PROTEIN PACKED

LAUREN TAYLOR chats to TV doctor Rupy Aujla about healthy protein sources and why we need more as we get older

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GP and nutritionist Dr Rupy Aujla says he's "changed his mind massively around protein" in the past couple of years.

"I used to be of the opinion that current guidelines were sufficient," explains the 39-year-old, whose TV appearances include This Morning, BBC's Morning Live and Saturday Kitchen.

Current guidelines in the UK suggest around 0.8 grams per kg of bodyweight of protein a day.

"It should be at least 50% more," says Dr Aujla. "Looking at the latest research [into the impor-tance of protein] in some people I would say 100% more.

"We've been suggesting a lower amount to prevent deficiency, rather than an adequate amount to help us thrive," says the GP, who runs The Doctor's Kitchen and has just published his latest book, Healthy High Protein.

WHAT IS PROTEIN?

"Proteins are complex molecules that are essential for nearly all biological processes, composed of 20 amino acids," says Dr Aujla.

When we think about protein we often think about building muscle, but actually, "when you eat protein, only 25% of that dietary protein goes towards muscle building the vast majority of the rest of the protein that you're consuming and recycling in your body is going to other areas; enzymes, hormones, cell structures, bones, hair, nails".

WHAT HAPPENS IF YOU DON'T EAT ENOUGH?

"When you don't eat enough protein, it will start drawing on your biggest source of protein materials which are your muscles. So you actually get mild muscle breakdown," explains Dr Aujla.