Abstract
Skeletal muscle is critical for human health. Protein feeding, alongside resistance exercise, is a potent stimulus for muscle protein synthesis (MPS) and is a key factor that regulates skeletal muscle mass (SMM). The main purpose of this narrative review was to evaluate the latest evidence for optimising the amino acid or protein source, dose, timing, pattern and macronutrient coingestion for increasing or preserving SMM in healthy young and healthy older adults. We used a systematic search strategy of PubMed and Web of Science to retrieve all articles related to this review objective. In summary, our findings support the notion that protein guidelines for increasing or preserving SMM are more complex than simply recommending a total daily amount of protein. Instead, multifactorial interactions between protein source, dose, timing, pattern and macronutrient coingestion, alongside exercise, influence the stimulation of MPS, and thus should be considered in the context of protein recommendations for regulating SMM. To conclude, on the basis of currently available scientific literature, protein recommendations for optimising SMM should be tailored to the population or context of interest, with consideration given to age and resting/post resistance exercise conditions.
Highlights
Skeletal muscle is crucial for metabolic health and sport performance
Protein guidelines for increasing or preserving skeletal muscle mass (SMM) are more complex than recommending a total daily amount of protein
We have identified several factors involved in protein nutrition, including the source, dose, timing, pattern and coingestion of other nutrients that independently, concurrently and additively influence muscle protein synthesis (MPS) under resting and post-exercise conditions
Summary
Skeletal muscle is crucial for metabolic health and sport performance. Beyond the positive relationship between skeletal muscle mass (SMM), strength and athletic performance, skeletal muscle plays an important, and often underappreciated, role in reducing risk of diseases such as obesity, cardiovascular disease, insulin resistance, diabetes and osteoporosis [1]. Strategies to preserve or increase SMM are vitally important for both clinical and athletic populations. This plasticity allows for adaptation, including an increase in SMM. Skeletal muscle proteins are continuously being remodelled through the simultaneous processes of muscle protein synthesis (MPS) and muscle protein breakdown (MPB)
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