14 DAY TRIAL // Apparently, growing old does have its perks, and we're not just talking about wisdom. Long story short, it appears that, as we get older, we can finally enjoy a whole lot of steaks without feeling bad about it.
This is because, as shown by a recent investigation carried out by researchers in the US, guys and gals who are long past their prime must up their daily protein intake if they are to maintain their muscle mass.
In a report, the scientists behind this study explain that, currently, health officials in the US recommend that people consume 0.8 grams of protein per kilogram of body weight on a daily basis.
They go on to argue that, having carried out a series of experiments with the help of volunteers, they found that, in the case of people over the age of 50, a daily protein intake of 1.5 grams per kilogram of body weight works best.
Specifically, the researchers say that this is the amount of protein that elderly people need to consume on a daily basis in order to make sure that they do not lose considerable muscle mass and keep in shape as they age.
“We observed a definitive effect of a higher amount of protein intake in mixed meals on whole body net protein balance and muscle protein synthesis,” the scientists behind this investigation write in the American Journal of Physiology – Endocrinology and Metabolism.
True, steaks and other such juicy treats do count as an excellent source of proteins. Still, it's important to keep in mind that eating too much meat is harmful. Hence, it might not be such a bad idea to get those extra proteins from dairy, even veggies.