Guideline / position statementindependent cross-checkabstract only checked I-FAST-07 standard review
How much protein older people need
Evidence-based recommendations for optimal dietary protein intake in older people: a position paper from the PROT-AGE Study Group.
Overview
Bauer J et al.. J Am Med Dir Assoc 2013 · PMID 23867520 · DOI 10.1016/j.jamda.2013.05.021
People over 65 should eat at least 1.0-1.2 g protein per kg body weight every day.
Does the study support the specific claim? No · Methodological quality: moderate
Plain-language summary
Study explained simply
- What did the researchers want to find out?
Optimal protein intake in older people
- How was the study done?
Evidence-based position paper (PROT-AGE Study Group, EUGMS)
- How many people, animals or samples were studied?
not applicable; Adults >65
- What was actually found?
Daily protein targets.
- How large was the observed effect?
1.0-1.2 g/kg/day
- What do the results mean in everyday life?
Protein every day matters for muscle.
- What are the study's limitations?
Expert consensus
- What does it say about Elawady's specific claim?
Contradicts C-FAST-08; limits C-FAST-04, C-FAST-05, C-FAST-07.
- Do the results apply to Germany and Europe?
European geriatric societies; directly applicable.
- What can explicitly not be concluded from this study?
Optimal meal timing.
Scientific in-depth review
1. Full reference
- Authors
- Bauer J et al.
- Journal
- J Am Med Dir Assoc
- Year
- 2013
- Identifier
- PMID 23867520 DOI 10.1016/j.jamda.2013.05.021
- Verification
- verified – PubMed efetch 2026-10-25 (this agent)
- Retracted
- no
- Corrections
- none
- Extent checked
- abstract only
- Conflicts of interest and funding
not stated in abstract
2. Research question
Optimal protein intake in older people
3. Study design and population
- Study design
- Guideline / position statement – Evidence-based position paper (PROT-AGE Study Group, EUGMS)
- Population
Adults >65
- Country
Europe/International
- Period
2013
- Sample size
not applicable
- Inclusion and exclusion criteria
As described in the abstract; details not available in abstract.
4. Methods and endpoints
- Exposure / intervention
Protein intake
- Comparator
not applicable
- Endpoints
Lean mass, function
- Statistical methods
Expert review
5. Actual results
- Results
Recommends average daily intake at least 1.0-1.2 g/kg/day for >65; >=1.2 g/kg/day if active; 1.2-1.5 g/kg/day with acute or chronic disease; exception severe CKD not on dialysis; timing evidence insufficient.
- Absolute risks
not reported
- Authors' conclusion
Older adults need more protein than younger adults.
6. Strengths
- Multi-society European
7. Weaknesses
- Expert consensus
8. Risk of bias
- Orienting tool
- none applicable
- Type of assessment
- simplified assessment (abstract only)
- Full formal assessment
- no
- Overall risk of bias
- low
- Rationale
Position paper.
9. Assessment of the statistical interpretation
not applicable
10. Relevance to the specific claim
Contradicts C-FAST-08; limits C-FAST-04, C-FAST-05, C-FAST-07.
11. Independent contrary findings
12. Transferability to Germany and Europe
European geriatric societies; directly applicable.
13. Overall methodological judgement
Daily protein needs are established.
| Multidimensional assessment | |
|---|---|
| Authenticity of the source | verified |
| Methodological quality | moderate |
| Risk of bias | low |
| Precision of results | not applicable |
| Directness | direct |
| Reproducibility | partly replicated |
| Consistency with the overall evidence | consistent |
| Regional transferability | high |
| Adequacy of the interpretation (by the archive) | not applicable |
14. Open questions
None beyond those stated.
15. Linked fact checks
- Health equals the ability to avoid toxic inputs: zero inputs means infinite health; complete abstinence from all inputs (fasting) keeps the body in a state that does not become ill, and not eating for three or four days makes the body strong. – Studies contradicting or limiting the claim
- Long daily intermittent fasting with one meal a day as the default eating pattern (and sometimes eating once every two days) is the healthy way to eat. – Studies contradicting or limiting the claim
- Eat only when you are hungry and stop when full; no fixed meal times or quantities. – Studies contradicting or limiting the claim
- Protein should not be eaten every day: give the digestive system a rest day between protein meals (rotate protein through the week). – Studies contradicting or limiting the claim