title: Protein: A nutrient in focus.
abstract: Protein is an essential component of a healthy diet and is a focus of research programs seeking to optimize health at all stages of life. The focus on protein as a nutrient often centers on its thermogenic and satiating effect, and when included as part of a healthy diet, its potential to preserve lean body mass. A growing body of literature, including stable isotope based studies and longer term dietary interventions, suggests that current dietary protein recommendations may not be sufficient to promote optimal muscle health in all populations. A protein intake moderately higher than current recommendations has been widely endorsed by many experts and working groups and may provide health benefits for aging populations. Further, consuming moderate amounts of high-quality protein at each meal may optimally stimulate 24-h muscle protein synthesis and may provide a dietary platform that favors the maintenance of muscle mass and function while promoting successful weight management in overweight and obese individuals. Dietary protein has the potential to serve as a key nutrient for many health outcomes and benefits might be increased when combined with adequate physical activity. Future studies should focus on confirming these health benefits from dietary protein with long-term randomized controlled studies.
authors.affiliation: a Division of Rehabilitation Science, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX 77555-0144, USA.
authors.forename: Emily
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Arentson-Lantz
authors.affiliation: b Clairmont Digestive Clinic, 35 Union St E, Waterloo, ON N2J 1T9, Canada.
authors.forename: Stephanie
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Clairmont
authors.affiliation: a Division of Rehabilitation Science, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX 77555-0144, USA.|c Department of Nutrition and Metabolism, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX 77555-0147, USA.
authors.forename: Douglas
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Paddon-Jones
authors.affiliation: d Département de kinésiologie - Faculté de médecine, Université Laval, QC G1V 0A6, Canada.
authors.forename: Angelo
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Tremblay
authors.affiliation: e Child and Family Research Institute, BC Children's Hospital, Vancouver, BC V5Z 4H4, Canada.|f Department of Pediatrics, University of British Columbia, BC V6H 3V4, Canada.|g School of Population and Public Health, University of British Columbia, BC V6T 1Z3, Canada.
authors.forename: Rajavel
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Elango
mesh_terms: D000375:Aging; D004044:Dietary Proteins; D006801:Humans; D009133:Muscular Atrophy / Q000517:prevention & control; D009751:Nutritional Requirements
chemical_list: D004044:Dietary Proteins
keywords: IAAO; OAAI; aging; distribution de l’apport; gestion du poids; intake distribution; protein; protéines; recommandations; requirement; sarcopenia; sarcopénie; satiety; satiété; vieillissement; weight management