The majority of Americans consume enough protein each day. Experts advise against disregarding it, though, for that reason.
According to Glenda Courtney-Martin, a nutrition scientist at the University of Toronto, protein is necessary for every bodily function, including the development of muscle, bone, and collagen, as well as the process of food digestion and infection prevention.
Furthermore, the amount you require varies over the course of your life based on your age, body type, and other factors. According to Stuart Phillips, a muscle physiologist and nutrition researcher at McMaster University in Ontario, Canada, there are instances when you might fall short without even realizing it.
According to federal guidelines released in 2005, the amount of protein you should consume each day depends on your age and weight. However, newer research indicates that these amounts should be slightly higher for optimal health, according to Dr. Phillips.
Here’s how your requirements for protein alter as you get older.
Protein across the ages
As Dr. Phillips pointed out, replacing worn-out or damaged proteins with new ones is like replacing old bricks in a collapsing wall, which is one reason need to eat protein every day.
Early life and teenage years
According to Dr. Courtney-Martin, since babies, older kids, and teenagers are growing all the time, they require more protein than adults do relative to their body weight.
For instance, based on federal guidelines, adults need 0.36 grams of protein per pound of body weight, while infants between the ages of 7 and 12 months require 0.54 grams per day.
Children’s needs for protein decrease as they get older, according to Dr. Phillips. For example, children aged 4 to 8 require 0.43 grams of protein per pound of body weight.