Dietary habits and per-meal protein intake among older adults: Associations with visceral proteins

Abstract Background: There is emerging evidence that per meal intake of protein might influence the anabolic effects of protein intake. Visceral proteins are commonly used as biomarkers of protein nutrition status. However, associations between visceral proteins and different aspects of protein intake, like per meal intake and protein sources, are rarely examined.Method: In a cross-sectional study of 92 adults aged 65 years or older protein intake (all day, breakfast, lunch, dinner and evening meal) and number of meals with ≥30g protein were assessed by a 24h multiple pass method. Dietary habits were assessed by a frequency questionnaire, and nutritional status by the Mini Nutritional Assessment (MNA). Blood samples were analyzed for serum albumin, pre-albumin and retinol-binding protein (RBP), and associations with nutrition assessed with correlation analyses and t-tests for difference between groups. Result: More than one meal with ≥30g protein was reported by 10% of the participants, and 28% of the participants did not reach an intake of 30g in any of their meals. Albumin, prealbumin and RBP was not associated with protein intake in total or per meal.Further, the biomarkers were not significantly different compared to participants with at least one meal with ≥30g protein. Conclusions: This study demonstrated infrequent intake of meals with ≥30g protein and no associations with biomarkers. Larger studies should assess per meal intake of protein to gain knowledge of possible health effects of protein eating patterns in elderly. Trial registrationThis study report baseline assessments from a randomised controlled study pre-registered at http://www.clinicaltrials.gov with the unique identifier NCT02890290.