A new study published in eLife delves into the paradox surrounding high-protein diets and their effects on health, particularly in relation to resistance exercise.
While high protein intake is often associated with muscle growth and strength, especially when combined with exercise, it can also increase the risk of heart disease, diabetes, and death in sedentary individuals.
The Study: Exploring the Effects of High-Protein Diets and Resistance Training
Lead author Michaela Trautman, from the University of Wisconsin, US, and her team conducted a study using mice to investigate if exercise could counteract the negative effects of a high-protein diet.
The study involved two groups of mice, one fed a low-protein diet (7% of calories from protein) and another a high-protein diet (36% of calories from protein).
The mice underwent a three-month progressive resistance-based strength training program, where they pulled a cart with increasing weight, or an identical cart with no load as a control.
Findings: Resistance Exercise Mitigates the Negative Impact of High-Protein Diets
The study found that:
Sedentary Mice on High-Protein Diet: These mice gained excess fat compared to those on a low-protein diet.
Active Mice on High-Protein Diet: Mice pulling the increasing weight and on a high-protein diet experienced muscle growth and were protected from fat gain, although blood sugar control was not improved.
Strength Gains: Mice on high-protein diets gained strength more quickly, but by the end of the study, there was no difference in the maximum weight pulled compared to low-protein diet mice, despite larger muscle size.
Implications for Humans: A Call for Caution and Further Research
The study suggests that resistance exercise might protect against fat gain induced by high-protein diets. However, it does not prevent the effects of high protein on blood sugar control.
The research provides insights into why athletes on high-protein diets are metabolically healthy, offering a potential solution for sedentary individuals consuming high-protein diets or supplements.
Conclusion: Resistance Training as a Potential Solution
Senior author Dudley Lamming highlights that the research could explain why many individuals on high-protein diets, who are not metabolically unhealthy, could be benefiting from concurrent resistance exercise.
The study opens the door for further exploration into how combining diet and exercise regimes can optimize metabolic health, particularly for those leading sedentary lifestyles but consuming high-protein diets.
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The research findings can be found in eLife.
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