Why protein is most important macronutrient as you age (and how to get it).
We know you’ve likely had information about protein shoved down your throat (pun intended) but do you really understand the WHY? Things change during ageing and the menopause transition that affect how people’s bodies incorporate dietary protein, and the impact on this is far-reaching. From lower muscle mass, changes to change in satiety (how full you are) and a reduction in energy expenditure (how much we burn in a day), protein affects a lot. We review what catabolism is, and how eating the same protein you’ve always eaten doesn't provide enough building blocks to prevent muscle breakdown as you age. In this episode we’ll talk through: Why is protein the most important macronutrient in menopause? What happens if you don’t hit your targets (and it has to do with appetite)? The impact that both aging and menopause have on metabolism and protein needs (they aren’t the same) Why women have different needs than men. We’ll also cover how to increase your protein intake to meet your needs and what you might notice if you increase your protein levels up to the targets we discuss. We’ve released our new Women’s Health Unplugged App on the App Store and Google Play this month, with our first on-demand course being on endometriosis and menstrual cramps. You can download the app and get ready for our subscriber-only content for the Women’s Health Unplugged podcast when we release it later in 2023.