Animal Protein and Elderly Men

A Japanese study published in the February 27, 2014 edition of the Journal of the American Geriatric Society followed 1,007 Japanese people, average age 67 years for 7 years. They had no functional problems at the beginning of the study. After 7 years they found that men who consumed the most animal protein had a lower risk of mental decline than men who consumed mainly plant protein or less protein. This was not found in women. It is hard to say why. Did the men who consumed more meat have a higher standard of living? more education? better socio-economic status? or was it truly the animal protein. Was the animal protein mainly fish? Meat? Many questions. Another study recently pointed out that increased protein consumption is good for the elderly and not so good for the middle-aged, especially animal protein.