A Meal-based Comparison of Protein Quality, Complementary Proteins and Muscle Anabolism — MAPP  

Diet Clinical Trial

Official title: A Meal-based Comparison of Protein Quality, Complementary Proteins and Muscle Anabolism

Status Completed

Clinical Trial Summary

To highlight the importance of protein quality rather than the total protein content of a meal, the investigators will demonstrate that unlike high quality proteins, a single meal containing 30 g of an incomplete protein source does not stimulate skeletal muscle protein synthesis. Secondly, the investigators will directly challenge a prevalent, but untested, assertion that has the potential to negatively impact health. The goal is to demonstrate that complementary plant-proteins (i.e., two or more incomplete protein sources) must be consumed at the same meal to stimulate protein synthesis.

Clinical Trial Description

The investigators will test the following hypotheses in middle-aged men and women (45-60) years old using a randomized, cross over design. All study objectives will be met concurrently:

1. Meals containing 30 g of high quality, predominantly beef-protein (PRO-A) will stimulate acute (i.e., single meal response) and 24 h skeletal muscle protein synthesis [confirmatory hypothesis]

2. Meals containing 30 g of complementary plant-based proteins (PRO-B: complete essential amino acid profile at each meal) will stimulate acute and 24 h skeletal muscle protein synthesis, but to a lesser extent than beef-protein.

3. A single meal containing 30 g of an incomplete plant-based protein source (PRO-C:

lacking one essential amino acid) will fail to acutely stimulate skeletal muscle protein synthesis

4. Meals containing 30 g of plant-based protein that are incomplete at each separate meal, but complementary over a 24 h period, will fail to stimulate 24 h skeletal muscle protein synthesis.

5. Beef-and plant-based meals will have a similar effect on satiety and 24 h blood glucose [descriptive]

If these hypotheses are correct, the investigators will demonstrate that meals containing a moderate amount of high quality protein, such as beef, are an efficient and effective way to augment a largely plant based diet and stimulate skeletal muscle protein synthesis - a prerequisite for outcomes related to physical function, performance, successful aging and metabolic health. ;

Related Conditions & MeSH terms

• Diet
• Protein
• Skeletal Muscle

• NCT number: NCT03816579
• Study type: Interventional
• Source: The University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston
• Status: Completed
• Phase: N/A
• Start date: March 26, 2019
• Completion date: January 21, 2021