Abstract
Background: Branched chain amino acids (BCAA) supplementation is reported to aid in lean mass preservation, which may in turn minimize the reduction in resting metabolic rate (RMR) during weight loss. Our study aimed to examine the effect of BCAA supplementation to a hypocaloric diet on RMR and substrate utilization during a weight loss intervention. Methods: A total of 111 Chinese subjects comprising 55 males and 56 females aged 21 to 45 years old with BMI between 25 and 36 kg/m2 were randomized into three hypocaloric diet groups: (1) standard-protein (14%) with placebo (CT), (2) standard-protein with BCAA, and (3) high-protein (27%) with placebo. Indirect calorimetry was used to measure RMR, carbohydrate, and fat oxidation before and after 16 weeks of dietary intervention. Results: RMR was reduced from 1600 ± 270 kcal/day to 1500 ± 264 kcal/day (p < 0.0005) after weight loss, but no significant differences in the change of RMR, respiratory quotient, and percentage of fat and carbohydrate oxidation were observed among the three diet groups. Subjects with BCAA supplementation had an increased postprandial fat (p = 0.021) and decreased postprandial carbohydrate (p = 0.044) oxidation responses compared to the CT group after dietary intervention. Conclusions: BCAA-supplemented standard-protein diet did not significantly attenuate reduction of RMR compared to standard-protein and high-protein diets. However, the postprandial fat oxidation response increased after BCAA-supplemented weight loss intervention.
Highlights
Resting metabolic rate (RMR) and substrate utilization are crucial in maintaining energy balance, which underlies the regulation of body weight [1].resting metabolic rate (RMR), termed as resting energy expenditure (REE), is defined as the energy required by the body when in resting condition without any physical activity [2]
The trial aimed to examine the effect of Branched chain amino acids (BCAA) supplementation on changes in primary outcomes including lean and fat mass, and changes in secondary outcomes including insulin sensitivity, RMR, and diet-induced thermogenesis (DIT)
There were no significant differences in the baseline characteristics for gender, age, weight, BMI, waist circumference, percent body fat, fat and lean mass, blood pressure, RMR, fat oxidation, carbohydrate oxidation, respiratory quotient (RQ), lipid profile and parameters of glucose homeostasis among the three diet groups (Table S1)
Summary
Resting metabolic rate (RMR) and substrate utilization are crucial in maintaining energy balance, which underlies the regulation of body weight [1].RMR, termed as resting energy expenditure (REE), is defined as the energy required by the body when in resting condition without any physical activity [2]. An increase in lean mass is correlated with a higher RMR [5,7] It is well-established that energy expenditure, including RMR decreases after weight loss [8,9]. Branched chain amino acids (BCAA) supplementation is reported to aid in lean mass preservation, which may in turn minimize the reduction in resting metabolic rate (RMR) during weight loss. Results: RMR was reduced from 1600 ± 270 kcal/day to 1500 ± 264 kcal/day (p < 0.0005) after weight loss, but no significant differences in the change of RMR, respiratory quotient, and percentage of fat and carbohydrate oxidation were observed among the three diet groups. Subjects with BCAA supplementation had an increased postprandial fat (p = 0.021) and decreased postprandial carbohydrate (p = 0.044) oxidation responses compared to the CT group after dietary intervention. The postprandial fat oxidation response increased after BCAA-supplemented weight loss intervention
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