Is there a maximal anabolic response to protein intake with a meal?
Open accessAbstract
Several recent publications indicate that the maximum stimulation of muscle protein fractional synthetic rate occurs with intake of 20-30 g protein. This finding has led to the concept that there is a maximal anabolic response to protein intake with a meal, and that the normal amount of protein eaten with dinner will generally exceed the maximally-effective intake of protein. However, protein breakdown has not been taken into account when evaluating the anabolic response to protein intake. Protein anabolism occurs only when protein synthesis exceeds protein breakdown. Higher protein intakes when protein synthesis is maximized is characterized by suppressed protein breakdown and via that mechanism leads to a greater anabolic response. This explains why when net protein synthesis is measured, the relationship between amino acid availability and net gain remains linear, without any apparent plateau of effect at higher levels of availability. We conclude that there is no practical upper limit to the anabolic response to protein or amino acid intake in the context of a meal.
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This evidence suggests benefits to even distribution of protein at breakfast, lunch, and supper; recent studies also show anabolic benefits from pulse feeding.
“This evidence suggests benefits to even distribution of protein at breakfast, lunch, and supper; however, recent studies have also shown anabolic benefits from pulse feeding (ie, a main highprotein meal, usually at midday).56,57”
From Evidence-Based Recommendations for Optimal Dietary Protein Intake in Older People: A Position Paper From the PROT-AGE Study Group (2013) · cites this paper as [57]
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References 23 · Cited by 144
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- Authors
- Deutz, N. E., & Wolfe, R. R.
- Affiliations
- Texas A&M University (US)
- University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (US)
- Corresponding author
- Deutz, Nicolaas E.
- Venue
- Clinical Nutrition
- Publisher
- Elsevier BV
- Published
- 2013-04
- Volume
- 32
- Issue
- 2
- Pages
- 309-313
- ISSN
- 0261-5614 (ISSN-L)
- PMC
- PMC3595342
- OpenAlex
- W2048547574
- Cited by
- 144
- References
- 23
- Citations by year
- 2026: 4 · 2025: 4 · 2024: 8 · 2023: 2 · 2022: 7 · 2021: 14 · 2020: 15 · 2019: 15 · 2018: 17 · 2017: 11 · 2016: 14 · 2015: 12 · 2014: 15 · 2013: 6
- FWCI
- 4.66
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- green
- europepmc.org
- Locations
- Clinical Nutrition (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Europe PMC (PubMed Central) (acceptedVersion)
- PubMed Central (acceptedVersion)
- Funders
- National Institutes of Health
- National Institute on Aging (P30AG028718, P30AG028717)
- National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (R01HL095903)
- National Institute of General Medical Sciences (R01GM084447)
- Topics
- Life Sciences › Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology › Cell Biology › Muscle metabolism and nutrition
- Health Sciences › Nursing › Nutrition and Dietetics › Clinical Nutrition and Gastroenterology
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Physiology › Nutrition and Health in Aging
- Keywords
- protein intake, muscle protein synthesis, protein degradation, net protein balance, amino acid availability, protein synthesis rate
- MeSH terms
- Amino Acids, Dietary Proteins, Humans, Insulin, Muscle Proteins, Protein Biosynthesis, Muscle, Skeletal, Anabolic Agents, Meals
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