Efforts to assess patient protein requirements hinges on the effectiveness of different protein sources to meet amino acid needs. In addition to a food’s essential amino acid content, digestibility and food processing can significantly influence the capacity to meet metabolic needs. A variety of metrics have been developed over the past century to provide clinicians and health organizations with methods for determining adequacy. While the Protein Digestibility Corrected Amino Acid Score (PDCAAS) remains the most common measure of assessing protein sources, it has limitations. Each amino acid has a unique biological role or multiple roles. Almost all plant sources of protein have one or more rate limiting amino acids. This requires the consumption of multiple plant proteins over relatively short windows of time to provide a complimentary array of essential amino acids. This is increasingly relevant as plant-based diets gain popularity across all demographics. Populations can receive better nutrition support with education regarding the necessity to combine specific plants at meals and clinicians can better serve their patients by understanding how specific essential amino acids provide additional benefits beyond simply meeting protein needs. Join John Bagnulo MPH, PhD in Food and Nutrition Sciences from the University of Maine to examine the current methods of assessing protein quality, meeting essential amino acid requirements with various food combinations in plant-based diets and the ability of specific amino acids to influence physiology.
References: Protein influence on Human Physiology References
APPROVED FOR 1 CPE CREDIT BY THE CDR OF THE ACADEMY OF NUTRITION AND DIETETICS RDs may claim CE credit for this webinar until 3/30/2025.
Make sure to check to out the Continuing Education Guide for instructions on how to complete and earn your credit for this course!