Jump to content

On protein optimization


Recommended Posts

I found this recent podcast in the Simon Hill series pretty interesting, from the conceptual and research standpoints. The take-home message is that many of the advocates of the hi protein regimens are just overshooting it, aiming for an upper bound, a very cautious value, which would constitute a maximization rather than an optimization.

The monetary cost for assuming more protein than needed is trivial usually, whereas the cost in terms of healthspan and longevity may be substantial.

The other take-home message is that the body is a self-optimizing system, which 'squeezes' the protein out of the food when needed, as dictated by exercise and activity.

My personal thought on the topic is that, given a sufficient energy substrate, especially if sugar-rich, we don't need an overwhelming amount of protein to reach muscle hypertrophy. The studies on weight lifters give a 200% RDA as an upper bound, as also related by Brad Schoenfeld.

Values like the ones suggested by Peter Attia, in the region of 275% RDA, are insanely high for most people except maybe extreme endurance athletes. by insanely high I also mean it is very hard to eat those amounts unless we are ravenously hungry all the time. Very hard and most probably unhealthy.

 

Edited by mccoy
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.

Guest
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Paste as plain text instead

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.

Loading...
×
×
  • Create New...