NCT03816579

A Meal-based Comparison of Protein Quality, Complementary Proteins and Muscle Anabolism

• Status: Completed
• Phase: N/A
• Study type: Interventional
• Enrollment: 23 (actual)
• Sponsor: The University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston · Academic / Other
• Sex: All
• Age: 45 Years – 60 Years
• Healthy volunteers: Accepted

Summary

To highlight the importance of protein quality rather than the total protein content of a meal, the investigators will demonstrate that unlike high quality proteins, a single meal containing 30 g of an incomplete protein source does not stimulate skeletal muscle protein synthesis. Secondly, the investigators will directly challenge a prevalent, but untested, assertion that has the potential to negatively impact health. The goal is to demonstrate that complementary plant-proteins (i.e., two or more incomplete protein sources) must be consumed at the same meal to stimulate protein synthesis.

Detailed description

The investigators will test the following hypotheses in middle-aged men and women (45-60) years old using a randomized, cross over design. All study objectives will be met concurrently: 1. Meals containing 30 g of high quality, predominantly beef-protein (PRO-A) will stimulate acute (i.e., single meal response) and 24 h skeletal muscle protein synthesis \[confirmatory hypothesis\] 2. Meals containing 30 g of complementary plant-based proteins (PRO-B: complete essential amino acid profile at each meal) will stimulate acute and 24 h skeletal muscle protein synthesis, but to a lesser extent than beef-protein. 3. A single meal containing 30 g of an incomplete plant-based protein source (PRO-C: lacking one essential amino acid) will fail to acutely stimulate skeletal muscle protein synthesis 4. Meals containing 30 g of plant-based protein that are incomplete at each separate meal, but complementary over a 24 h period, will fail to stimulate 24 h skeletal muscle protein synthesis. 5. Beef-and plant-based meals will have a similar effect on satiety and 24 h blood glucose \[descriptive\] If these hypotheses are correct, the investigators will demonstrate that meals containing a moderate amount of high quality protein, such as beef, are an efficient and effective way to augment a largely plant based diet and stimulate skeletal muscle protein synthesis - a prerequisite for outcomes related to physical function, performance, successful aging and metabolic health.

Conditions

• Protein
• Diet
• Skeletal Muscle

Interventions

Type	Name	Description
OTHER	PRO-A	30 g of beef protein will be consumed at each meal
OTHER	PRO-B	30 g of complementary proteins will be consumed at each meal
OTHER	PRO-C	30 g of complementary proteins will be consumed over 24 hours

Timeline

• Start date: 2019-03-26
• Primary completion: 2021-01-21
• Completion: 2021-01-21
• First posted: 2019-01-25
• Last updated: 2021-04-29

Locations

1 site across 1 country: United States