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An increase in the intake of legumes is recommended in the promotion of plant-sourced (PSP) rather than animal-sourced (ASP) protein intake to produce a more sustainable diet. This study evaluated the quality of novel PSP isolates from pea (PEA) and fava bean (FAVA) and an ASP isolate of whey (WHEY) and compared the magnitude and temporal pattern of peripheral arterial aminoacidemia following ingestion of 0.33 g·kg -1 body mass of protein isolate in healthy young adult men (n = 9). Total indispensable amino acids (IAA) comprised 58% (WHEY), 46% (PEA), and 42% (FAVA) of the total amino acid (AA) composition, with the ingested protein providing 108% (WHEY), 77% (PEA), and 67% (FAVA) of the recommended per diem requirement of IAA. Reflecting the AA composition, the area under the curve (∆AUC 0-180 ), post-ingestion increase in total IAA for WHEY was 41% ( p < 0.001) and 57% ( p < 0.001) greater than PEA and FAVA, respectively, with PEA exceeding FAVA by 28% ( p = 0.003). As a sole-source, single-dose meal-size serving, the lower total IAA for PEA and FAVA would likely evoke a reduced post-prandial anabolic capacity compared to WHEY. Incorporated into a food matrix, the promotion of PSP isolates contributes to a more sustainable diet.

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effect of feeding fava bean ( Vicia faba L.) protein (FBP) on resting and post-exercise myofibrillar fractional synthetic rate (myoFSR). In a parallel, double-blind, randomised control trial, sixteen young, healthy recreationally active adults (age = 25 (5) years, body mass = 70 (15) kg, stature = 1.72 (0.11) m, mean (SD)) ingested 0.33 g·kg -1 FBP ( n = 8) or a negative control (CON, i.e., EAA-free mixture) ( n = 8), immediately after a bout of unilateral knee-extensor resistance exercise. Plasma, saliva, and m. vastus lateralis muscle samples were obtained pre-ingestion and 3 h post-ingestion. MyoFSR was calculated via deuterium labelling of myofibrillar-bound alanine, measured by gas chromatography-pyrolysis-isotope ratio mass spectrometry (GC-Pyr-IRMS). Resistance exercise increased myoFSR ( p = 0.012). However, ingestion of FBP did not evoke an increase in resting (FBP 29 [-5, 63] vs. CON 12 [-25, 49]%, p = 0.409, mean % change [95% CI]) or post-exercise (FBP 78 [33, 123]% vs. CON 58 [9, 107]%, p = 0.732) myoFSR. Ingestion of 0.33 g·kg -1 of FBP does not appear to enhance resting or post-exercise myoFSR in young, healthy, recreationally active adults.

The quality and nutritional value of dietary proteins are determined by the quantity, digestibility and bioavailability of essential amino acids (EAA), which play a critical role in human growth, longevity and metabolic health. Plant-source protein is often deficient in one or more EAAs (e.g., branched-chain amino acids, lysine, methionine and/or tryptophan) and, in its natural form, is less digestible than animal-source protein. Nevertheless, dietary intake of plant-source protein has been promoted because of its potential health benefits, lower cost of production and lower environmental impact compared to animal-source protein. Implementation of dietary strategies that improve both human and planetary health are of critical importance and subject to growing interest from researchers and consumers. Therefore, in this review we analyse current plant protein intake patterns and discuss possible countermeasures that can enhance plant protein nutrition, examples include: (1) combining different plant proteins with complementary EAA profiles; (2) identification and commercial cultivation of new and novel high-quality plant proteins; (3) industrial and domestic processing methods; and (4) genome-editing techniques.

