Abstract
The aim of this investigation was to determine the better protein for supporting optimal linear growth, as the exact composition and benefits of specific dietary proteins in supporting linear growth is unknown. In the current study, we compared the effect of soy and whey proteins, both proteins contain all essential amino acids and are considered the best proteins in their categories. Young male rats were subjected to multiple feeding protocols using iso-energetic diets containing soy or whey as the sole protein source. The rats were allowed to eat ad libitum for 11, 24, or 74 days in the first set of experiments, and the soy group was pair-fed to the whey group in the second set. The differences in weight gain, food consumption, and humeri length of the soy group that were greater at the beginning of the ad libitum experiments lessened over time. Pair-fed experiments revealed that the increased weight and humeri length resulted from the differences in food consumption. However, other parameters were protein specific. Bone quality, which was better in the soy group at 24 days, was matched by the whey group and even surpassed that of the soy group in the long-term experiment, with a significantly greater bone mineral density, cortical thickness, and growth plate. Although in the short term the levels of insulin like growth factor (IGF)-I were similar between the groups, IGF-I increased with age in the whey group, and the levels at the long-term experiment were significantly higher compared to the soy group. Furthermore, using the pair fed setup made it clear that when the difference in food consumption were no longer playing part, whey was more efficient in increasing IGF-I. There were no indications of metabolic sequelae. Although the use of soy is gaining in popularity as a sustainable protein, our findings indicate a better effect of whey on linear growth by leading to slower growth with better-organized epiphyseal growth plates and bone quality.
Highlights
Linear growth is a result of a complex system of interactions between genetics, epigenetics, and environmental factors
The humeri of the soy-fed rats were significantly longer in both experiments (Figure 1C), the epiphyseal growth plate (EGP) height was greater in sections taken from the whey-fed animals (p < 0.05; Figures 1D,E)
While the humerus length at the end of the experiment was not significantly different between groups (Figure 2B), the height of the EGP was significantly greater in the whey group compared to the soy group (p < 0.05; Figures 2C,D)
Summary
Linear growth is a result of a complex system of interactions between genetics, epigenetics, and environmental factors (especially stress and nutrition). A study designed to explore the main correlates of male height in 105 countries (Europe & overseas, Asia, North Africa, and Oceania) with an average consumption of 28 protein sources and seven socioeconomic indicators concluded that nutrition and genetics are the strongest correlates of adult height [3]. Intake of protein from milk products (dairy proteins), followed by total protein and animal protein (meat and eggs) consumption emerged as the most significant nutritional correlates of stature in most countries examined [3]. The results of that study indicated that plant-based diets are not able to provide the optimal stimuli for physical growth, even if the intake of total protein and total energy are adequate. A difference of 10 cm in average male height (174 vs. 184 cm) was identified between nations relying upon the surplus of plant and animal proteins, respectively, pointing to the importance of protein quality [3]
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