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The Soy Connection for Health Professionals
The Soy Connection Newsletter | Summer 2026 - Vol 34, No 3 From Science to Application: Translating Protein Quality into Practical Guidance
From Science to Application: Translating Protein Quality into Practical Guidance awards 1.0 CPEU in accordance with the Commission on Dietetic Registration’s CPEU Prior Approval Program.
In This Issue:
Protein continues to dominate nutrition conversations – from evolving dietary guidance to the rapid expansion of protein-forward products across the food supply. The summer issue of the Soy Connection Health & Nutrition newsletter explores protein through both a scientific and real-world lens.
In “Protein Across the Lifespan: What Clinicians Need to Know,” David Church, PhD, reviews protein needs in older adults and active individuals, highlighting evidence for higher requirements in many groups and questioning the adequacy of the current Recommended Dietary Allowance. He also reviews the evidence addresses practical considerations such as distribution and protein source, emphasizing that total daily protein intake is the primary driver of muscle health outcomes and suggesting both plant and animal proteins are effective when total intake and essential amino acid needs are met.
In “Protein Beyond the Numbers: How Quality Impacts Nutrition,” Guy H. Johnson, PhD, provides a comprehensive overview of protein quality, including the strengths and limitations of PDCAAS, DIAAS, and IAAO. His article reinforces that both quantity and quality matter, and that soy remains a high-quality protein within current regulatory frameworks.
Building on this foundation, “The Protein Surge: Guiding Patients and Clients Through Claims and Nutrition Choices,” by Brittany Raftis, MScFN, RD, explores how consumers are navigating an increasingly protein-saturated marketplace. Drawing on recent consumer insights, this article highlights a gap between scientific definitions of protein quality and how protein is interpreted in practice – often through simplified cues such as front-of-pack claims and number of grams.
Together, these articles underscore a key theme: while protein science continues to evolve, much of its complexity is often lost in translation. Bridging this gap is essential. By helping clients and patients move beyond marketing claims and evaluate protein within the context of overall dietary patterns, health professionals can better support informed, meaningful nutrition choices.
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By David Church, PhD
What you need to know:
- Protein needs are higher than the Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA) for many populations. Evidence supports intakes above 0.8 g/kg/day, particularly for older adults and active individuals, with expert groups generally recommending ~1.0–1.6 g/kg/day.1,11,15 The current RDA set by the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine reflects a framework focused on a minimum intake to prevent nitrogen deficiency, not an optimal intake for health or function.
- Total daily protein intake matters more than timing or distribution. Achieving adequate total daily protein, alongside physical activity – especially resistance exercise – is the primary driver of muscle health.
- Protein source is secondary to total intake and amino acid adequacy. Both animal and plant proteins can support muscle mass and strength when total protein and essential amino acid needs are met. High-quality plant proteins, particularly soy, can be effective alternatives when diets are appropriately planned.
By Guy H. Johnson, PhD
What you need to know:
- Protein needs and focus are increasing. Updated dietary guidance emphasizes the importance of including protein foods in a balanced diet, making both quantity and quality critical for supporting muscle health, satiety, and overall metabolic function.
- Multiple methods assess protein quality: PDCAAS (current U.S. standard), DIAAS (more precise but not widely implemented), and IAAO (used to determine requirements). Each offers unique insights, with ongoing discussion about improving evaluation approaches.
- Soy is a high-quality plant protein. Across PDCAAS and DIAAS measures, most soy foods provide high-quality, complete protein, supporting their role in meeting protein needs within plant-forward dietary patterns.
By Brittany Raftis, MScFN, RD
What you need to know:
- Protein is increasingly ever-present in the food supply. Thus, it is more important than ever to help clients and patients interpret protein claims and distinguish marketing from meaningful nutrition.
- Front-of-pack protein claims may lack context. Labels with “added protein” claims may provide only modest amounts of protein or be of lower overall nutritional quality despite creating a health halo effect. While these claims can serve as a useful starting point, a meaningful protein contribution should also reflect protein quality to support overall nutritional value.
- Evaluating protein quality and dietary role is essential, including understanding PDCAAS-adjusted %DV and distinguishing functional protein foods from “protein-washed” products that add limited nutritional value.
