10.1096/fj.201700915R">
 

Severe negative energy balance during 21 d at high altitude decreases fat-free mass regardless of dietary protein intake: A randomized controlled trial

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

2018

Department/School

Health Sciences

Publication Title

FASEB Journal

Abstract

In this 2-phase randomized controlled study, we examined whether consuming a higher-protein (HP) diet would attenuate fat-free mass (FFM) loss during energy deficit (ED) at high altitude (HA) in 17 healthy males (mean ± SD: 23 ± 6 yr; 82 ± 14 kg). During phase 1 at sea level (SL, 55 m), participants consumed a eucaloric diet providing standard protein (SP; 1.0 g protein/kg,) for 21 d. During phase 2, participants resided at HA (4300 m) for 22d andwere randomly assigned to either an SP or HP (2.0 g protein/kg) diet designed to elicit a 40% ED. Body composition, substrate oxidation, and postabsorptive whole-body protein kinetics were measured. Participants were weight stable during SL and lost 7.9 ± 1.9 kg (P<0.01) during HA, regardless of dietary protein in take. Decrements in whole body FFM (3.662.4 kg) and fat mass (3.661.3 kg) were not different between SP and HP. HP oxidized 0.95 ± 0.32 g protein/kg per day more than SP and whole-body net protein balance was more negative for HP than for SP (P<0.01). Based on changes in body energy stores, the overall ED was 70% (-1849 ± 511 kcal/d, no group differences). Consuming an HP diet did not protect FFM during severe ED at HA.

Link to Published Version

10.1096/fj.201700915R

Share

COinS