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Whey protein vs. casein and casein hydrolysate in postprandial muscle protein accretion in older adults

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eMediNexus    27 March 2020

Sarcopenia occurs as a result of decreased muscle protein synthetic response to food intake. Factors that alter postprandial muscle protein accretion include different digestion and absorption kinetics of dietary protein, its amino acid composition, or both.

A study by Pennings and colleagues compared protein digestion and absorption kinetics and the ensuing postprandial muscle protein accretion following ingestion of whey, casein, and casein hydrolysate in healthy older adults.

Forty eight men aged 74 ± 1 years (mean ± SEM) were randomized to take a meal-like amount (20 g) of intrinsically l-[1-(13)C]phenylalanine-labeled whey, casein, or casein hydrolysate. Continuous intravenous l-[ring-(2)H(5)]phenylalanine infusion was also given to evaluate digestion and absorption kinetics of dietary protein. Researchers calculated the postprandial mixed muscle protein fractional synthetic rates (FSRs) with the help of the ingested tracer.

The peak appearance rate of dietary protein-derived phenylalanine in the circulation was noted to be higher with whey and casein hydrolysate as compared to casein. FSR was greater following whey protein (0.15 ± 0.02%/h) in comparison with casein (0.08 ± 0.01%/h) and casein hydrolysate (0.10 ± 0.01%/h) ingestion (Fig. 1). There was a positive correlation between peak plasma leucine concentrations and postprandial FSR values.

Whey protein was thus shown to be more effective in stimulating postprandial muscle protein accretion in comparison with casein and casein hydrolysate in older men. Wheys faster digestion and absorption kinetics and its greater leucine content seem to be responsible for such effect.

Whey protein supplementation could therefore be a promising option to manage sarcopenia in older adults.

Fig. 1. Fractional synthetic rates after whey, casein and casein hydrolysate ingestion

Reference

  1. Pennings B, Boirie Y, Senden JM, et al. Whey protein stimulates postprandial muscle protein accretion more effectively than do casein and casein hydrolysate in older men. Am J Clin Nutr. 2011 May;93(5):997-1005.

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