I have a big interest in nutrition and sport science and have come to notice that, at least for me, it seems really hard to fulfill the quantity and specific substances one consumes daily and a question has come to my mind. Where do these recommended minimum amounts come frome and does it make sense utilizing them in a regular life?
My question is: What do these minimum recommendations mean and where did they come from? Are they amounts you need to stay alive or more like being healthy from our standards today?
Because protein for example, at least for me, isn’t quite easy to fulfill if you take aminoacids into account and I can’t quite wrap my head around how historically, it would be possible for tribes people to even nearly fulfill these, and more so if you think about droughts and lack of food or the bodys ability to recicle dead cells while in a fasting period.
I don’t ask this to question these recommendations or deny there existence completely. I am just curious and can’t find information about it other than calculate the amount one needs.
Interesting question. The RDA (recommended daily allowance) was originated during WW2 by the US to address possible nutritional deficiencies, primarily for soldiers, and took into account food availability at the time. These guidelines were revised every decade or so with the daily servings being incorporated in the 1950s.
Early 2000s it was determined there was only the minimum of scientific research behind the values (haha) and were largely based on the changing opinion of the times despite there being determined calculations. Not much has changed since then however.
Fairly obvious the allowances are meant to act as a general guideline for what the body needs to function on the daily. We know that everybody’s dietary needs change with age and various medical conditions.
As far as you having trouble meeting the approx protein minimum of 50g per day, Id suggest getting creative with your sources. For me its quite easy to keep it light; a couple eggs, 3oz of animal protein and a vegan protein drink or bar. If aminos are still a concern, try Braggs Amino Acids as a supplement, but personally I feel by incorporating nuts, legumes and veggies Im getting much more than RDA across the board.
GL and Happy Eating!
It’s odd to me as well. You’d think with the “daily requirements” our ancestors would’ve been SOL with no food for a few weeks. But they weren’t. Our body is a master of survival and seems to do fine at adapting. With or without food