Older adults, especially seniors, need more protein to maintain their bone health and preserve muscle strength. According to research conducted in 2018, it was discovered that elderly people (ages 54 years and above) who eat an adequate amount of protein are less likely to exhibit reduced physical functions. Consider some reasons protein matters in your diet.
6 Reasons Why You Need More Protein
The simple yet vital function of protein helps the body repair cells and create new ones. Of course, that doesn’t just apply to older adults — regardless of your age group; your body will thank you if you include more protein into your diet.
1. Protein Helps Protect Your Muscles
When people reach the age of 30, they usually begin to feel the effects of sarcopenia, which is the natural loss of muscles due to aging. This results in less mobility and strength, which is why you need to eat more protein as it will help your body build muscle mass.
2. Protein Helps You Exercise More
Why does your body feel sore after a workout? It’s because exercise breaks down your muscles, so you need more protein to build them up again.
Stacking up on protein supplements or natural protein sources such as eggs and chicken is a must for your body to recover quickly from a rigorous workout.
3. Protein Helps You Lose Weight
Reducing your carb intake and adding more protein into your diet will help you lose weight faster. A meal rich in protein reduces your ghrelin level, the hormone responsible for making you feel hungry.
4. Protein Helps Lower Your Blood Pressure
According to a study published in the American Journal of Hypertension, participants who consumed a high amount of protein every day lowered their risk of having high blood pressure by 40 percent.
5. Protein Helps Promote Metabolism
One of the key reasons to eat more protein is because it helps your body burn more calories, even during sleep. High protein diets promote metabolism, which contributes positively to weight loss.
6. Protein Helps Strengthen Your Immune System
Protein also boosts your T-cells, the cells that help protect your body from bacteria that might cause viral infections. This further strengthens your immune system, which is one of the health benefits of eating more protein.
How Much Protein Do You Need Each Day?
The Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA) for protein is 0.36 grams of protein per pound or 0.8 grams per kilogram of body weight. However, older adults need to eat more protein, as their recommended protein intake is at 1.2 grams per kilogram of body weight.
A high-protein diet consists of consuming a higher intake of protein sources such as meat, fish, milk, soy, beans, and egg while also reducing your consumption of high carbohydrates.
You can also stack up on protein supplements that you can find on home healthcare product suppliers such as Simply Medical. With a user-friendly website and always-available customer service, you can visit Simply Medical to buy sugar-free, low-calorie protein supplements at very affordable prices.