Summary

Based on N balance calculated in accord with the recommendations of the 1985 Joint FAO/WHO/UNU Expert Consultation, a summary of conclusions from the six N balance studies in elderly people is presented in Table 3. The data, with one flawed exception, indicate that the safe level of protein intake for older adults may be higher than currently recommended.

In the only study directly comparing elderly and young subjects (Cheng et al, 1978), no differences in protein requirement were found. However, the data suggest that the 0.8 g protein/kg/d would be inadequate for both groups. Additional direct comparisons between younger and older adults are desirable as a basis for any revised recommendations.

In the only study directly comparing the protein requirements of both elderly men and women (Uauy et al, 1978), the variability was too great to allow adequate assessment of possible gender differences. More research is needed to determine whether gender-related differences occur.