Who would have imagined it?
There are endless threats to your health out there. From dangerous prescription drugs to the antibiotics and chemicals hidden in your steak dinner, countless ways for your health to take a turn for the worse.
But DESPITE those dangers it could turn out to be the lack of an everyday nutrient that DESTROYS your health.
In fact, when you don’t get enough of this critical “energy” nutrient your risk for everything from osteoporosis to heart disease can shoot right through the roof.
Heck, if it gets bad enough, you can practically start wasting away.
I’m talking about protein, of course. And if you’re ready to stop reading because you think you’re safe, don’t.
Because it turns out more than one in three adults over 50 AREN’T getting enough. And it could be hitting the fast forward button on aging and even end up sending you to an early grave.
33% of older adults are low on protein
I bet you thought bodybuilders and growing kids were the only folks who need to worry about getting enough protein. But nothing could be further from the truth.
It’s essential at every stage in life. And, in fact, when we hit middle age protein becomes even MORE critical.
But you eat meat. And probably some beans too. So you’re getting plenty, right?
Not necessarily. A new report out of Ohio State University in Columbus found that more than 33 percent of older Americans aren’t getting enough protein.
Sluggish and slow? THIS could be why
The current “official” recommendation is around 58 grams a day for someone who is about 160 pounds. And frankly, even THAT isn’t NEARLY enough to begin with if you’re a senior. (More on that later.)
But one in three folks over 50 is still missing THAT modest mark. And the new study found there are consequences.
The OSU researchers focused on four specific areas that could be affected by a lack of protein…
- fine motor skills, such as using a knife and fork or drinking from a cup
- gross motor functions, such as standing, walking, and prepping food
- socialization, such as ease of leaving the house and social events
- grip strength
Shockingly, more than a third of the volunteers, ages 51-70, had trouble in the first three areas. And in folks over 71 grip strength plummeted, too.
In other words, not getting enough protein had a significant impact on their quality of life. And even worse, it threatened their independence.
Other research has found that not getting enough leaves seniors struggling with energy, strength, and stamina.
But if you’re among the hundreds of thousands of adults not getting enough daily protein, it’s not just your quality of living you need to be worried about. Your health, and even your LIFE, could be at stake as well.
Too little protein can harm your health
Not getting enough protein puts you at risk for serious health issues…
Weakened immune system:
Your immune system requires plenty of protein to do its job. In fact, the antibodies your body creates to help fight disease are actually made of the stuff. And not getting enough impairs your T-cell system leading to increased infections, and puts your health and life in danger.
Bone problems:
Plenty of protein is needed to maintain healthy bones no matter your age. Your bones require it to absorb calcium and stay strong. And in seniors who already have brittle bones, eating MORE protein could help reduce bone loss and fracture risk.
Wasting:
Your muscles are made of protein. And the proteins in the foods you eat are broken down into muscle-building amino acids. Protein helps us maintain muscle strength and build new muscle. But when you don’t get enough, it leads to muscle weakness and wasting. And your risk for falls and fractures can go through the roof.
Brain fog:
Your brain requires protein to function. Proteins provide us with the amino acids which are the building blocks for the neurotransmitters in our brains. And without enough protein you can end up feeling foggy, sluggish, and irritable.
The truth is that even if you are getting the so-called recommended amount of protein you could be falling short. In fact, many experts in senior health suggest we DOUBLE the current guidelines.
Luckily increasing the amount of protein you’re eating is easy. You’ll find plenty of healthy proteins in grass-fed beef, whey protein, wild caught fish, lentils, poultry, and free-range eggs.
She is an advocate of self-education and is passionate about the power of group knowledge sharing, like the kind found right here on HealthierTalk.com. Alice loves to share her views on holistic and natural healing as well as her, sometimes contentious, thoughts on the profit-driven inner workings of traditional medicine.
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