Breaking The Preconceived Notions Of Previous Studies: Diets High In Protein Promote Longevity In The Elderly

Andrea Riddle
6 Oct, 2022

High-Protein Diets
During medical studies recently, it was thought that a diet made up of protein for anyone over middle age would be actually bad for their health. But as medical reports show, a high animal protein diet is actually proven to prevent psychological, and physical decline.

Shattering the Molds of Previous Studies

Another investigation recently has also mentioned that grilled meat may heighten your chances of getting Alzheimer’s disease when you are older. However, that mold has been shattered by experts who state that research indicates our bodies actually have trouble absorbing protein as we age. This means we must consume the same if not a great amount, rather than a low-protein diet as formerly suggested.

The Life Expectancy and Social Function

Protein diet these research studies have also looked at the life expectancy of other countries, noticing that people live longer in some but may experience a decline in social function. This means that normal cognitive abilities may worsen as well as not being able to finish daily activities that one might normally do.

After this was brought to the attention of Megumi Tsubota-Utsugi from the National Institute of Health and Nutrition in Japan, tests were immediately started on whether protein may or may not affect an older man and woman, specifically the elderly.


The connection to reducing the decline of social function was not with vegetable protein; however, it was with high animal protein diets. Megumi’s study took a look at the protein intake as well as the social function and mental capacity of elderly participants in order to obtain these results.

The Test Subjects and Results

At the end of their study, they tested 1,007 elderly male participants who were on average about 65. They also completed questions at the beginning of the test and at the end of the test, 7 years after it had started. The group of people was then divided into two sections with their results. These two groups were how much animal protein one had taken and how many plants protein one had taken. 

After this was done, functional tests were done on the participants in order to determine which protein had improved the incline of functional capacity. This also included social functions, activities one has to do daily as well as speaking and intellectual tidbits.


The results of the 7-year-long study were astounding! It was proven that men from the high protein from animals group had lowered their risk of functional decline by a whopping 39% as opposed to the ones who were taking in plant protein.


While more studies will likely go on after this to test women and specifically the link between plant protein and decline, experts are one step closer to keeping fish with green vegetables and elderly people functional by maintaining a diet high in proteins from animals.

What Foods are High in Animal Protein?

You may be wondering where someone would get animal proteins. You can easily consume animal proteins by eating any of the following foods:

  • Red meat
  • Tuna Fish (and many other plates of seafood)
  • Turkey
  • Chicken
  • Eggs and other dairy products
  • Protein Powder
  • Cheese products

Protein also helps weight loss in heavier people as well as helping with leanness and firmness. Elderly patients that consume more protein may become a bit less brittle and sore as well.

Choosing the Right Type of Meat

When choosing a slice of meat, you must choose a specific kind that is not filled with chemicals and low-quality bits. You may want to seek organic and grass-fed meat rather than grain-fed. Grain-fed animals have been proven to become sick more often than grass-fed which may leave things you do not want in the meat including infection.

Seafood is also a great source of omega oils, which help decrease in risks of heart attacks, prevent Alzheimer’s disease, and more as well as lowering blood pressure. Foods high in Omega’s also allowed the skin to become radiant and glowing while helping the joints function properly again without much pain. Of course, this is after prolonged use, much like the diets that were studied over a 7-year period.

Do Eggs Really Increase Cholesterol?

Often, we hear that eggs will raise your cholesterol and too much may be a bad thing; however, that is a myth. Studies done by the Huazhong University of Science and Technology have stated that there is no correlation between heart and cardiovascular diseases and egg intake.

While eggs may raise your dietary cholesterol, this does not raise blood cholesterol and will not cause heart disease as formerly thought of by doctors for decades.

High Protein = Bad for Younger Generations?

Before these studies, it was thought to be bad if you had higher protein diets if you were middle-aged. However, the elderly need more protein and have results opposite to their younger generations.

Living a Long, Healthy Life

If you want to promote longevity in yourself or your elders that you may be close with, helping them maintain a balanced diet high in animal proteins will allow them to remain healthy, and lean as well as promote wellness in their social and mental functions over time. While proteins promote weight loss in people trying to shed some pounds, this can also decrease the risk of many other diseases including diabetes, heart disease, eyesight problems, and much more.

In order to maintain this healthy high protein diet, rotating the types of foods you eat with protein is key. Mercury in fish is often said to be present, so this means you do not consume fish every single day. Eating fish one day, chicken or turkey the next, and having a set schedule will allow you to remain the healthiest while consuming higher protein foods.

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