Defining Beef and Meal Frequency as Key Components of a Healthy Eating Pattern for Muscle Health and Wellbeing

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign40 enrolled

Overview

Adopting a healthy eating pattern is important for meeting dietary recommendations and weight management. Although less clear, it seems reasonable to assume that the eating patterns we typically follow can also affect our psychological wellbeing. As such, healthy eating patterns are often adapted to suit one's personal preference. For example, many people choose to follow a vegetarian-style eating pattern whereby meat, poultry, and seafood are excluded from the diet. However, current research suggests that vegetarian eating patterns may result in decreased synthesis of new muscle proteins when compared to the typical meat-based US-style diet. This ultimately leads to reduced muscle quality and mass which increases the risk of dependence and mobility limitations later in life. Another important factor to consider when adapting a healthy eating pattern is the frequency and distribution of meals throughout the day. In the US, protein intake is typically skewed throughout the day such that people consume more protein at dinner when compared to breakfast. This skewed distribution combined with a low meal frequency (3 meals per day) can also sacrifice the rate of muscle protein synthesis. As such, it is important to investigate the interaction between food choices, meal frequency, and protein distribution to promote muscle health and prevent development of disease and disability. In addition, it is also important to understand how these eating patterns affect enjoyment and pleasure following meals. This work will help to determine healthy eating patterns that promote muscle health and psychological wellbeing.

Study Type

INTERVENTIONAL

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Purpose

TREATMENT

Masking

NONE

Enrollment

Conditions

Interventions

Animal-based Protein FoodsBEHAVIORAL

Participants will consume animal-based protein foods.

Skewed Protein DistributionBEHAVIORAL

Participants will consume 3 meals per day consisting of 10-, 30-, 60% of dietary protein for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, respectively.

Plant-based Protein FoodsBEHAVIORAL

Participants will consume plant-based protein foods.

Balanced Protein DistributionBEHAVIORAL

Participants will consume 5 meals per day consisting of 20% of dietary protein per meal.

Eligibility

Sex: ALLMin age: 20 YearsMax age: 40 YearsHealthy volunteers:

Medical Language ↔ Plain English

Inclusion Criteria: * Age 20-40 * Pre-menopausal * Recreationally active * Weight stable for prior 6 months * Consumption of meat-based diet for \>6 months Exclusion Criteria: * Age outside of range (20 - 40) * Pregnancy * Irregular menstrual cycles * Participation in previous research using 2H2O or \[13C6\]phenylalanine * Participation in other ongoing research that interferes with this study (e.g., conflicting diet, activity interventions, etc.) * Any hospitalization or surgery for a metabolic, cardiovascular, or neuromusculoskeletal complication within the past year * Allergy or hypersensitivity to local anesthetics, latex, or adhesives (bandages, medical tape, etc.) * Excess scarring after injury * History of excess bleeding after cut * Chronic or frequent dizziness/fainting, and arm or leg weakness/numbness * Arthritis * Tumors * Mental Illness * Hepatorenal, cardiovascular musculoskeletal, autoimmune, or neurological disease or disorder * Predisposition to hypertrophic scarring or keloid formation * Physical activity limitations * Consumption of ergogenic-levels of dietary supplements that may affect muscle mass (e.g., creatine, HMB), insulin-like substances, or anabolic/catabolic pro-hormones (e.g., DHEA) within 6 weeks prior to participation * Consumption of thyroid, androgenic, or other medications known to affect endocrine function * Consumption of medications known to affect protein metabolism (e.g., prescription-strength corticosteroids, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatories, or acne medication) * Unwillingness to comply with study procedures * Weight unstable (variation \>5% of bodyweight in last 6-12 months) * Pregnancy * Allergy to dairy product or lactose intolerance * Current or previous tobacco use with last 6 months * Obesity (body mass index; BMI \> 30 kg m-2) * Score of less than 14 or greater than 24 on Godin-Shephard Leisure-Time Physical Activity Questionnaire

Outcomes

Primary Outcomes

Compare fractional synthesis rate of myofibrillar proteins to different dietary protein food sources and meal frequencies

Rate of building new protein in skeletal muscle contractile protein

Time frame: Day 1 - Day 9

Secondary Outcomes

Valence (Pleasantness or Unpleasantness)

Measurement of feelings of un/pleasantness via survey responses to a measure of valence (Feeling Scale)

Time frame: Immediately prior to workout, immediately post workout, and immediately post meal on habituation days 2, 4, and 6 and intervention days 3, 5, and 7

Arousal (Alertness)

Measurement of feelings of alertness to via survey responses to a measure of arousal (Felt Arousal Scale)

Time frame: Immediately prior to workout, immediately post workout, and immediately post meal on habituation days 2, 4, and 6 and intervention days 3, 5, and 7

Arousal (Alertness)

Measurement of feelings of alertness to via survey responses to a measure of arousal (Activation-Deactivation Adjective Check List).

Time frame: Immediately prior to workout, immediately post workout, and immediately post meal on habituation days 2, 4, and 6 and intervention days 3, 5, and 7

Defining Beef and Meal Frequency as Key Components of a Healthy Eating Pattern for Muscle Health and Wellbeing

Overview

Conditions

Interventions

Eligibility

Locations (1)

Outcomes

Primary Outcomes

Secondary Outcomes