Consuming more protein than the recommended daily allowance is common, but there are specific times when increasing protein intake is essential. Babies require 2 grams of protein per kilogram of body weight, whereas children during growth and development need more proteins. Muscle loss begins in the 30s, but muscle building is still possible until then. However, after the 30s, muscle loss occurs even with exercise and a good diet. It is crucial for older individuals to consume high-quality proteins to slow down muscle loss, as many elderly people tend to lack sufficient protein intake due to various reasons such as cost, taste, or disinterest in food.
Sales of cottage cheese are booming thanks to a boost from protein-hungry social media influencers. But do we really need all this extra protein? Madeleine Finlay speaks to Joanne Slavin, a professor of food science and nutrition at the University of Minnesota, to find out what exactly protein is doing in our bodies, and what happens to it when we consume it in excess. Help support our independent journalism at
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