Dr.GutHealth 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:
| Baseline | Month 6 | Month 12 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total mass | 257 lbs | 232 lbs | 194 lbs |
| Fat mass | 97 lbs | 77 lbs | 44 lbs |
| Lean mass | 150 lbs | 152 lbs | 151 lbs |
| Body fat % | 42% | 32% | 23% |
Lean mass preserved — actually GAINED 1-2 lbs thanks to progressive overload + 1.6g/kg protein. The protein intake discussion needs to include body comp data, not just scale weight.