The curious case of low-protein diets

(knowablemagazine.org)

31 points | by curmudgeon22 2 hours ago

6 comments

  • gblargg 49 minutes ago
    https://archive.is/c8Pep (avoid the popups)
  • edelbitter 1 hour ago
    > all these data come from nonhuman lab animals

    Though what I have see so far is far from everything that could be learned from these surprisingly-humanlike mammals. Still need more research on timing. Maybe protein metabolism is not that different from the better studied methods of derailing glucose metabolism. Maybe the damage is set and done after any prolonged phase of inappropriate diet, and later minor adjustments in consumption have very little additional effect, after controlling for weight and caloric intake.

    Maybe all humans need to do is watch their protein intake until puberty.. and then only 60 years later, as failing to retain muscle strength becomes more likely to kill them than any detrimental effect of excessive protein intake.

  • surfsvammel 1 hour ago
    I don't know. Is there really a signal here when it comes to humans? It seems most of the arguments come from one study? Would be interesting to hear those here at HN that are smarter than me comment on this one.
  • paulpauper 33 minutes ago
    I don't think it matters much. People are not mice. The vast majority of people will not overconsume or under-consume protein. There is a huge range where people are eating enough protein.
  • scythe 1 hour ago
    >Think of the body like a car, suggests Clemence Blouet, a neuroendocrinologist at the University of Cambridge in the UK. You can drive fast, using lots of fuel and putting wear and tear on the auto. Or you can stick to a gentle 15 miles per hour, and the car lasts longer. Living in a high-protein or high-calorie fast lane, she muses, could lead to the accumulation of those pro-aging oxygen radicals. Protein, in particular, also turns on systems that promote growth as well as aging. Restricting the diet could mean fewer of those damaging radicals and less pro-aging actions, keeping the body in smoothly working order for longer.

    The implications here for quality of life are pessimistic. Also, the "extension" in the study is about 10%, but driving responsibly can make your car last many times longer.

    • miltran 54 minutes ago
      Radicals, i think mostly caused by high carbohydrates, ie Advanced Glycation End Products (AGEs) which probably mainly are generated by overconsumotion of carbohydrates.

      You can have a keto/carnivore diet which, will minimize AGEs, is the meat/protein actually bad for you? (Assuming you avoid the std diet carb overconsumption ofc)

  • sublinear 1 hour ago
    > Protein dominates the grocery shelves: Protein chips. Protein cookies. Protein water.

    Yeah and most of it is incomplete plant protein missing amino acids.

    > Protein restriction, Phillips says, is a sort of “lite” version of a more well-known longevity hack — caloric restriction.

    I'm confused by this since protein is much lower calorie than fat or carbs.

    • kuerbel 58 minutes ago
      >Yeah and most of it is incomplete plant protein missing amino acids.

      Common misconception. Soybean, quinoa, buckwheat provide all essential amino acids in good proportions

      almost all plant proteins contain all nine essential amino acids, just in lower proportions.

    • dahinds 1 hour ago
      protein and carbohydrate are both 4 calories per gram?
      • cavisne 35 minutes ago
        When you include the thermic effect of food protein is closer to 3 calories per gram. Ie it burns about a calorie to digest a gram of protein
      • sublinear 1 hour ago
        Protein serving size is generally lower than carbs in a typical meal. It's not that simple.