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
Recommended Citation
Berryman, C. E., Young, A. J., Karl, J. P., Kenefick, R. W., Margolis, L. M., Cole, R. E., Carbone, J. W., Lieberman, H. R., Kim, I., Ferrando, A. A., & Pasiako, S. M. (2018). Severe negative energy balance during 21 d at high altitude decreases fat‐free mass regardless of dietary protein intake: A randomized controlled trial. The FASEB Journal, 32(2), 894–905. https://doi.org/10.1096/fj.201700915R