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Protein Metabolism and Its Implications for Health Benefits

A special issue of Nutrients (ISSN 2072-6643). This special issue belongs to the section "Proteins and Amino Acids".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (20 May 2025) | Viewed by 647

Special Issue Editors


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Guest Editor
Food Science and Environmental Health, Technological University Dublin, D07 ADY7 Dublin, Ireland
Interests: food science; food chemistry; food processing; nutraceuticals and functional foods; valorization and sustainable nutrition

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Guest Editor
Food BioSciences Department, Teagasc Food Research Centre, Ashtown, D15 KN3K Dublin, Ireland
Interests: proteins; peptides; bioactives; animal health; functional foods; heart health; diabetes; inflammation; pain; pharma
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Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

A Special Issue focused on “Protein Metabolism and Its Implications for Health Benefits” is proposed due to the tremendous importance of proteins in dietary health and disease prevention. Regulatory bodies like the EFSA, FSAI, FSANZ, and FDA have long provided guidelines on protein intake, underscoring its necessity in preventing musculoskeletal diseases such as muscle wasting and sarcopenia. This Special Issue aims to explore protein quality, utilizing ranking tools (PDCAAS, DIAAS) to compare plant- versus animal-based proteins and examine novel sources such as seaweed and insects. Understanding how anti-nutrients and macro/micro-molecules affect protein digestibility and bioavailability is also crucial, as these factors can impede metabolic efficiency. Additionally, the pivotal role of digestive enzymes in protein metabolism will be examined, alongside enzymatic hydrolysis techniques that enhance the bioavailability of amino acids and bioactive peptides. Moreover, this Special Issue will delve into mineral-binding peptides and their impact on metabolic health. Special emphasis will be placed on the health-promoting functions of specific proteins. For example, collagen and gelatin will be investigated for their prominent role in supporting joint, hair, and skin health; calcium-bound casein for bone health; and whey protein for its role in positively affecting muscle growth and recovery. The role of specific proteins in mitigating oxidative stress and immune responses and their resulting impact on aging will also be covered. To predict nutritional outcomes, both in vitro and in vivo models of target bioactivity and bioavailability will be reviewed, providing insights into the metabolic pathways of different proteins. This Special Issue will also scrutinize the types of proteins used in food formulation and their implications for tribology and flavor, crucial aspects for consumer acceptance and nutritional efficacy. By gathering leading experts in these fields, this Special Issue aims to offer comprehensive insights into the role of protein metabolism in public health and dietary guidelines.

Dr. Azza Silotry Naik
Dr. Maria Hayes
Guest Editors

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Keywords

  • protein metabolism
  • protein intake
  • musculoskeletal diseases
  • sarcopenia
  • protein quality
  • plant-based proteins
  • animal-based proteins
  • protein digestibility
  • amino acids
  • bioactive peptides
  • oxidative stress

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Published Papers (1 paper)

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Research

25 pages, 3091 KiB  
Article
Protein Intake and Protein Quality Patterns in New Zealand Vegan Diets: An Observational Analysis Using Dynamic Time Warping
by Bi Xue Patricia Soh, Matthieu Vignes, Nick W. Smith, Pamela R. von Hurst and Warren C. McNabb
Nutrients 2025, 17(11), 1806; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu17111806 - 26 May 2025
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Abstract
Background/Objectives: Inadequate intake of indispensable amino acids (IAAs) is a significant challenge in vegan diets. Since IAAs are not produced or stored over long durations in the human body, regular and balanced dietary protein consumption throughout the day is essential for metabolic function. [...] Read more.
Background/Objectives: Inadequate intake of indispensable amino acids (IAAs) is a significant challenge in vegan diets. Since IAAs are not produced or stored over long durations in the human body, regular and balanced dietary protein consumption throughout the day is essential for metabolic function. The objective of this study is to investigate the variation in protein and IAA intake across 24 h among New Zealand vegans with time-series clustering, using Dynamic Time Warping (DTW). Methods: This data-driven approach objectively categorised vegan dietary data into distinct clusters for protein intake and protein quality analysis. Results: Total protein consumed per eating occasion (EO) was 11.1 g, with 93.5% of the cohort falling below the minimal threshold of 20 g of protein per EO. The mean protein intake for each EO in cluster 1 was 6.5 g, cluster 2 was 11.4 g and only cluster 3 was near the threshold at 19.0 g. IAA intake was highest in cluster 3, with lysine and leucine being 3× higher in cluster 3 than cluster 1. All EOs in cluster 1 were below the reference protein intake relative to body weight, closely followed by cluster 2 (91.5%), while cluster 3 comparatively had the lowest EOs under this reference (31.9%). Conclusions: DTW produced three distinct dietary patterns in the vegan cohort. Further exploration of plant protein combinations could inform recommendations to optimise protein quality in vegan diets. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Protein Metabolism and Its Implications for Health Benefits)
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