Trying out a new way of eating

[Jessica Loesch]

I myself consume a "high" protein diet (1g-1.2g per lb body-weight depending on CHO intake) and have been on one for about 6 years and in all my blood-work I have had no issues to speak of. I have reviewed a lot of literature and I have yet to see any negative effects on healthy individuals. I am not saying there are none because I am sure there are and I would really like to review them.

And in regards to the study on the elderly, that is true that if you don't use your muscles they will atrophy. But here is what I got from that study:
Though a loss of muscle mass and bone density is inevitable as you age my goal would to be delay for as long as I can OR reverse some of those effects by A: engaging in some form of resistance exercise and B: consuming adequate protein AND adequate calcium intake (calcium deficient people are a different story). Why would I shoot for the bare minimum and risk this? and i'm not saying an unreasonable amount, 1.2-1.4g/kg sounds reasonable. do you see where I am coming from?

And, great post on insulin and fructose.

I think I have actually read that study, and I agree with it 100%. However for a normal individual, .8g/kg should be significant enough, if they aren't doing a lot of strength training (involving muscle tears thus needing extra protein for rebuilding) but remaining active. I have not seen any research done on a younger individual that is healthy and active on the impacts of the recommended protein intake. As Americans, most of us get plenty of protein anyway, thus it is not a concern for a vast majority of us. However once you hit a certain age, and I think it is detailed in that study or others, it is important to increase your protein needs just a little, not a lot. We recommend at least 1g/kg protein at the nebraska heart hospital, where 95% of the patients are at this point.
I think muscle wasting is less due to the amount of protein intake, and more due to the amount of protein utilization within the body, concerning absorption, along with maintaining an active healthy lifestyle. Those that maintain that throughout adulthood are seen to have less muscle wasting, so we should not be attributing it to just one factor.
I genuinely believe that if one eats between .8-1.2g/kg of protein no matter on what end of the spectrum, throughout their diet, and maintain a healthy exercise regimen which engages muscles and bones, along with eating a variety of protein sources including ANIMAL proteins, because there is no vegetable source of protein that contains all amino acids (sorry vegetarians, you have to work harder here, but it can still be done), then there is no need for concern. My grandfather is a prime example of that. So to highlight what the study said, I agree - consume adequate protein and maintain a healthy exercise regimen for a longlasting life. I see what you are saying, but I by no means think that .8g/kg is too low for certain individuals, such as naturally thin people, females, etc.

As far as high protein intake, I would not really consider 1-1.4 g/kg high, while it can make a reasonable difference in those training against muscle wasting/repair, it will not make a siginificant difference renally. You are fine

I think it is where we get above 2g/kg when concern starts to occur, depending on lifestyle of course.