The Power of Protein for Older Adults
It is an established fact that protein plays a significant role in our lives. They contribute greatly to the growth, development, maintenance, and repair of our body cells. We get protein from the food we eat. However, when you grow older, you need more protein than what you usually consume. This is because at that age your body loses the muscle mass and protein is the solution to maintain a healthy muscle mass. Moreover, your body’s ability to break down and process the protein also decreases, making it even more important for you to increase your protein intake. How much protein should you consume? To determine how much protein your body needs, one of the major factors considered is the activity level of the person. For healthy adults who are not into rigorous training, 0.8 grams of protein per kilogram of body mass is recommended. Adults who exercise or train hard for competitive sports will need a higher protein intake ranging from 1.4 to 2.0 grams per kilogram of body mass. What happens if you do not consume enough dietary proteins? A deficiency of protein in your old age can lead to several serious complications. Some of the possible health concerns that you might face are as follows: