Ingestion of a bolus of free amino acids is followed by more rapid amino acid absorption and greater postprandial plasma amino acid availability when compared to the ingestion of an equivalent amount of intact protein

Abstract

Rationale: The rate of protein digestion and amino acid absorption determines the postprandial rise in circulating amino acids and modulates postprandial muscle protein synthesis rates. This study compares protein digestion and amino acid absorption kinetics and the subsequent muscle protein synthetic response following ingestion of intact protein versus the equivalent amount of free crystalline amino acids.