quinn_sf said:

The RDA is the wrong reference and it is worth understanding why.

DEXA scan update relevant to protein intake:

Scanned at months 0, 6, and 12. Here are the body comp numbers:

Lean mass preserved — actually GAINED 1-2 lbs thanks to progressive overload + 1.5g/kg protein. The protein intake discussion needs to include body comp data, not just scale weight.

Following on from anna.melb_AU — and this may be the naive question:

Whether the RDA is the wrong reference entirely during rapid weight loss, and what the actual target should be?

raj_cambridge said:

DEXA scan update relevant to protein intake: Scanned at months 0, 6, and 12.

There is a second half to this that has not been said yet. The mechanism and the magnitude are separate questions. Agreeing that something happens says nothing about whether it happens enough to act on.

Reporting back.

Update: two thirds of the target before midday. Same total, same appetite, and I am hitting it most days now.

Dr.PainCLE said:

The mechanism and the magnitude are separate questions.

True, and anyone with reduced kidney function needs that target set by a clinician rather than a forum. High protein is safe in normal kidneys and is not automatically safe in impaired ones.