Evaluation of protein requirements using the indicator amino acid oxidation method: a scoping review

Mai Matsumoto; Aiko Narumi-Hyakutake; Yuya Kakutani; Masayoshi Tsuji; Yoichi Hatamoto; Yasuki Higaki; Satoshi Sasaki

doi:10.1016/j.tjnut.2023.07.015

Evaluation of protein requirements using the indicator amino acid oxidation method: a scoping review

J Nutr. 2023 Dec;153(12):3472-3489. doi: 10.1016/j.tjnut.2023.07.015. Epub 2023 Aug 10.

Authors

Mai Matsumoto¹, Aiko Narumi-Hyakutake², Yuya Kakutani³, Masayoshi Tsuji⁴, Yoichi Hatamoto⁵, Yasuki Higaki⁶, Satoshi Sasaki⁷

Affiliations

¹ Department of Nutritional Epidemiology and Shokuiku, National Institutes of Biomedical Innovation, Health, and Nutrition, Settsu-shi, Osaka, Japan. Electronic address: m-matsumoto@nibiohn.go.jp.
² Department of Nutrition, Faculty of Nutrition, Kobe Gakuin University, Nishi-ku, Kobe, Japan.
³ Department of Health and Nutrition, Faculty of Health and Nutrition, Osaka Shoin Women's University, Higashi-Osaka, Osaka, Japan.
⁴ Department of Lifestyle and Welfare Information, Kindai University Kyushu Junior College, Iizuka, Fukuoka, Japan.
⁵ Department of Nutrition and Metabolism, National Institutes of Biomedical Innovation, Health and Nutrition, Settsu-shi, Osaka, Japan; Faculty of Sports and Health Science, Fukuoka University, Jonan-ku, Fukuoka, Japan.
⁶ Faculty of Sports and Health Science, Fukuoka University, Jonan-ku, Fukuoka, Japan.
⁷ Department of Social and Preventive Epidemiology, School of Public Health, The University of Tokyo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, Japan.

PMID: 37573015
DOI: 10.1016/j.tjnut.2023.07.015

Abstract

Background: The indicator amino acid oxidation (IAAO) method has been accepted as an approach to evaluate habitual protein requirements under free-living conditions.

Objectives: This scoping review reports on literature that evaluated protein requirements in humans using the IAAO methods.

Methods: Three databases (PubMed/Medline, Web of Science, and ProQuest) were systematically searched to identify studies that evaluated protein requirements using the IAAO method published in English until 5 June, 2023. We evaluated the study quality using previously developed criteria. We extracted the characteristics of the study design and the results of protein requirements. Two reviewers conducted both reviews and quality assessments independently; any differences among them were resolved by consensus or agreement of all team members.

Results: We extracted 16 articles targeting children, young adults (including pregnant women, resistance training athletes, endurance-training athletes, and team sports), and older adults. In quality assessment, 14 studies were evaluated "strong," but the remaining 2 were "moderate." These studies were conducted in only 3 countries and did not include all sexes or life stages. The range of the estimated average protein requirements of each life stage was 1.30 g/kg body weight/d for children, 0.87 to 2.10 (0.87-0.93 for general young adults, 1.22-1.52 for pregnant women, 1.49-2.00 for resistance-trained athletes, 1.65-2.10 for endurance athletes, and 1.20-1.41 for team sports athletes) g/kg body weight/d for young adults, and 0.85 to 0.96 g/kg body weight/d for older adults.

Conclusions: Protein requirements in 14 studies were higher than the current reference for each sex, life stage, and physical activity that are related to protein requirements. In the future, protein requirements of various populations including sex and life stage could be assessed using the IAAO methods worldwide.

Keywords: IAAO; human; indicator amino acid oxidation; protein requirement; review.

Publication types

Systematic Review
Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

Aged
Amino Acids* / metabolism
Body Weight
Child
Dietary Proteins* / metabolism
Female
Humans
Nutritional Requirements
Oxidation-Reduction
Pregnancy
Young Adult

Substances

Amino Acids
Dietary Proteins