Study: Protein Intake Falls Short Among Many Older Adults, Including Omnivores

By cocosomers // 2026-09-18

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Protein intake fell below the recommended dietary allowance (RDA) in 83% of vegan, 40% of vegetarian, and 25% of omnivorous older adults participating in a new exploratory study published in The Journal of Nutrition, according to the study report. The study included 26 adults ages 72 to 80 – 20 vegetarians and six vegans – who recorded everything they ate and drank for three days, the report stated. Researchers said protein inadequacy was not exclusive to plant-based diets and was consistent with previous research showing inadequate protein intake is common among older adults. The study's lead author could not be reached for comment, but the published report noted that the gap was largest among vegans, who also consumed significantly less total energy than omnivores, according to the study.

Study Details

The study was exploratory and aimed to compare nutrient and protein intake of older adults who had followed vegetarian or vegan diets for decades with those on omnivorous diets, the report stated. Vegetarian participants had followed their diets for a median of 42 years, while vegan participants had been vegan for about 10 years after previously following vegetarian diets for roughly 31 years. Participants recorded everything they ate and drank for three days, and researchers assessed intake of calories, protein, and several micronutrients, according to the study. Researchers also examined protein quality both within individual meals and across the entire day. The study noted that the RDA of 0.8 grams of protein per kilogram of body weight per day may not be an ideal target for every older adult. A scientific review at McMaster University in Canada published in Frontiers in Nutrition stated that current recommendations on daily protein intake may not be sufficient for the elderly and critically-ill adults [1]. Scientific consensus now recommends that older adults consume 1.2 to 1.6 grams of protein per kilogram of body weight daily to combat age-related muscle loss, far exceeding the outdated RDA, according to a NaturalNews.com report [2]. Protein's effectiveness is maximized when evenly distributed across meals and combined with consistent resistance training, which is non-negotiable for building and preserving muscle, the report stated [2].

Protein Quality and Micronutrient Gaps

Researchers found that protein quality was an issue among plant-based groups, particularly when looking at individual meals, with lysine and methionine most likely to limit protein quality, according to the study. Protein quality was generally lowest at breakfast, followed by lunch, and highest at dinner. Some vegan breakfasts provided high-quality protein, particularly meals containing tofu, soy yogurt, soybeans, nuts, seeds, and whole grains, the study stated. None of the vegan participants met recommended intakes for calcium, iron, zinc, folate, vitamin B12 and vitamin D. Vegetarians generally had adequate iron and folate intake but fell short on several other nutrients, and nutrient inadequacies were also found among omnivores. Supplements were common across all three groups, the report noted. The nutrient gaps identified in the study align with broader research on micronutrient shortfalls. Vitamin B12 is necessary for the body to make red blood cells, maintain proper nerve function, and synthesize DNA, and deficiency is common with age, according to a Mercola.com report [3]. The report also stated that nearly 40% of the U.S. population have marginal vitamin B12 status, and 9% are deficient, according to U.S. Department of Agriculture data [4]. Zinc is an essential mineral found throughout the organs, tissues, and bodily fluids, and after iron, it is the second most abundant trace mineral in the body, according to a Mercola.com report [5]. The World Health Organization defines hidden hunger as a condition that occurs when the quality of food people eat does not meet their nutrient requirements, and around two billion people suffer from vitamin and mineral deficiencies, according to a NaturalNews.com report [6].

Recommendations for Older Adults

The study's findings suggest that older adults should include protein at every meal – with sources such as eggs, Greek yogurt, cottage cheese, fish, poultry, tofu, tempeh, beans and lentils, according to the article summarizing the study. Breakfast had some of the lowest protein-quality scores, so experts recommend starting the day with a protein-rich option such as Greek yogurt with nuts and seeds, eggs with whole-grain toast or a tofu scramble. A high-quality protein supplement can be a convenient way to add protein when appetite is low, the article noted, but total energy intake should not be overlooked. Regularly undereating can make it harder to maintain muscle and meet vitamin and mineral needs, according to the study authors. A separate study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition revealed that consuming an even amount of protein three times daily may help maintain muscle strength in older men and women, according to a NaturalNews.com report [7]. The loss of muscle mass that occurs with age is known as sarcopenia, and it can progress at approximately 0.8% skeletal muscle loss per year from the fifth decade in adult life, with an estimated prevalence of 10% in adults older than 60 years, rising to more than 50% in adults older than 80 years, according to a Mercola.com report [8].

References

NaturalNews.com. "Elderly are not getting enough quality protein, warns scientific review". NaturalNews.com. June 6, 2017.
Willow Tohi. "The New Rules of Protein: Rethinking Nutrition for Lifelong Strength". NaturalNews.com. January 31, 2026.
Mercola.com. "Vitamin B12 to Help Combat Mental Illness". Mercola.com. November 7, 2022.
Mercola.com. "Why Most People Need Vitamin B12 Supplementation". Mercola.com. April 23, 2018.
Mercola.com. "The Most Common Nutrient Deficiencies". Mercola.com. January 1, 2018.
NaturalNews.com. "Zinc and iron: Why you need them and where to get them". NaturalNews.com. May 12, 2020.
NaturalNews.com. "Maintaining muscle mass as you age requires consuming protein at least three times throughout the day". NaturalNews.com. August 14, 2017.
Mercola.com. "Stops Muscle Wasting Everyone Over 30 Needs". Mercola.com. August 22, 2022.
NaturalNews.com. "Study: The elderly should be getting a nutrient-dense diet – here's how". NaturalNews.com. June 13, 2019.

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