Discover my premium podcast, The Aliquot Download my "How to Train According to the Experts" guide Protein is far more than a building block for muscle—it's essential for metabolic health, insulin sensitivity, and preventing conditions like type 2 diabetes and sarcopenia. But how much do we truly need? And could too much protein, especially from meat, actually be harmful? This episode challenges the conventional RDA of 0.8 g/kg, presenting research that supports higher intakes of 1.2–2 g/kg for maintaining muscle, improving body composition, and promoting longevity. We also confront myths around protein timing and the so-called "anabolic window." Lastly, we address concerns about protein's links to cancer, heart disease, and kidney function, showing how exercise can redirect growth factors like IGF-1 to promote repair while mitigating risks. Timestamps: (00:00) Download my "How to Train" guide (00:51) Introduction (03:32) Why muscle matters (05:57) Why do we lose muscle? (07:31) How to negate anabolic resistance (08:24) Why it's never too late to build muscle (09:05) Requirements for overweight & obese individuals (09:52) Exposing the flaws of the RDA (11:12) Optimal intake when resistance training (11:55) What to do when losing weight (13:08) Does protein harm healthy kidneys? (14:59) How important is distribution? (17:11) Debunking the "anabolic window" (18:48) Benefits of pre-sleep intake (20:20) Timing & distribution takeaways (21:01) What are the best sources? (24:05) Animal vs. plant protein (26:27) Protein supplements (whey, casein, & collagen) (27:57) Does high intake accelerate aging? (31:32) Why exercise changes the story (34:02) What we can learn from athletes (34:36) Does high intake accelerate atherosclerosis? (36:51) 8 key takeaways Show notes and transcript are available by clicking here Watch this episode on YouTube