Says You! 1 Gram of Protein Per Lb of Bodyweight Is More Than You Need

Muscle for Life with Mike Matthews

Is eating 1 gram of protein per pound of bodyweight per day more than necessary? Don’t some studies say eating any more than 0.8 grams per pound is pointless? Why do I often recommend eating 1 gram of protein per pound of bodyweight per day?

I’ve written and recorded a lot of evidence-based content over the years on just about everything you can imagine related to building muscle, losing fat, and getting healthy.

I’ve also worked with thousands of men and women of all ages and circumstances and helped them get into the best shape of their lives.

That doesn’t mean you should blindly swallow everything I say, though, because let’s face it—nobody is always right about everything. And especially in fields like diet and exercise, which are constantly evolving thanks to the efforts of honest and hardworking researchers and thought leaders.

This is why I’m always happy to hear from people who disagree with me, especially when they have good arguments and evidence to back up their assertions.

Sometimes I can’t get on board with their positions, but sometimes I end up learning something, and either way, I always appreciate the discussion.

That gave me the idea for this series of podcast episodes: publicly addressing things people disagree with me on and sharing my perspective.

Think of it like a spicier version of a Q&A.

So, here’s what I’m doing:

Every couple of weeks, I’m asking my Instagram followers what they disagree with me on, and then picking the more common or interesting contentions to address here on the podcast.

And in this episode, I’ll be tackling the following . . .

• “1 g of protein per pound of bodyweight per day is more than necessary.”

Timestamps:

0:00 - Find the Perfect Strength Training Program for You: www.muscleforlife.show/trainingquiz

2:16 - What is protein and why does it matter?

3:39 - How much protein is needed to effectively gain muscle?

5:27 - Why should we have that amount of protein and why does that amount change?

7:03 - Where did you come up with those numbers?

11:37 - How much protein should we consume for health and longevity?

Mentioned on the Show:

Find the Perfect Strength Training Program for You in Just 60 Seconds: www.muscleforlife.show/trainingquiz