Do you need to eat more protein as you get older?

But should we be eating more?

While it’s good practice to make sure you consume the recommended amount, Patel explains that for adults, research highlights that the figures should potentially be even higher.

“The right amount of protein for an individual depends on many factors – even the day you’ve had – for example, the activities you’ve undertaken. Other significant factors include your body composition, your current state of health, as well as your health goals.

“While adults should start by following the recommended guidance it’s likely you will need more. The reason is, that [0.75g] figure came via nitrogen balanced studies, however these are believed to have limitations. The main one being that the figures are based on making sure you prevent malnutrition rather than how to thrive.

“As a performance nutritionist, I’m always working with people to try and get them to be in ‘thrive mode’.

“There are newer methodologies to estimate protein that have come into play. One of those is called the ‘indicator amino acid oxidation method,’ which addresses some of the shortcomings of the nitrogen balanced studies.” These studies focus on how protein can improve health not just on avoiding poor health.

“These predict that the intake for adults shouldn’t be 0.75g but between 1-1.2g.

“As a dietitian, I would always be starting off at the low end. If you’re responding well, then that’s fine for you. But if you’re not responding, perhaps you need to dial it up a little bit. Once again, it comes back to personalisation.”