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1. Let's talk about protein in human nutrition. But, you may ask...
2. Well, for one thing, I've been taught the difference between "policy" and "science." For example: Policy, once established (regardless of scientific merit), resists change. hat tip to @ahhite
3. & I've been taught the difference between Crude Protein (CP) & True Protein (TP) in animal nutrition. As a ruminant nutritionist I know that rumen degradable CP is upcycled into microbial protein & then digested by the host. But food labels, tables, reports & policy rely on CP
4. That's a BIG problem in human nutrition!
Here's the global per capital daily [crude] protein supply. Population has more than doubled between '61 & 2013, & supply has increased. But how much do we need? Humanity's diet is plant based already. Is that a good thing?
![4. That's a BIG problem in human nutrition! Here's the global per capital daily [crude] protein supply. Population has more than doubled between '61 & 2013, & supply has increased. But how much do we need? Humanity's diet is plant based already. Is that a good thing?](https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EbSK1MRUYAALSpR.jpg "4. That's a BIG problem in human nutrition! Here's the global per capital daily [crude] protein supply. Population has more than doubled between '61 & 2013, & supply has increased. But how much do we need? Humanity's diet is plant based already. Is that a good thing?")
Here's the global per capital daily [crude] protein supply. Population has more than doubled between '61 & 2013, & supply has increased. But how much do we need? Humanity's diet is plant based already. Is that a good thing?
5. By one measure (and coincidentally(?) the one used to argue against Animal Source Foods (ASF)), it appears that the there's sufficient supply for humanity with some regions "overeating" protein by a wide margin. Is that true?
6. I've also been taught that RDA is the MINIMUM level. Many folks seem to consider it the target. So what SHOULD be the target?
7. Some describe a moderate protein intake range as at least 50% greater up to twice RDA. Now the global crude protein supply doesn't look so "generous."
hat tip to @DietDoctor
hat tip to @DietDoctor
8. The Acceptable Macronutrient Distribution Range (AMDR) for protein suggests a much greater safe range (note the change in scale). & that's still below the Tolerable Upper Limit! Note, too, that minimum AMDR > RDA. Yet some would have us drastically reduce meat intake..
9. I've also learned that protein from Plant Source Food (PSF) is lower value in human nutrition than that from ASF. By a wide margin (see next). More of humanity's CP is supplied from CEREALS than from all ASF!! Cereals are a very poor source of protein for human nutrition.
10. These data present ASF protein=PSF. Not true. And Humans need specific amounts of specific amino acids, NOT grams of "protein" or % of calories. To get those amounts requires far more PSF than ASF. What else is consumed? What other essential nutrients aren't present in PSF?
11. Note that these data are about "supply" which is assumed to represent consumption. But there are wide variations. We see evidence of too little ASF consumption (in this case childhood stunting (25% of children under 5 years old are stunted)...
12. ...but we have evidence suggesting that we're missing the mark here in the affluent west, too. This graph uses the RDA as the target and assumes that PSF CP=ASF CP!
Hat tip to @ahhite
Hat tip to @ahhite
13. So I'll wrap this up with a question (remember that there never was any basis for limiting cholesterol intake and should no longer be concerned about intake of natural saturated fats):
