Researchers have discovered that progressive resistance strength training can counteract the negative effects of a high-protein diet, according to a study conducted on mice. The research findings highlight the importance of incorporating resistance training into high-protein diets, especially for sedentary individuals.
The study, recently published in the journal eLife, delved into the relationship between a high-protein diet, resistance exercise, fat accumulation, and glucose homeostasis. The editors of the journal deemed the findings valuable and relevant to dietitians and others interested in understanding the connections between dietary protein, diabetes, and exercise.
Dietary protein is known to provide essential nutrients that regulate various processes in the body and can impact health and lifespan. It is generally believed that protein consumption promotes muscle growth and strength, particularly in combination with exercise. However, excessive protein intake in individuals with a sedentary lifestyle can increase the risk of heart disease, diabetes, and premature death.
Lead author Michaela Trautman, a Research Assistant at the Department of Medicine, School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Wisconsin, explains the paradox: “If high dietary protein is so harmful, many people with high-protein diets or protein supplements would be overweight and at an increased risk of diabetes, whereas athletes with high-protein diets are among the most metabolically healthy.”
To investigate whether exercise can mitigate the detrimental effects of a high-protein diet, the researchers implemented a progressive resistance-based strength training program in mice. The mice were trained to pull a cart loaded with increasing weight three times a week for three months, while another group of mice pulled an empty cart during the same period.
The mice were divided into two groups for their diet: one consumed a low-protein diet (7% of calories from protein), while the other consumed a high-protein diet (36% of calories from protein). The researchers then compared the body composition, weight, and metabolic measurements, such as blood glucose, between the two groups.
As anticipated, the sedentary mice pulling no weight and consuming a high-protein diet experienced impaired metabolic health, accumulating excess fat mass compared to the low-protein diet mice. However, the mice engaged in resistance training with a high-protein diet exhibited muscle growth, particularly in the forearm, and were protected against fat gain. Nevertheless, the exercise did not mitigate the negative impact of high protein intake on blood sugar control.
It is important to note that while the findings of the study were deemed solid, there were a few limitations highlighted by the editors. The use of mice as subjects may limit the generalizability of the results to humans due to inherent physiological differences. Additionally, the inclusion of a direct investigation into the underlying molecular mechanisms responsible for the observed results would further strengthen the findings.
Senior author Dudley Lamming, Associate Professor of Medicine (Endocrinology) at the Department of Medicine, School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Wisconsin, suggests that sedentary individuals with a high-protein diet or protein supplements may benefit from either reducing their protein intake or incorporating more resistance exercise.
The study provides valuable insight into the relationship between a high-protein diet, resistance exercise, and metabolic health. By shedding light on the benefits of resistance training in mitigating the negative effects of a high-protein diet, the research offers guidance for individuals seeking to optimize their dietary and exercise habits.