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The Daily Insight

Do older athletes need more protein

Author

Nathan Sanders

Published Apr 06, 2026

Older athletes of any age have increased protein requirements due to the need for repair of the damage that training and competing have on muscle fibres, as well as the increased use of protein as an energy source, particularly in aging endurance athletes, and the need for increased protein to support increases in …

How much protein does an older athlete need?

To ensure adequate intake, experts are recommending that younger adult athletes consume between 20-25 grams of protein per meal (0.25 g/kg/meal) and older athletes should aim for 30-40 grams of protein per meal (0.4 g/kg/meal).

How much protein should a 60 year old man?

So, how much protein should seniors eat? The most commonly cited standard is the recommended dietary allowance (RDA): 0.8 grams of protein per kilogram (2.2 pounds) of body weight per day.

Do seniors really need more protein?

During these stressful periods, aging bodies process protein less efficiently and need more of it to maintain muscle mass and strength, bone health and other essential physiological functions. Even healthy seniors need more protein than when they were younger to help preserve muscle mass, experts suggest.

Do athletes need more protein than inactive people?

The answer: Protein needs for an athlete are greater than for the average sedentary individual. This is a result of the effects of exercise on metabolism. Endurance athletes metabolize protein differently during long-lasting activity.

How much protein do I need after 50?

Your protein needs depend on how much you weigh. For women over 50, experts recommend 1 to 1.5 grams of protein per kilogram of weight (1 kilogram = 2.2 pounds). If you weigh 140 pounds, for instance, you would need at least 63 grams of protein a day.

Is whey protein good for over 50s?

Whey is one of the highest quality proteins and is ideal for older persons,” says Stuart Phillips, senior author on the paper and a professor of kinesiology at McMaster. Researchers set out to compare the impact of whey versus collagen protein on muscle loss during periods of inactivity and then recovery.

How can I build muscle after age 80?

Strength training is the secret to muscle growth for older adults. It’s best to do this with light weights and to work slowly. Slow movements with lighter weights force your muscles to work harder. If you don’t have a set of weights, you can use your body weight with resistance exercises like push-ups and squats.

Is too much protein bad for seniors?

Recent evidence shows that the recommended amounts of protein may be too low for elderly people. Seniors may need 1.0-1.3 grams of protein for every kilogram of body weight. For example, if you weight 180 pounds this could mean consuming 80-104 grams of protein every day, regardless of your calorie intake.

Is whey protein good for elderly?

Studies indicate that whey protein supplements promote protein synthesis in the elderly, improving muscle performance and aerobic capacity, protecting against sarcopenia and reducing the risk for falls.

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What happens if you eat too much protein?

Eating too much protein can worsen kidney problems, and over time can cause symptoms like bad breath, indigestion and dehydration. Certain sources of protein like meat, dairy, and processed foods can increase the risk of chronic illnesses like heart disease and cancer.

What happens if you don't get enough protein?

Weakness and Fatigue And over time, a lack of protein can make you lose muscle mass, which in turn cuts your strength, makes it harder to keep your balance, and slows your metabolism. It can also lead to anemia, when your cells don’t get enough oxygen, which makes you tired.

Do I need more protein if I workout?

Your body uses its stored energy sources during a workout. After you exercise, you need to restore those nutrients as soon as possible. Research suggests that eating foods high in protein after your workout (within 15 minutes), provides essential amino acids that build and repair muscles.

Why do athletes believe they need more protein than what is recommended?

Athletes seeking to gain muscle mass and strength are likely to consume higher amounts of dietary protein than their endurance-trained counterparts. The main belief behind the large quantities of dietary protein consumption in resistance-trained athletes is that it is needed to generate more muscle protein.

How much protein do CrossFit athletes need?

So protein is the most important macronutrient for building and maintaining muscle. A recommended amount for CrossFit athletes and anyone who practices strength training, is 1g per pound of bodyweight. So for our example client, that would be 140g per day.

Can seniors drink protein shakes?

However, older adults should not routinely drink protein shakes instead of meals, Gallo cautioned, adding: “That’s a bad idea that can actually result in reduced protein and calorie intake over the long term.”

