Proceedings Of The 2007 Protein Summit

At The Protein Summit 2007: Exploring the Impact of High-Quality Protein on Health, 52 internationally recognized experts in protein research discussed the scientific evidence for the role of dietary protein in optimizing health for the adult population, and considered whether the current body of science for protein is consistent with current dietary guidance and intake recommendations.

The proceedings of the Summit were published as a supplement in the May issue of the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition. The supplement provides comprehensive reviews of the potential for habitual consumption of protein intakes in excess of the RDA to benefit weight management, sarcopenia, bone health, cardiovascular disease, and type-2 diabetes.

In addition, a paper on protein quality assessment indicates that “quality is important not only at the minimum recommended dietary allowance level, but also at higher intakes.” A final paper summarizes the following areas of consensus:

• The current RDA for protein of 0.8 gm protein/kg/day is a reasonable estimation of the minimal amount of protein intake needed to maintain nitrogen balance in healthy young adults. “This value may be inadequate as even a minimal value for active adults or the elderly.”
• Parameters of muscle mass, strength, and metabolic function are more appropriate endpoints than nitrogen balance for determining the optimal level of protein intake. 
• The optimal level of protein intake is more than 0.8 gm/kg/day – though the exact level considered optimal is uncertain.  The current RDA for protein is less than 10% of normal calorie intake and less than the low end of the range (10% to 35% of calories) recommended in the Dietary Reference Intakes and the Dietary Guidelines. 
• “Protein intake can be increased to at least double the RDA, and perhaps higher, without risk of adverse responses in healthy individuals with normal renal function.”

[Rodriquez NR and Garlick PJ, Am J Clin Nutr, 87(Suppl): 1551S-1583S, 2008]