Animal Protein Intake Is Inversely Associated With Mortality in Older Adults: The InCHIANTI Study. Issue 9 (27th November 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Meroño, Tomás; Zamora-Ros, Raúl; Hidalgo-Liberona, Nicole; Rabassa, Montserrat; Bandinelli, Stefania; Ferrucci, Luigi; Fedecostante, Massimiliano; Cherubini, Antonio; Andres-Lacueva, Cristina
• Editors: Lipsitz, Lewis A
• Is Part Of: Journals of gerontology. Volume 77:Issue 9(2022)
• Page Start: 1866
• Page End: 1872
• Publication Date: 2021-11-27
• Subjects: Cohort study -- Diet -- Longevity -- Nutrition -- Protein; Geriatrics -- Periodicals; Gerontology -- Periodicals; 618.97
• DOI: 10.1093/gerona/glab334
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1079-5006

Abstract

Abstract: Background: In general, plant protein intake was inversely associated with mortality in studies in middle-aged adults. Our aim was to evaluate the long-term associations of animal and plant protein intake with mortality in older adults. Methods: A prospective cohort study including 1 139 community-dwelling older adults (mean age 75 years, 56% women) living in Tuscany, Italy, followed for 20 years (InCHIANTI study) was analyzed. Dietary intake by food frequency questionnaires and clinical information were assessed 5 times during the follow-up. Protein intakes were expressed as percentages of total energy. Time-dependent Cox regression models adjusted for confounders were used to assess the association between plant and animal protein intake, and mortality. Results: During the 20 years of follow-up (mean: 12 years), 811 deaths occurred (292 of cardiovascular- and 151 of cancer-related causes). Animal protein intake was inversely associated with all-cause (hazard ratio [HR] per 1% of total energy from protein increase, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.96, 0.93–0.99) and cardiovascular mortality (HR per 1% of total energy from protein increase, 95% CI: 0.93, 0.87–0.98). Plant protein intake showed no association with any of the mortality outcomes, but an interaction with baseline hypertension was found for all-cause and cardiovascular mortality ( p < .05). Conclusions: Animal protein was inversely associated with all-cause and cardiovascular mortality in older adults. Further studies are needed to provide recommendations on dietary protein intake for older adults.