Protein as we age

Mark Weber's Avatar

Mark Weber

04 Nov, 2017 01:05 PM

Dr. Rosedale, I have watched all of your videos, some many times, but I
still have trouble
with the Protein requirements...... I understand we need to keep IGF lower
as we age, and
that we are no longer creating babies, but over and over I read elsewhere
that as we age
our Protein requirements can go UP, anywhere from 50% increase to 250%
increase simply
because our bodies ability to synthesize Protein is so much lower. Can
older folks really get
by with your recommended low levels regardless of age and not end up with
sarcopenia ???

Or should theree be a different formula for someone my age (63)???

--
*It's not the destination, but the journey..........*

  1. Support Staff 1 Posted by Fiona on 21 Nov, 2017 02:49 AM

    Fiona's Avatar

    Sorry Dr. Ron is not able to answer direct right now, but he has been pretty consistent about the protein, and research just keeps backing up what he has been saying. Raising your protein if you are super active, or pregnant but otherwise getting older has never been a valid reason in his research to up the protein. Though he is one to keep moving, move your body, your joints, stretch, go for a walk especially as we get older. Like water, if you let it sit it gets stagnant, and nothing good happens in stagnant water ;-)

  2. 2 Posted by Mark Weber on 21 Nov, 2017 02:02 PM

    Mark Weber's Avatar

    Hmmmmmm.....ok.....then since he agrees it can vary by person.....what
    would the signs of a
    Protein deficiency be?????

  3. Support Staff 3 Posted by Ken on 26 Nov, 2017 01:30 PM

    Ken's Avatar

    Mark, below is some protein information by Dr. Rosedale that should be of interest


    Controversy of Protein Requirements, Especially In Those Over Age 65.

    Protein requirement is a function of lean mass and activity, pregnancy, growth etc. However there is apparently a controversy as we “age”. Studies have shown quite definitively that lowering protein extends lifespan in many species, however one study has shown that in humans this held true prior to age 65 after which an increase in protein may be more beneficial. Other studies have also shown increased protein requirements in the elderly.

    • I believe that the controversy and discrepancy arises, as so often in nutritional studies, from the study subjects having typically eaten a high carbohydrate diet during the study and certainly prior to. As such, any conclusion should have the amendment, “in those eating a high carbohydrate diet”.

    As has been shown in numerous studies, insulin and leptin resistance and hyperinsulinemia and hyperleptinemia (high fasting insulin and leptin) becomes more and more severe and common as we age. This leads to the inability to properly burn fat thus requiring the burning of glucose as one’s primary fuel. Glucose is stored in our bodies to a minimal extent, and the body wishes to save the little that is stored (as glycogen in liver and muscles) for anaerobic emergencies such as fight or flight.

    As such, those who are addicted to burning glucose, including most people over age 65, will get much of their glucose “fix” especially when they are sleeping and not eating, from the breakdown, gluconeogenesis, of protein. Thus, and as is well known, we break down more protein than we make as we get into the “golden years”.

    I believe that it is the unnecessary breakdown of protein especially into glucose to be used as fuel rather than to build components as far more desirable, that would lead to an increase in dietary protein requirements.

    • However, on my diet as one is much more insulin sensitive with lower levels of insulin and leptin such that burning fat is one's primary fuel rather than glucose, protein requirements go down.

    There are other reasons. The protein that you put into your mouth is not necessarily breaking the cells will eat. If one is taking the common acid blocking drugs known as proton pump inhibitors, such as Nexium and Protonix

    Then, there is another very critical reason that is not discussed. One of the primary objectives and effects of the Rosedale plan is to reduce stimulation of the target of rapamycin (mTOR) pathway. This is critical and one of the major beneficial effects is to increase the process of autophagy that allows one to "eat" damaged parts, especially proteins within cells.

    These damaged and damaging proteins are broken down and recycled to make fresh, far better functioning, proteins and other parts without having to put this extra protein in your mouth. In other words, your cells are then able to eat protein without you having to eat extra protein. what’s interesting and perhaps paradoxical is that dietary amino acids from protein stimulated mTOR more than any other nutrient and when mTOR is stimulated and raised it reduces this beneficial and critical process of autophagy, that by the way has been shown to be critical in the life extension from calorie restriction. In other words, by eating less protein your cells can actually eat more.

    Dr. Ron Rosedale

  4. 4 Posted by Mark Weber on 28 Nov, 2017 02:16 AM

    Mark Weber's Avatar

    Thanx!!! An excellent explanation! This is different than what I
    thought. I figuered since older folks produce fewer digestive enzymes,
    they absorbs less protein so they needed to consume more.

    Your explanation is even better!

  5. Support Staff 5 Posted by Ken on 28 Nov, 2017 07:20 AM

    Ken's Avatar

    Your are welcome Mark -- glad that Dr. Rosedale's explanation was informative.

    Ken/   Rosedale Team

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