Evidence that protein requirements have been significantly underestimated.
OBJECTIVE
This review discusses recent evidence that suggests a significant underestimation of protein requirements in adult humans.


RESULTS
Traditionally, total protein requirements for humans have been determined using nitrogen balance. The recent Dietary Reference Intake recommendations for mean and population-safe intakes of 0.66 and 0.8 g/kg/day, respectively, of high-quality protein in adult humans are based on a meta-analysis of nitrogen balance studies using single linear regression analysis. We reanalyzed existing nitrogen balance studies using two-phase linear regression analysis and obtained mean and safe protein requirements of 0.91 and 0.99 g/kg/day, respectively. The two-phase linear regression analysis is considered more appropriate for biological analysis of dose-response curves. Considering the inherent problems associated with the nitrogen balance method, we developed an alternative method, the indicator amino acid oxidation technique, to determine protein requirements The mean and population-safe requirements in adult men were determined to be 0.93 and 1.2 g/kg/day and are 41 and 50%, respectively, higher than the current Dietary Reference Intakes recommendations.


CONCLUSIONS
The indicator amino acid oxidation-based requirement values of 0.93 and 1.2 g protein/kg/day and the reanalysis of existing nitrogen balance studies are significantly higher than current recommendations. Therefore, there is an urgent need to reassess recommendations for protein intake in adult humans.
Elango
Rajavel
R
The Research Institute, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Canada.
Humayun
Mohammad A
MA
Ball
Ronald O
RO
Pencharz
Paul B
PB
D000328:Adult; D000596:Amino Acids / Q000378:metabolism; D004032:Diet; D004044:Dietary Proteins / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D016014:Linear Models; D008297:Male; D009584:Nitrogen / Q000378:metabolism; D009751:Nutritional Requirements; D010084:Oxidation-Reduction
D000596:Amino Acids; D004044:Dietary Proteins; D009584:Nitrogen