Are we eating enough protein to age well? Why experts think no - Medical News Today

What the report says

Medical News Today reports that a new perspective paper in Frontiers in Nutrition is reviving debate over whether current protein guidance is too low for healthy aging. The paper, published June 16, 2026, was written by Chris Macdonald, PhD, of Lucy Cavendish College at the University of Cambridge, and argues that official advice is largely built around avoiding deficiency rather than promoting long-term function and resilience.

According to the article, the paper suggests some people may benefit from protein intakes as high as about twice baseline recommendations, potentially up to 1 gram per pound of body weight. Current general guidance cited by Medical News Today is roughly 0.75 to 0.8 grams per kilogram per day, or about 0.34 to 0.36 grams per pound. The paper highlights possible benefits including muscle recovery, strength gains, fat loss support and bone health, while noting that broad public health guidelines are designed for populations, not individualized plans.

Medical News Today also interviewed dietitians Michelle Routhenstein and Kristin Kirkpatrick, who emphasized that protein needs differ by age, activity, health status and goals. Groups discussed as potentially needing more include physically active adults, older adults, pregnant people, people trying to lose weight, some GLP-1 medication users and those with cardiometabolic conditions. Routhenstein said a range around 1.2 to 1.6 grams per kilogram per day may better support lean muscle and metabolic health for some people.

The report cautions that more protein is not automatically better. The experts said whole foods can often meet higher targets, but protein should not displace fiber-rich foods, fruits, vegetables or healthy fats. People with chronic kidney disease were identified as needing individualized medical guidance, and protein source matters, especially if added protein comes from processed meats or high-saturated-fat foods.