Recommended Daily Protein Intake for Elderly

The amount of “complete” protein a person requires per day is about 0.015 ounces per pound of body weight. This comes to around 2 ounces per day, depending on the size of the person. This amount is required to replace the protein the body loses daily in the form of discarded cells, and proteins broken down or “turned over” through metabolism. Such replacement protein is not used for energy but goes back into the structure of the body.

However, at low calorie levels, the body may divert some of this replacement protein into energy use, and leave you relatively deficient in protein for structural use. (more…)