Background: The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of whey protein supplementation on myofibrillar protein synthesis (myoPS) and muscle recovery over a 7-d period of intensified resistance training (RT)., Methods: In a double-blind randomised parallel group design, 16 resistance-trained men aged 18 to 35 years completed a 7-d RT protocol, consisting of three lower-body RT sessions on non-consecutive days. Participants consumed a controlled diet (146 kJ·kg -1 ·d -1 , 1.7 g·kg -1 ·d -1 protein) with either a whey protein supplement or an isonitrogenous control (0.33 g·kg -1 ·d -1 protein). To measure myoPS, 400 ml of deuterium oxide (D 2 O) (70 atom %) was ingested the day prior to starting the study and m. vastus lateralis biopsies were taken before and after RT-intervention. Myofibrillar fractional synthetic rate (myoFSR) was calculated via deuterium labelling of myofibrillar-bound alanine, measured by gas chromatography-pyrolysis-isotope ratio mass spectrometry (GC-Pyr-IRMS). Muscle recovery parameters (i.e., countermovement jump height, isometric-squat force, muscle soreness and serum creatine kinase) were assessed daily., Results: MyoFSR PRE was 1.6 (0.2) %∙d -1 (mean (SD)). Whey protein supplementation had no effect on myoFSR ( p = 0.771) or any recovery parameter ( p = 0.390-0.989)., Conclusions: Over an intense 7-d RT protocol, 0.33 g·kg -1 ·d -1 of supplemental whey protein does not enhance day-to-day measures of myoPS or postexercise recovery in resistance-trained men.

The aim of this study was to test the effects of two disparate isonitrogenous, isocaloric pre-exercise feeds on deuterium-oxide (D 2 O) derived measures of myofibrillar protein synthesis (myoPS) in humans. Methods: In a double-blind parallel group design, 22 resistance-trained men aged 18 to 35 years ingested a meal (6 kcal·kg -1 , 0.8 g·kg -1 carbohydrate, 0.2 g·kg -1 fat) with 0.33 g·kg -1 nonessential amino acids blend (NEAA) or whey protein (WHEY), prior to resistance exercise (70% 1RM back-squats, 10 reps per set to failure, 25% duty cycle). Biopsies of M. vastus lateralis were obtained pre-ingestion (PRE) and +3 h post-exercise (POST). The myofibrillar fractional synthetic rate (myoFSR) was calculated via deuterium labelling of myofibrillar-bound alanine, measured by gas chromatography-pyrolysis-isotope ratio mass spectrometry (GC-Pyr-IRMS). Data are a mean percentage change (95% CI). Results: There was no discernable change in myoFSR following NEAA (10(-5, 25) %, p = 0.235), whereas an increase in myoFSR was observed after WHEY (28 (13, 43) %, p = 0.003). Conclusions: Measured by a D 2 O tracer technique, a disparate myoPS response was observed between NEAA and WHEY. Pre-exercise ingestion of whey protein increased post-exercise myoPS, whereas a NEAA blend did not, supporting the use of NEAA as a viable isonitrogenous negative control.

Whey protein (WP) is a widely consumed nutritional supplement, known to enhance strength and muscle mass during resistance training (RT) regimens. Muscle protein anabolism is acutely elevated following RT, which is further enhanced by WP. As a result, there is reason to suggest that WP supplementation may be an effective nutritional strategy for restoring the acute loss of contractile function that occurs following strenuous RT. This systematic review and meta-analysis provides a synthesis of the literature to date, investigating the effect of WP supplementation on the recovery of contractile function in young, healthy adults. Eight studies, containing 13 randomised control trials (RCTs) were included in this review and meta-analysis, from which individual standardised effect sizes (ESs) were calculated, and a temporal overall ES was determined using a random-effects model. Whilst only half of the individual studies reported beneficial effects for WP, the high-quality evidence taken from the 13 RCTs was meta-analysed, yielding overall positive small to medium effects for WP from < 24 to 96 h (ES range = 0.4 to 0.7), for the temporal restoration of contractile function compared to the control treatment. Whilst the effects for WP were shown to be consistent over time, these results are limited to 13 RCTs, principally supporting the requirement for further comprehensive research in this area.