Dietary protein intake and human health
Top Cited Papers
Open Access
- 11 January 2016
- journal article
- review article
- Published by Royal Society of Chemistry (RSC) in Food & Function
- Vol. 7 (3), 1251-1265
- https://doi.org/10.1039/c5fo01530h
Abstract
A protein consists of amino acids (AA) linked by peptide bonds. Dietary protein is hydrolyzed by proteases and peptidases to generate AA, dipeptides, and tripeptides in the lumen of the gastrointestinal tract. These digestion products are utilized by bacteria in the small intestine or absorbed into enterocytes. AA that are not degraded by the small intestine enter the portal vein for protein synthesis in skeletal muscle and other tissues. AA are also used for cell-specific production of low-molecular-weight metabolites with enormous physiological importance. Thus, protein undernutrition results in stunting, anemia, physical weakness, edema, vascular dysfunction, and impaired immunity. Based on short-term nitrogen balance studies, the Recommended Dietary Allowance of protein for a healthy adult with minimal physical activity is currently 0.8 g protein per kg body weight (BW) per day. To meet the functional needs such as promoting skeletal-muscle protein accretion and physical strength, dietary intake of 1.0, 1.3, and 1.6 g protein per kg BW per day is recommended for individuals with minimal, moderate, and intense physical activity, respectively. Long-term consumption of protein at 2 g per kg BW per day is safe for healthy adults, and the tolerable upper limit is 3.5 g per kg BW per day for well-adapted subjects. Chronic high protein intake (>2 g per kg BW per day for adults) may result in digestive, renal, and vascular abnormalities and should be avoided. The quantity and quality of protein are the determinants of its nutritional values. Therefore, adequate consumption of high-quality proteins from animal products (e.g., lean meat and milk) is essential for optimal growth, development, and health of humans.Keywords
This publication has 100 references indexed in Scilit:
- Health effects of protein intake in healthy adults: a systematic literature reviewFood & Nutrition Research, 2013
- Exercise induces autophagy in peripheral tissues and in the brainAutophagy, 2012
- Effects of higher- versus lower-protein diets on health outcomes: a systematic review and meta-analysisEuropean Journal of Clinical Nutrition, 2012
- Regulation of muscle protein synthesis in humansCurrent Opinion in Clinical Nutrition and Metabolic Care, 2012
- Bed rest reduces metabolic protein content and abolishes exercise-induced mRNA responses in human skeletal muscleAmerican Journal of Physiology-Endocrinology and Metabolism, 2011
- Increased Consumption of Dairy Foods and Protein during Diet- and Exercise-Induced Weight Loss Promotes Fat Mass Loss and Lean Mass Gain in Overweight and Obese Premenopausal WomenJournal of Nutrition, 2011
- Composition of amino acids in feed ingredients for animal dietsAmino Acids, 2010
- Amino acids: metabolism, functions, and nutritionAmino Acids, 2009
- Nutrition and Athletic PerformanceMedicine & Science in Sports & Exercise, 2009
- Effects of amino acid-derived luminal metabolites on the colonic epithelium and physiopathological consequencesAmino Acids, 2006