Tuesday, June 17, 2008

Protein Review--Protein Quality and Optimal Health

Here is another one for ya. Be sure to check out yesterday's post if you missed it.

Protein quality assessment: impact of expanding understanding of protein and amino acid needs for optimal health.

Millward DJ, Layman DK, Tomé D, Schaafsma G.

School of Biomedical and Molecular Sciences, University of Surrey, Surrey, UK.

Protein quality describes characteristics of a protein in relation to its ability to achieve defined metabolic actions. Traditionally, this has been discussed solely in the context of a protein's ability to provide specific patterns of amino acids to satisfy the demands for synthesis of protein as measured by animal growth or, in humans, nitrogen balance. As understanding of protein's actions expands beyond its role in maintaining body protein mass, the concept of protein quality must expand to incorporate these newly emerging actions of protein into the protein quality concept. New research reveals increasingly complex roles for protein and amino acids in regulation of body composition and bone health, gastrointestinal function and bacterial flora, glucose homeostasis, cell signaling, and satiety. The evidence available to date suggests that quality is important not only at the minimum Recommended Dietary Allowance level but also at higher intakes. Currently accepted methods for measuring protein quality do not consider the diverse roles of indispensable amino acids beyond the first limiting amino acid for growth or nitrogen balance. As research continues to evolve in assessing protein's role in optimal health at higher intakes, there is also need to continue to explore implications for protein quality assessment.

Am J Clin Nutr. 2008 May;87(5):1576S-1581S.

Publication Types:

* Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

* Review

PMID: 18469291 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

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