Protein has become the star of the modern diet. From shakes, bars and powders to viral fitness advice, the message seems clear: more protein equals better health.
But research from Texas A&M University suggests it’s not that simple.
For decades, nutrition guidance has centered on a single benchmark: about 0.8 grams of protein per kilogram of body weight per day. That recommendation was designed to meet the needs of nearly all healthy people, and it remains the standard used in dietary guidelines today.
According to Dr. Nicolaas Deutz, director of the Center for Translational Research in Aging and Longevity, the problem is that this guideline was never meant to apply to everyone. Two people with the same body weight may have different requirements depending on factors like sex, activity level, age and overall health.
“We need to think more on an individual basis,” Deutz said. “You cannot take one value. Protein requirements were never meant for special populations — they were only meant for healthy, young people. When you get older, your requirements change, and more importantly, if you have a chronic disease, your requirements are also different. So, you cannot use this one number in all cases.”
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