
09/13/2025
For women over 40, protein intake plays a crucial role in maintaining overall health, hormone balance, and cognitive function. Studies suggest that 1.2 to 2.0 grams of protein per kilogram of body weight is essential for women in this age group to support bone health, muscle maintenance, and help prevent cognitive decline a critical factor since women make up 2/3 of Alzheimer’s cases, with estrogen decline being a major contributor. For a 150-pound woman (roughly 68 kg), this translates to 82-136 grams of protein per day.
As women age, they experience sarcopenia an accelerated muscle loss condition which can be countered with higher protein intake. When combined with resistance training, this helps support muscle protein synthesis, crucial for maintaining muscle mass. Additionally, lower estrogen levels during perimenopause and menopause increase the risk of osteoporosis, making protein essential for bone health. In fact, protein, especially when combined with calcium and vitamin D, can help preserve muscle bone density.
Furthermore, protein’s amino acids are key to producing hormones and neurotransmitters such as serotonin and dopamine, which help stabilize mood and prevent issues like mood swings, anxiety, and weight gain. Protein also helps regulate blood sugar, reducing cravings and preventing insulin resistance, which is a significant risk factor for Type II diabetes, cardiovascular disease, PCOS, and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. For menopausal women, adequate protein intake can even prevent cognitive decline, supporting brain function and improving mood.