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Whole-body protein turnover response to short-term high-protein diets during weight loss: a randomized controlled trial

International Journal of Obesity volume 38, pages 1015–1018 (2014)Cite this article

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Abstract

To determine whole-body protein turnover responses to high-protein diets during weight loss, 39 adults (age, 21±1 years; VO2peak, 48±1 ml kg−1 min−1; body mass index, 25±1 kg m2) were randomized to diets providing protein at the recommend dietary allowance (RDA), 2 × -RDA or 3 × -RDA. A 10-day weight maintenance period preceded a 21-day, 40% energy deficit. Postabsorptive (FASTED) and postprandial (FED) whole-body protein turnover was determined during weight maintenance (day 10) and energy deficit (day 31) using [1-13C]leucine. FASTED flux, synthesis and breakdown were lower (P<0.05) for energy deficit than weight maintenance. Protein flux and synthesis were higher (P<0.05) for FED than FASTED. Feeding attenuated (P<0.05) breakdown during weight maintenance but not energy deficit. Oxidation increased (P<0.05) between dietary protein levels and feeding stimulated oxidation, although oxidative responses to feeding were higher (P<0.05) for energy deficit than weight maintenance. FASTED net balance decreased between dietary protein levels, but in the FED state, net balance was lower for 3 × -RDA as compared with RDA and 2 × -RDA (diet-by-state, P<0.05). Consuming dietary protein at levels above the RDA, particularly 3 × -RDA, during short-term weight loss increases protein oxidation with concomitant reductions in net protein balance.

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Acknowledgements

This work was supported by the US Army Medical Research and Material Command and the US Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service, under agreement no. 58-1950-7707.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Military Nutrition Division, US Army Research Institute of Environmental Medicine, Natick, MA, USA

    S M Pasiakos, L M Margolis, J P McClung & A J Young

  2. US Department of Agriculture, Grand Forks Human Nutrition Research Center, Agricultural Research Service, Grand Forks, ND, USA

    J J Cao, L D Whigham & G F Combs

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  1. S M Pasiakos
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  2. L M Margolis
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  3. J P McClung
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  4. J J Cao
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  5. L D Whigham
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  7. A J Young
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Correspondence to S M Pasiakos.

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The investigators adhered to the policies for protection of human subjects as prescribed in Army Regulation 70-25, and the research was conducted in adherence with the provisions of 32 CFR part 219. The opinions or assertions contained herein are the private views of the authors and are not to be construed as official or as reflecting the views of the Army or the Department of Defense. Any citations of commercial organizations and trade names in this report do not constitute an official Department of the Army endorsement of approval of the products or services of these organizations. Any opinions, findings, conclusion or recommendations expressed in this publication are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the view of the US Department of Agriculture.

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Pasiakos, S., Margolis, L., McClung, J. et al. Whole-body protein turnover response to short-term high-protein diets during weight loss: a randomized controlled trial. Int J Obes 38, 1015–1018 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1038/ijo.2013.197

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/ijo.2013.197

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