# @mackinprof on Instagram

- **Type:** Image
- **Original URL:** https://www.instagram.com/p/DK90cylTdD3
- **Gondola URL:** https://gondola.cc/posts/59739508-mackinprof-instagram
- **Thumbnail:** https://img.gondola.cc/tr:w-,h-,fo-auto/postThumbnails/ddbf18f4c4.jpg
- **Posted:** 2025-06-16T15:00:38.000+00:00
- **Account Owner:** Stuart Phillips (@mackinprof) — https://gondola.cc/mackinprof

## Caption

Do you think the RDA for protein (0.8 g/kg/day) is sufficient? Think again.

Three major studies reveal a consistent message:
✔️ Low protein intake is linked to a higher risk of death—from all causes, including cancer and cardiovascular disease.
✔️ Higher intakes (in the range of 1.2–1.6 g/kg/day) are associated with:

Better physical function
Lower frailty
But more is not always better. There is little evidence that exceeding ~1.6 g/kg/day provides additional benefit.

A 30-year study of 48,762 women: higher protein intake—especially plant protein—associated with a greater likelihood of healthy aging. Healthy aging = no major disease & good mental, cognitive, and physical function.

🧠🥩🌱 Animal and plant proteins help—but plant protein may offer extra advantages for long-term health and aging.

👉 Bottom line:
The RDA is the minimum to prevent deficiency—not the optimal target for aging well. Aim higher, but skip the extremes;  1.2-1.6 g/kg/d is the sweet spot.

Image Caption for Instagram Slide
📊 Study 1: MrOS (older men) – Protein intake below 0.8 g/kg/day = higher mortality PMID: 33009543  DOI: 10.1007/s12603-020-1422-4
📊 Study 2: Nurses’ Health Study – Protein intake in midlife = better odds of healthy aging PMID: 38309825  DOI: 10.1016/j.ajcnut.2023.11.010
📊 Study 3: NHANES – Protein intake <0.8 g/kg/day = higher mortality in those with normal kidney function PMID: 32239620 DOI: 10.11#healthyliving 

P.S. ALL of these outcomes would be better when combined with exercise 

#ProteinIntake #HealthyAging #NutritionMatters #MuscleMatters #RDAIsTooLow #ExerciseNutrition #ProteinScience #Longevity #PlantProtein #MuscleHealth #McMasterResearch #EMRG #MortalityRisk #MenopauseHealth #NutritionOver60 #ProteinForLife #OptimalAging #ResistanceTraining #EvidenceBasedNutrition #EatSmart #HealthyLiving

## Stats

- **Views:** 0
- **Likes:** 615
- **Shares:** 0
- **Comments:** 56

## Tags

proteinscience, menopausehealth, rdaistoolow, resistancetraining, nutritionover60, eatsmart, musclematters, proteinforlife, mcmasterresearch, healthyaging, plantprotein, evidencebasednutrition, musclehealth, mortalityrisk, emrg, proteinintake, optimalaging, exercisenutrition, longevity, nutritionmatters, healthyliving

---
Copyright (c) Gondola