Simon Ward, Be Battle Ready - The podcast for strength, resilience, and longevity

Part 1 - Protein for Endurance and Ageing: What the RDA Gets Wrong


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Protein is having a moment, but the internet has turned it into a shouting match. In part one, I’m joined by performance nutritionist Dr Jules Strauss to cut through the noise and give you a clear framework. We start with the standard “recommended daily allowance” and quickly get into what actually matters for endurance athletes and masters athletes: muscle maintenance, recovery, quality of life, and staying strong enough to keep doing the stuff you love for decades.

What we cover

  • The RDA vs athlete reality
  •       Why 0.8-1.0 g per kg is a general population target, not an “optimal for performance” target.

    • How much protein do endurance athletes need?
    • Typical ranges for endurance athletes and how masters athletes may benefit from the higher end.
    • Anabolic resistance (ageing and protein)
    • Why older athletes may need a bigger protein dose per meal to stimulate muscle protein synthesis. J
    • Strength training plus protein is the power combo
    • Why lifting and protein work better together than either one alone.
    • Sarcopenia and healthspan
    • Muscle loss is not just a “gym issue”. It is independence, falls risk, and quality of life.
    • Protein quality, plant vs animal, and what actually matters
    • The truth: differences exist, but you can thrive on multiple approaches if you plan properly.
    • Too much protein, kidney worries, and what happens to the excess
    • Where the sensible upper limits sit for endurance athletes.
    • Protein and fat loss
    • Why protein can help appetite and muscle retention in a calorie deficit, but it is not magic.

      Key takeaways

      • If you are an endurance athlete, the RDA is a floor, not a target.
      • As you age, you may need more protein per meal to get the same muscle-building signal.
      • Protein plus resistance training is one of the best “anti-rust” strategies going.
      • Plant-based can work brilliantly, but it needs more planning to cover bases like essential amino acids and leucine.
      • More is not always better. Most endurance athletes do not need to live at extreme intakes.
      • Key quote regarding the RDA numbers

        “Those numbers are about survival rather than thriving or optimal performance.”

         

        Listener action

        • Work out your daily protein target and write it down (especially if you are over 45).
        • Add one simple rule: protein at every meal. Breakfast is usually where people fall apart.
        •  

          Connect with Dr. Jules Strauss:

          • Website: totalendurancenutrition.com
          • Instagram: @drjulesstrauss_nutritionist
          • Resources recommended by Jules

            Beyond muscle hypertrophy. Why dietary protein is important for endurance athletes

             

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            Connect with me HERE:

            https://linktr.ee/simonward

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            Website: www.simonward.co.uk

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            Simon Ward, Be Battle Ready - The podcast for strength, resilience, and longevityBy Simon Ward

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