How much protein does a man over 50 need to build muscle?

Around 50 years of age, we need to increase the protein in our diets to one gram per kilogram of our body weight to maintain muscle mass. People that exercise regularly also need to eat more protein than the recommended daily intake.

Which protein is best for 50 year old man?

  1. Whey Protein. Whey protein is one of the most popular protein products on the market. …
  2. Casein Protein. Like whey, casein is a milk-based protein that contains all the essential amino acids your body needs. …
  3. Whey-Casein Blend. …
  4. Soy Protein. …
  5. Pea Protein. …
  6. Rice Protein.

How many grams of protein should a 55 year old man have?

Current guidelines for adults of any age recommend 0.8 grams of protein per kilogram of body weight. To find out how much you need, multiply your weight in pounds by 0.36. Or use an online protein calculator. A 160-pound person would need 160 x 0.36 = 58 grams of protein a day.

What foods should you avoid after 50?

  • Raw or undercooked eggs, meat and poultry. …
  • Grapefruit. …
  • High-sodium foods. …
  • Caffeine. …
  • Sodas and sugary drinks. …
  • “Sugar-free” drinks. …
  • Alcoholic beverages. …
  • Foods with empty calories.

What food has the most protein?

  • Fish.
  • Seafood.
  • Skinless, white-meat poultry.
  • Lean beef (including tenderloin, sirloin, eye of round)
  • Skim or low-fat milk.
  • Skim or low-fat yogurt.
  • Fat-free or low-fat cheese.
  • Eggs.

How many ounces of protein is needed for older adults?

And recommendations on exactly how much protein older adults need vary. The current recommended dietary allowance (RDA) for protein is 0.8 grams per kilogram (g/kg) of body weight a day for adults over 18, or about 2.3 ounces for a 180-pound adult.

Can seniors still build muscle mass?

Seniors Can Still Bulk Up On Muscle By Pressing Iron Our muscle mass decreases at surprising rates as we get older. But researchers found that people older than 50 can not only maintain but actually increase their muscle mass by lifting weights.

How many pushups should a 70 year old man do?

Men who are 70 to 79 years old should be able to do six to nine push-ups and 10 to 14 sit-ups, while women in that age range should be able to perform four to 10 push-ups and seven to nine sit-ups.

Can a 70 year old man get ripped?

Lifting weights is critical for building muscles after 70. … While the process of bulking up looks different for a 70-year-old versus, say, a 30-year-old (hint: for seniors, regular, progressive weight training is key), it’s entirely possible for older adults to get bigger and stronger.

How much exercise does a 72 year old man need?

do at least 150 minutes of moderate intensity activity a week or 75 minutes of vigorous intensity activity if you are already active, or a combination of both. reduce time spent sitting or lying down and break up long periods of not moving with some activity.

Which protein powder is best for old age?

  1. 1 – Transparent Labs Grass-Fed Whey Protein (Editor’s Choice) Protein per Serving. …
  2. 2 – Ladder Whey Protein. …
  3. 3 – Opportuniteas Grass-Fed Whey Isolate. …
  4. 4 – Ensure Original Nutrition Protein Powder. …
  5. 5 – Isopure Zero Carb Protein Powder. …
  6. 6 – Pure Whey Grass-Fed Whey Protein Powder.

Is 200g of protein a day too much?

General recommendations are to consume 15-25 grams of protein at meals and in the early recovery phase (anabolic window) — 45 minutes to one hour after a workout. Studies show higher intakes (more than 40 grams) are no more beneficial than the recommended 15-25 grams at one time.

Is 100g of protein too much?

You may have concerns that eating too much protein is bad for the kidneys, but 100 grams of protein per day is generally safe for healthy adults.

Is two scoops of protein too much?

How Much Should You Take? Whey protein is generally safe and can be consumed by many people without side effects. A commonly suggested dose is 1–2 scoops (25–50 grams) per day, but it’s recommended that you follow the serving instructions on the package.

What are the signs of low protein?

Signs of protein deficiency include hair loss, brittle nails, weakness, and fatigue. Most people need at least 0.36 grams of protein per pound a day, but this can vary depending on the individual, so talk with your doctor about how much protein you need.