Dietary protein intake is vital for the maintenance of skeletal muscle mass and health. The production of animal-based proteins sources is associated with growing environmental and ethical challenges. As such, sustainable alternatives are needed. Algae are sustainably produced high-protein sources and it is predicted that algae will become one of the most consumed proteins in the next decades. However, the effects of algae on the stimulation of muscle mass growth are unknown. Therefore, we aim to assess the rate of digestion and absorption, and the effects on muscle growth of two types of algae (spirulina and chlorella) when compared to a sustainable non-animal derived fungal reference protein (mycoprotein), a source known to elicit a robust anabolic response.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
BASIC_SCIENCE
Masking
TRIPLE
Enrollment
36
Bolus ingestion of 25g protein
University of Exeter
Exeter, Devon, United Kingdom
Muscle Protein Synthesis
The rate of synthesis of new muscle protein (Fractional Synthetic Rate %/h)
Time frame: 7.5 hours
Plasma Amino Acid Kinetics
The rate of appearance of amino acid ingested in the drink
Time frame: 7.5 hours
Serum Insulin
Basal and postprandial concentrations of serum insulin
Time frame: 7.5 hours
Blood Glucose
Basal and postprandial concentrations of blood glucose
Time frame: 7.5 hours
mTOR phosphorylation
The amount of mTOR that has been activated in the muscle cell
Time frame: 7.5 hours
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