The Protein Committee advances science to support future dietary protein recommendations, taking into consideration intake amounts and quality - as demand is undergoing a shift in the balance of animal, plant and novel protein sources.
Why is this research valuable?
The committee is currently sponsoring research on long-term effects of protein at levels above DRIs in a long-term cohort on cardiometabolic health, inflammation, and performance/disability.
Research Focus Areas
- Anticipate potential future gaps and opportunities as the food supply shifts in terms of protein food sources and amounts.
- Advance scientific basis of protein recommendations for broad populations based on levels and quality as they relate to acute and long-term health outcomes.
COMMITTEE MEMBERS
AB InBev
Beef Checkoff
Cargill, Incorporated
Griffith Foods
Herbalife Nutrition
Ingredion
National Dairy Council
Protein Industries Canada
ACADEMIC ADVISOR
Kelsey Mangano, UMass Lowell
Donald Layman, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
GOVERNMENT LIAISONS
Janet Novotny, USDA ARS Beltsville
Jessica Gwin, USARMY USARIEM
Projects Supported by the Committee:
Publications
Amino Acid Intake and Conformance With the Dietary Reference Intakes in the United States: Analysis of the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, 2001–2018
Journal of Nutrition, 2023
Higher Protein Intake During Caloric Restriction Improves Diet Quality and Attenuates Loss of Lean Body Mass
Obesity, 2022
Increasing dietary protein during caloric restriction improves diet quality and may be another reason for reduced lean body mass.
Protein Intake and Human Health: Implications of Units of Protein Intake
Advances in Nutrition, 2020
A literature review revealed the use of myriad units of protein intake, with differential results on cardiometabolic outcomes in nutrition research. This paper recommends that authors be specific about the use of WHO (g/kg ideal BW) compared with US (g/kg actual BW) units, and ideally use gram or percent energy in observational studies.
Read more about Protein Intake and Human Health: Implications of Units of Protein Intake
Dietary Protein and Changes in Biomarkers of Inflammation and Oxidative Stress in the Framingham Heart Study Offspring Cohort
Current Developments in Nutrition, 2019
Chronic inflammation is thought to be a major characteristic of aging, which may increase need for substrates, specifically protein, to support anti-inflammatory processes. The aim of this study was to assess associations between dietary protein and changes in biomarkers of inflammation and oxidative stress over the long term in a community-dwelling population.
Protein Intake and Functional Integrity in Aging: The Framingham Heart Study Offspring
The Journals of Gerontology: Series A, 2018
The associations between protein intake and maintenance of functional integrity are examined in the Framingham Heart Study Offspring cohort of the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute.
Events
International Symposium: Dietary Protein for Human Health
September 14, 2023 – September 16, 2023
Amsterdam, Netherlands
James House, PhD, speaking on in vitro digestibility and availability from a North American perspective.
Read more about International Symposium: Dietary Protein for Human Health
Evaluating health outcomes and functional measures of dietary protein beyond isotopic measures of protein turnover.
May 18, 2023
Virtual, Event
Experts in a range of health outcomes deliberated the scientific evidence linking protein intake among the general adult population, including bone, cardiometabolic health, weight management, and mobility/frailty/functional decline. Specific functional indicator measures were identified for outcomes with high potential to use in determining protein requirements.