Trying out a new way of eating

[djansen]

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.

It looks like time will tell, I really look forward to future research on this topic. That said, I am not looking at what is "enough" or the bare minimum but rather what is optimal. And I full acknowledge the fact that there a lot of variables at play. I guess overall we are pretty much on the same page, with maybe a few things we can agree to disagree on then.
thank you for the discussion.
and good luck on getting your masters on the road to a dietitian. I am also currently in school for exercise science and not sure what exactly what field I want to go into yet.