Texas A&M: protein needs vary widely

Texas A&M University said on May 13 that daily protein needs can differ substantially from person to person, with guidance centered on a single benchmark often missing differences in age, activity, metabolic health and body composition. The university’s Stories site published the explainer on Wednesday and attributed the comments to Nicolaas Deutz, a professor in health and kinesiology and director of the Center for Translational Research in Aging and Longevity at Texas A&M. Deutz said the standard recommendation of about 0.8 grams of protein per kilogram of body weight per day was designed to cover most healthy people, but not to serve as a personalized target for every individual. Texas A&M framed the message as part of a broader push toward more individualized nutrition guidance. ### Why is Texas A&M challenging the standard protein target? The 0.8-gram-per-kilogram benchmark has long anchored dietary guidance, but Texas A&M said that figure is often treated as if it were a universal daily goal rather than a baseline recommendation. Deutz said the number was intended to meet the needs of nearly all healthy people, not to define an optimal intake for every person in every circumstance. The university’s explanation tracks a wider debate in nutrition research over whether minimum recommendations are too blunt for people with different health profiles or goals. A 2023 review in the Journal of Nutrition said current recommendations rely heavily on older nitrogen-balance studies conducted predominantly in young adults and argued that protein requirements warrant reassessment. ### Which personal factors did the researchers say matter most? Texas A&M said age, physical activity, metabolic health and lean body mass can all change how much protein a person may need. The university’s explainer said two people with the same body weight may not have the same requirement if one has more muscle mass, is older, or is exercising more heavily. Nicolaas Deutz’s research profile at Texas A&M describes his work as focused on nutrition, metabolism and physiology in humans and animals, with a clinical interest in using nutritional support to treat malnutrition in older adults and people with acute and chronic disease. (jn.nutrition.org) The Center for Translational Research in Aging and Longevity, which he directs, says it studies metabolism, nutrition and healthy aging. ### Why does lean body mass come up in a protein discussion? Lean body mass is central because protein is tied to the maintenance of muscle and other non-fat tissue, and Texas A&M said body weight alone can miss those differences. The university’s point was that a person’s composition may be more useful than scale weight when setting intake goals. Research cited in the Journal of Nutrition has linked higher protein intake in some settings to preservation of lean body mass, especially during weight loss or alongside resistance training. (remotehealth.tamu.edu) A separate review and meta-analysis published in 2025 found that protein supplementation combined with resistance training improved lean body mass more than supplementation alone across 38 randomized trials. ### Does this mean everyone should eat more protein? Texas A&M did not say that everyone should increase protein intake. The university’s guidance was narrower: tailor intake to individual goals and measures instead of assuming a single target fits all. Stanford Medicine said in a March 25, 2026 explainer that protein needs depend on factors including age, body size and activity, adding to the broader message that personalized intake matters more than blanket advice. (jn.nutrition.org) Other mainstream medical guidance still presents the 0.8-gram-per-kilogram figure as the recommended dietary allowance for an average sedentary adult, while noting that some older adults or highly active people may need more. ### What should readers watch for next from Texas A&M? The May 13 Texas A&M Stories article is now the university’s main public explanation of the finding, and it identifies Deutz as the named expert behind the guidance. The next public step is likely to come through Texas A&M’s nutrition and aging research programs, including the Center for Translational Research in Aging and Longevity and related university outreach pages that track faculty work on metabolism, aging and diet. (med.stanford.edu) (ctral.tamu.edu)