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.
'Professor Characterizes Impact of Protein on Lifespan' -- Yahoo News! and 560 other media outlets.
Protein's Potential to Expand the 'Healthspan' -- Op-Ed in New Food Magazine.
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
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
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.
Exploring Opportunities to Better Characterize the Effects of Dietary Protein on Health across the Lifespan
Advances in Nutrition, 2024
Remarkable advances have been made over the last 30 years in understanding the role of dietary protein in optimizing muscle health across the lifespan.
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.
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.
Events
New AOCS Protein Digestibility Methods for Product Development Decisions
June 24, 2025
Virtual , Event
In vitro protein digestibility is a cost-effective, ethical and feasible means to screen ingredients and processing parameters in order to make product decisions that maintain or improve protein quality.
Read more about New AOCS Protein Digestibility Methods for Product Development Decisions
American Oil Chemists’ Society Conference
April 27, 2025 – April 30, 2025
Portland OR, USA
Explore the latest science and technology impacting fats, edible oils, proteins, surfactants and related industries.
Human Dietary Protein Needs and Benefits: A Critical Assessment of Postulated Propositions
February 25, 2025 – February 26, 2025
Rosemont, IL, USA
The essential need for dietary protein to sustain life is uncontested, and several propositions regarding dietary protein are largely uncontested as well. This workshop features speakers who will examine the evidence for these and other assumptions about protein.
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.