Adaptation to Low Protein and Energy Intakes

Datos Bibliográficos

ID7801003
AutoresNevin S Scrimshaw (Massachusetts Institute of Technology), Vernon R Young (Massachusetts Institute of Technology)
Año1989
Volumen48
Número1
Páginas20-30
Fecha de publicación1989-03-01
Peer ReviewedSí
Open AccessNo
TipoARTICLE
RevistaHuman Organization (JOURNAL)
Identificadores de la revistaISSN: 0018-7259 • E-ISSN: 1938-3517
EditorialInforma UK Limited (PUBLISHER • GB)
DOI10.17730/humo.48.1.f141vp5456339880
OpenAlexW2044073186
IdiomaEN
Citas recibidas17
Referencias citadas31

This paper focuses on two principal issues. First, what are the consequences of low dietary protein and amino acid intakes? Second, what are the physiological and social limits to restricted energy intakes? The concepts of adaptation and accommodation are presented. It is suggested that the limit of adaptation to low dietary protein is achieved at the intake level considered minimally necessary to maintain health in well-nourished subjects, as judged by nitrogen balance, stable lean body mass and absence of functional impairment. For lower protein intakes survival is prolonged via an accommodation, involving loss of lean body mass and reduced rates of protein and amino acid turnover. There is only a limited metabolic capacity for adaptation to reduced energy intakes, but variations in the level and pattern of physical activity permit a maintenance of body energy balance over a broad range of energy intakes. Where reduced physical activity to balance restricted energy intakes has adverse social, cultural and/or economic consequences the response should be viewed as an accommodation and not as adaptation. The range of adaptation depends on the criteria of normality and the assessment of the biological and social costs of changes with low intakes

Accommodation · Adaptation (eye) · Balance (ability) · Biology · Body weight · Energy balance · Energy expenditure · Environmental health · Lean body mass · Nitrogen · Nitrogen balance · Normality · Physical medicine and rehabilitation · Chemistry · Ecology · Endocrinology · Medicine · Muscle metabolism and nutrition · Nutritional Studies and Diet · Obesity, Physical Activity, Diet · Psychology · Social Psychology