Older people should eat more meat, says expert
Biochemist Dr Stuart Phillips, of McMaster University, Ontario, said medical professionals were more likely to tell older consumers to reduce consumption, but he said the opposite was necessary to retain healthy muscle tissue.
He said: “Older people are not consuming enough protein. They are not getting their recommended daily amount. They should be consuming a high-quality protein five times a week and increase their activity.”
He said that beef was excellent at stimulating muscle synthesis right up until the age of 90, and eating it could help slow the rate of muscle loss.
He said beef was one of the best choices of protein: “From a nutrient density standpoint, lean beef is going to win hands-down. It has been forgotten how much it adds to the diet.
“The RDA for protein is not sufficient for older people in many circumstances. We need to consider the nutrient needs of older people a little more carefully.”
Phillips is a professor of kinesiology, whose research focuses on the impact of nutrition and exercise on human protein, specifically in skeletal muscle.
