Dietary protein is critical to support human growth, development, aging and overall health; evidence highlights the importance of accounting for utilizable protein, which reflects both quantity and quality. Protein quality refers to the ‘potency of a food protein to supply the body with amino acids relative to requirements.’ In mid-to high-income countries, average protein intake often exceeds the recommended dietary allowance (RDA). Yet, the variability in protein quality among different sources (such as plant and animal sources), needs to be considered when considering the adequacy of dietary protein. Protein quality plays a crucial role in meeting protein requirements for the general population, particularly for vulnerable subgroups that are at increased risk of failing to meet their quantitative protein needs. The goals of this session are to: 1. Examine a new analysis of total protein intakes of Canadian adults relative to recommended levels. 2. Investigate the importance of protein quantity, quality and essential amino acids to overall health. 3. Gain a deeper understanding of the most widely accepted protein quality assessment methods and the differences in protein quality across foods and dietary patterns. 4. Understand the emerging evidence that examines protein intakes of adults in mid-to-high income countries in the context of varying dietary protein quality ratings and whole-food proteins.
Heather Keller RD PhD FDC FCAHS is a Professor and the Schlegel Research Chair in Nutrition & Aging at the University of Waterloo and the Schlegel-UW Research Institute for Aging. She is an internationally recognized expert in geriatric nutrition, assessment, and treatment. Research areas focus on nutrition risk and malnutrition identification and treatment across care sectors; improving nutrition care processes and implementing screening and other best practices; supporting food intake of diverse groups living in the community, including those living with dementia; and improving hospital and residential food and promoting food intake and the mealtime experience in these settings. Professor Keller has led several national research and knowledge translation projects, including the landmark Nutrition Care in Canadian Hospitals, More-2-Eat and Making the Most of Mealtimes in Long Term Care studies. Professor Keller has published more than 300 peer-reviewed articles and translates much of this evidence into practice with tools and resources. As a founding member and past chair/co-chair (2009-2018) of the Canadian Malnutrition Task Force, she is involved in translating research into practice and advocating for improvements in nutrition care for Canadians.