The Protein Committee advances science to support future dietary protein recommendations, taking into consideration intake amounts and quality - as demand is undergoing a shift in the balance of animal, plant and novel protein sources.
Why is this research valuable?
The committee is currently sponsoring research on long-term effects of protein at levels above DRIs in a long-term cohort on cardiometabolic health, inflammation, and performance/disability.
Research Focus Areas
- Anticipate potential future gaps and opportunities as the food supply shifts in terms of protein food sources and amounts.
- Advance scientific basis of protein recommendations for broad populations based on levels and quality as they relate to acute and long-term health outcomes.
COMMITTEE MEMBERS
AB InBev
Beef Checkoff
Cargill, Incorporated
Griffith Foods
Ingredion
National Dairy Council
Protein Industries Canada
ACADEMIC ADVISOR
Kelsey Mangano, UMass Lowell
Donald Layman, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
GOVERNMENT LIAISONS
Janet Novotny, USDA ARS Beltsville
Jessica Gwin, USARMY USARIEM
Projects Supported by the Committee:
Publications
Protein Intake and Human Health: Implications of Units of Protein Intake
Advances in Nutrition, 2020
Read more about Protein Intake and Human Health: Implications of Units of Protein Intake
Higher Protein Intake During Caloric Restriction Improves Diet Quality and Attenuates Loss of Lean Body Mass
Obesity, 2022
Increasing dietary protein during caloric restriction improves diet quality and may be another reason for reduced lean body mass.
Amino Acid Intake and Conformance With the Dietary Reference Intakes in the United States: Analysis of the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, 2001–2018
Journal of Nutrition, 2023
Essential amino acid intakes in the US population exceed recommended minimum population requirements. Future studies can use the method described in this article to quantify amino acid intake and examine potential relationships with health and disease.
In vitro Protein Digestibility to Replace in vivo Digestibility for Purposes of Nutrient Content Claim Substantiation in North America’s Context
Frontiers in Nutrition, 2024
The reliance by North American regulatory authorities on in vivo rodent bioassays to measure the protein quality for protein content claim substantiation represents a major barrier for innovation in the development and marketing of protein foods.
Associations between Essential Amino Acid Intake and Functional Health Outcomes in Older Adults: Analysis of the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, 2001–2018
Current Developments in Nutrition, 2024
The relationships between habitual essential amino acid intake and body composition, muscle strength, and physical function in older US adults are not well defined. This cross-sectional study evaluated associations between usual amino acid intakes and body composition, muscle strength, and physical function in US adults at 65 years.
Events
IAFNS Protein Committee Meeting
June 3, 2024
Washington, DC, United States
IAFNS hosted its summer Protein Committee Meeting on June 3, 2024.
IAFNS Protein Spring Committee Meeting
March 20, 2024
Virtual, Event
IAFNS will host its spring Protein Committee Meeting on March 20, 2024.
International Symposium: Dietary Protein for Human Health
September 14, 2023 – September 16, 2023
Amsterdam, Netherlands
James House, PhD, speaking on in vitro digestibility and availability from a North American perspective.
Read more about International Symposium: Dietary Protein for Human Health
Evaluating health outcomes and functional measures of dietary protein beyond isotopic measures of protein turnover.
May 18, 2023
Virtual, Event
Experts in a range of health outcomes deliberated the scientific evidence linking protein intake among the general adult population, including bone, cardiometabolic health, weight management, and mobility/frailty/functional decline. Specific functional indicator measures were identified for outcomes with high potential to use in determining protein requirements.
Expert working session with AOCS on validating a standardized in-vitro method of amino acid digestibility.
October 6, 2022
Chicago, IL, USA
Working session led by University of Manitoba, with AOCS and analytic experts on validating a standardized in-vitro method of amino acid digestibility