Examining widely held propositions on human dietary protein needs and benefits: a critical review of the science that shapes both the data and our understanding of an essential macronutrient

M. M. Kanter; Sally Aaron; Steven N. Austad; Andrew W. Brown; Nicholas A. Burd; Wayne W. Campbell; Mark Cope; Teresa A. Davis; John W. Erdman; Miguel Freitas; Kristen Hicks-Roof; Samuel Klein; Wantanee Kriengsinyos; Dudley W. Lamming; Donald K. Layman; Heather J. Leidy; Kevin C. Maki; Richard D. Mattes; Shalene McNeill; Daniel R. Moore; Stefan M. Pasiakos; Stuart M. Phillips; David Raubenheimer; Wendy Reinhardt; Nancy R. Rodriguez; S. A. Simpson; Hans H Stein; Luc J.C. van Loon; Connie M. Weaver; David B. Allison

doi:10.1080/10408398.2026.2658728

Key Points

This review critically evaluates the existing scientific propositions regarding human dietary protein needs and the gaps in evidence supporting these claims.
Analysis of existing literature on dietary protein needs.
Assessment of the quality and relevance of the research base.
Identification of gaps in sample size and study duration.
Experts called for more research due to insufficient evidence supporting many dietary protein propositions.
Identified issues included low quality and small sample sizes in relevant studies.
Surrogate markers were often inadequately used, affecting the validity of findings.

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Implication

Critical review examines the science behind dietary protein needs in humans, highlighting research gaps.

Abstract

" In most instances, the experts believed additional research was warranted. For many propositions the research base was insufficient in terms of quality (rigor), quantity (sample size, study duration), or pertinence (e.g., use of surrogate markers).

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Kanter et al. (2026) studied this question.

synapsesocial.com/papers/6a0020aec8f74e3340f9b8f0 https://doi.org/10.1080/10408398.2026.2658728

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Examining widely held propositions on human dietary protein needs and benefits: a critical review of the science that shapes both the data and our understanding of an essential macronutrient

Key Points

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Implication

Abstract

Discussion

Cite This Study

Examining widely held propositions on human dietary protein needs and benefits: a critical review of the science that shapes both the data and our understanding of an essential macronutrient

Key Points

Ask about this paper

Implication

Abstract

Discussion

Cite This Study

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