Protein quality and the food matrix: defining optimal versus maximal meal-based protein intakes for stimulating muscle protein synthesis

Abstract

This paper examines the opinion that we should aim to optimize, rather than maximize, protein intakes to avoid over-emphasizing muscle-centric protein requirements. An optimal eating approach strives to minimize amino acid oxidative waste and more efficiently stimulate postprandial muscle protein accretion. To do this, practitioners should acknowledge higher quality protein foods as better in delivering target amounts of amino acids into circulation, and the food matrix (e.g., nutrient– nutrient interactions) can be leveraged to potentiate essential amino acid incorporation into skeletal muscle protein.