults should seek to get enough protein through a healthy and balanced diet, and/or with the support of high quality nutritional supplements.

To learn more, read about Maintaining Mobility and The Allies for Healthy Aging.

1. Bauer J 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(8):542-559
2. Rousset S, et al. Daily protein intakes and eating patterns in young and elderly French. Br J Nutr 2003; 90:1107-1115
3. Fulgoni VL 3rd. Current protein intake in America: Analysis of the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, 2003-2004. Am J Clin Nutr 2008; 87:1554S-1557S
4. Paddon-Jones D et al. Role of dietary protein in the sarcopenia of aging. Am J Clin Nutr 2008; 87(suppl):1562S– 1566S
5. World Health Organization. Protein and amino acid requirements in human nutrition: Report of a joint WHO/FAO/UNU expert consultation. Geneva: WHO Press; 2007. Report 935
6. Institute of Medicine of the National academies. Dietary Reference Intakes for energy, carbohydrate, fiber, fat, fatty acids, cholesterol, protein, and amino acids (macronutrients). Washington, DC: The National Academies Press; 2005
7. European Food Safety Authority (EFSA). Outcome of a public consultation on the draft scientific opinion on the EFSA Panel on Dietetic Products, Nutrition, and Allergies (NDA) on dietary reference values for protein. (2012)
8. Bauer J 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(8):542-559
9. Rizzoli, R. et al. The role of dietary protein and vitamin D in maintaining musculoskeletal health in postmenopausal women: A consensus statement from the European Society for Clinical and Economic Aspects of Osteoporosis and Osteoarthritis (ESCEO). Maturitas. 2014; 79(1):122-32
10. European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) “Scientific Opinion on the substantiation of health claims related to protein and increase in satiety leading to a reduction in energy intake (ID 414, 616, 730), contribution to the maintenance or achievement of a normal body weight (ID 414, 616, 730), maintenance of normal bone (ID 416) and growth or maintenance of muscle mass (ID 415, 417, 593, 594, 595, 715) pursuant to Article 13(1) of Regulation (EC) No 1924/2006” (2010) https://www.efsa.europa.eu/en/efsajournal/pub/1811
11. European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) “Scientific Opinion on the substantiation of health claims related to protein and increase in satiety leading to a reduction in energy intake (ID 414, 616, 730), contribution to the maintenance or achievement of a normal body weight (ID 414, 616, 730), maintenance of normal bone (ID 416) and growth or maintenance of muscle mass (ID 415, 417, 593, 594, 595, 715) pursuant to Article 13(1) of Regulation (EC) No 1924/2006” (2010) https://www.efsa.europa.eu/en/efsajournal/pub/1811
Proteins have many crucial functions. Did you know?

  • The fibers of the muscle are made mostly of two proteins: myosin and actin. These slender fibers slide along one another to create movement. When protein intake is too low, the mechanisms for movement can be affected.
  • Proteins, like actin and tubulin, trigger essential processes in all living cells. These include cell division, cell shape maintenance and movements, amongst others.
Protein in the diet

Proteins are a type of macronutrient, which, along with carbohydrates and lipids, are needed by the body to function normally. Protein generally makes up 10% to 15% of the body’s energy needs. Our body is not able to store amino acids like it does for carbohydrates and fats. So we need a daily intake of amino acids through protein in our diets to make new protein. Protein should be consumed evenly across the day and be part of each meal.

Protein can be found in:

  • Animal sources, such as meat, fish, eggs and dairy products. These contain the full range of essential amino acids
  • Grains, fruits, vegetables and nuts, which may lack one or more essential amino acid
  • Specific nutritional supplements

Aging adults’ challenge of getting enough protein

It’s common that people eat less food with age. Contributing factors can be lack of appetite, changes to smell and taste, living alone, little interest in cooking, or difficultly in eating due to teeth/gum or denture problems. Eating less or eating sub-optimally means that older adults often miss out on getting enough important macro and micronutrients, despite their need for many nutrients being higher.

Protein is a macronutrient of particular concern; several studies1, 2, 3, 4 have reported that elderly people consume less than the daily recommended amount of protein. Inadequate protein intake is closely linked to loss of muscle strength and functionality.

How much protein do older adults need on a daily basis?

  • The recommended Reference Nutrient Intake (RNI) for adults is 0.83g of protein per kilogram bodyweight per day5, 6, 7.
  • Several nutrition experts have recommended that elderly people should increase their protein intake compared to younger adults. The PROT-AGE study group formed by experts from around the world recommends a intake of 1.0g to 1.2g of protein per kilogram of body weight per day for seniors8. This means:
    • A 50+ year old man weighing 80 kilograms should consume 80 to 96g of protein per day (which corresponds to 280-340 g of chicken breast per day).
    • A 50+ year old woman weighing 60 kilograms should consume 60 to 72g of protein per day (corresponding to 210-250 g of chicken breast).
  • Older women in particular, should increase their protein intake to 1.0-1.2g of protein per kilogram of body weight per day9.
jam

Did you know?

A study showed that up to half of elderly people consume less than the daily recommended amount of protein. Inadequate protein intake is closely linked to loss of muscle strength and functionality.

Hartz, S. C. (1992) The WSS study population. In: Nutrition in the Elderly: The Boston Nutritional Status Survey (Hartz, S. C., Russell, R. M. & Rosenberg, J. H., eds.), London, Smith-Gordon, pp. 17–25.
laughing

Did you know?

The European Society of Clinical Nutrition and Metabolism (ESPEN) expert group have recommended increasing protein intake in elderly people compared to younger adults.

Deutz NE, et al. Protein intake and exercise for optimal muscle function with ageing: Recommendations from the ESPEN Expert Group. Clin Nutr. 2014.
water drinking

Did you know?

The European Society for Clinical and Economic Aspects of Osteoporosis and Osteoarthritis (ESCEO) has issued a consensus statement by which post menopausal women are recommended a higher protein intake (1.0-1.2g/kg/day) than the rest of healthy adults

Rizzoli, R. et al. The role of dietary protein and vitamin D in maintaining musculoskeletal health in postmenopausal women: A consensus statement from the European Society for Clinical and Economic Aspects of Osteoporosis and Osteoarthritis (ESCEO). Maturitas (2014).
exercise

Did you know?

Higher protein intake is associated with better strength, physical performance, and lean muscle mass in older adults.
Health Management

What are proteins?

After water our body is mostly composed of proteins. Indeed, proteins are the main component of cells and are essential to life. Proteins are often called “the building blocks of life”.

Proteins have complex structures: they are made up of many smaller units called amino acids. These are linked together in a chemical bond forming a long chain. Some of these amino acids are called "essential", meaning they are crucial for life but cannot be produced by the human body and must be gained through one’s diet.

There are many different types of proteins in the body. For example:
  • Muscle mass is made of protein
  • Collagen which provides strength and structure to tissues (e.g. cartilage)
  • Skin, hair and nails which are mainly composed of proteins
  • Hemoglobin which transports oxygen around the body
  • Most hormones which act as your body’s chemical messengers are also proteins
  • Enzymes which regulate all aspects of metabolism; they support important chemical reactions that allow you to digest food, generate energy to contract muscles, and regulate insulin production
  • Antibodies which play a role in your immune response
The importance of protein for good health
Health Care
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