Now Reading: Top doctors break protein myths, say 0.8 g/kg daily is baseline need
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Top doctors break protein myths, say 0.8 g/kg daily is baseline need
Top doctors break protein myths, say 0.8 g/kg daily is baseline need
Seven top doctors from hospitals including Narayana, Jaslok, Apollo, and Aster CMI have explained protein requirements for all adults, not just gym-goers. Most healthy adults need 0.8 g of protein per kg of body weight daily, while older adults require 1.0, 1.2 g/kg to prevent sarcopenia, the age-related loss of muscle mass and strength that increases fall risk and frailty. Resistance trainers should aim for 1.2, 1.6 g/kg.
Protein must be paired with exercise for muscle repair, but there is no strict '30-minute anabolic window' for post-workout consumption. Warning signs of deficiency include muscle weakness, poor wound healing, hair loss, and frequent infections. Supplements are unnecessary when diet provides enough protein. The goal is adequate intake, not maximum.
Indian Opinion Analysis
India's protein consumption is among the lowest globally, with the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) recently revising its recommended dietary allowance upwards. The condition sarcopenia, now formally recognised with an ICD-10 code, affects an estimated one in five Indians over 60, yet most are unaware of it. The real gap is not just awareness but implementation: affordable protein sources like pulses have become costlier, while the market for supplements, valued at over Rs 25,000 crore, is largely unregulated, with no mandatory third-party testing. Watch for whether the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) tightens its supplement guidelines in 2025.
Source: timesnownews.com
This story was synthesised by AI from the source linked above. Methodology and corrections.
