CHARLOTTE, N.C. — As people age and look for ways to stay healthy , one nutrient is getting extra attention: protein. From restaurant menus to grocery store shelves, more food options are offering a boost of protein to help consumers reach their daily goals.

According to Harvard Medical School, adults who don’t engage in regular strength training can lose four to six pounds of muscle per decade. That loss can affect not only strength but also overall health — leading many experts to ask whether older adults should increase their protein intake.

A study published in the Journal of Nutrition, Health and Aging found that among 12,000 adults aged 51 and older, 46% did not meet daily protein recommendations.

“Protein is one of the macronutrients that we need to maintain muscle,” Dr. Sand

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