Is ‘proteinmaxxing’ for everyone? Cardiologist Dr Alok Chopra explains who should increase intake based on health goals

Key Points:

• The fitness trend of "proteinmaxxing," or consuming very high amounts of protein to boost muscle gain, is gaining popularity, but cardiologist Dr. Alok Chopra advises that more protein is not always better and individual needs vary based on age, activity, health, and goals.
• Healthy adults generally require about 0.8 g of protein per kg of body weight daily, with increased needs for physically active individuals, though benefits plateau beyond meeting these requirements; resistance training remains essential for muscle growth.
• Older adults over 65 should pay particular attention to protein intake, aiming for around 1 to 1.2 g/kg/day alongside strength training to preserve muscle mass and maintain mobility.
• Children, teenagers, and pregnant or breastfeeding women need adequate protein for growth and health, but should focus on balanced diets rather than excessive protein consumption or fitness trends.
• Individuals with kidney disease should avoid increasing protein intake without medical advice, as excess protein can strain kidney function; personalized guidance from healthcare professionals is crucial.