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The Rehabilitative Role of Protein: Protein Intake and Recovery of Muscle Mass, Strength, and Function

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A special issue of Nutrients (ISSN 2072-6643). This special issue belongs to the section "Sports Nutrition".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (31 October 2021) | Viewed by 33181

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Special Issue Editor

Prof. Dr. Nancy R. Rodriguez

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Guest Editor

Department of Nutritional Sciences, College of Agriculture, Health and Natural Resources, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT 06269, USA
Interests: protein intake; energy balance; protein utilization; protein quality; essential amino density; physical rehabilitation

Special Issue Information

Dear colleagues,

Rehabilitative nutrition is a term historically associated with clinical approaches for managing nutritional status in patients presenting with various pathologies associated with muscle wasting (e.g., cancer, AIDS, renal disease) to improve patient outcomes and decrease mortality. This approach has not been extended to individuals with muscle injury, recovering from orthopedic surgery procedures, or individuals with chronic diseases who experience losses in muscle mass and function. Only recently have traditional protein-specific sports nutrition initiatives aimed at muscle health been considered in the context of chronic disease and physical rehabilitation. In the proposed issue, ‘rehabilitative nutrition’ refers to dietary–protein-driven interventions that provide essential amino acids critical to attenuate the loss of muscle in various situations and physiological states and needed to support optimal gains in muscle mass, strength, and function.

Prof. Nancy R. Rodriguez
Guest Editor

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Keywords

rehabilitative nutrition
protein intake
protein quality
muscle injury
muscle mass
muscle function

Published Papers (3 papers)

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Research

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10 pages, 728 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Effect of High-Protein Diets on Integrated Myofibrillar Protein Synthesis before Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction: A Randomized Controlled Pilot Study

by Emily E. Howard, Lee M. Margolis, Maya A. Fussell, Clifford G. Rios, Eric M. Meisterling, Christopher J. Lena, Stefan M. Pasiakos and Nancy R. Rodriguez

Nutrients 2022, 14(3), 563; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu14030563 - 27 Jan 2022

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 2994

Abstract

Increasing dietary protein intake during periods of muscle disuse may mitigate the resulting decline in muscle protein synthesis (MPS). The purpose of this randomized pilot study was to determine the effect of increased protein intake during periods of disuse before anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction on myofibrillar protein synthesis (MyoPS), and proteolytic and myogenic gene expression. Six healthy, young males (30 ± 9 y) were randomized to consume a high-quality, optimal protein diet (OP; 1.9 g·kg⁻¹·d⁻¹) or adequate protein diet (AP; 1.2 g·kg⁻¹·d⁻¹) for two weeks before ACL reconstruction. Muscle biopsies collected during surgery were used to measure integrated MyoPS during the intervention (via daily deuterium oxide ingestion) and gene expression at the time of surgery. MyoPS tended to be higher, with a large effect size in OP compared to AP (0.71 ± 0.1 and 0.54 ± 0.1%·d⁻¹; p = 0.076; g = 1.56). Markers of proteolysis and myogenesis were not different between groups (p > 0.05); however, participants with greater MyoPS exhibited lower levels of MuRF1 gene expression compared to those with lower MyoPS (r = −0.82, p = 0.047). The data from this pilot study reveal a potential stimulatory effect of increased daily protein intake on MyoPS during injury-mediated disuse conditions that warrants further investigation. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Rehabilitative Role of Protein: Protein Intake and Recovery of Muscle Mass, Strength, and Function)

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10 pages, 1218 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Short-Term Protein Supplementation Does Not Alter Energy Intake, Macronutrient Intake and Appetite in 50–75 Year Old Adults

by Esme R. Tuttiett, Dan J. Green, Emma J. Stevenson, Thomas R. Hill, Bernard M. Corfe and Elizabeth A. Williams

Nutrients 2021, 13(5), 1711; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu13051711 - 18 May 2021

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 3950

Abstract

Ageing is associated with a reduction in muscle mass and strength, termed sarcopenia. Dietary protein is important for the maintenance of muscle mass through the promotion of muscle protein synthesis. However, protein is also reported to be a highly satiating nutrient. This raises concerns that protein intake for musculoskeletal health reasons in older adults may exacerbate age-related decreased appetite and may result in reduced energy and nutrient intake. This study aimed to investigate the effect of short-term protein supplementation and its timing (morning vs. evening), on energy and nutrient intake and appetite measures in middle-older age adults. Twenty-four 50–75 year olds were recruited to a randomised cross-over trial. In phase 1 (pre-supplementation) participants completed a food diary and reported hunger and appetite on three alternate days. During the second and third phases, participants consumed a 20 g whey protein gel (78 mL/368 kJ), for four days, either in the morning (after breakfast) or the evening (before bed), whilst completing the same assessments as phase 1. No differences in dietary intakes of energy, macronutrients and micronutrients were recorded when comparing the pre-supplementation phase to the protein supplementation phases, irrespective of timing (excluding the contribution of the protein supplement itself). Similarly, no differences were observed in self-reported feelings of hunger and appetite. In conclusion, a 20 g/day whey protein supplement given outside of meal-times did not alter habitual dietary intakes, hunger or appetite in this middle-older age adult population in the short-term. This approach may be a useful strategy to increasing habitual protein intake in the middle-older age population. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Rehabilitative Role of Protein: Protein Intake and Recovery of Muscle Mass, Strength, and Function)

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Review

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12 pages, 1377 KiB

Open AccessReview

Pre- and Post-Surgical Nutrition for Preservation of Muscle Mass, Strength, and Functionality Following Orthopedic Surgery

by Katie R. Hirsch, Robert R. Wolfe and Arny A. Ferrando

Nutrients 2021, 13(5), 1675; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu13051675 - 15 May 2021

Cited by 39 | Viewed by 25394

Abstract

Nutritional status is a strong predictor of postoperative outcomes and is recognized as an important component of surgical recovery programs. Adequate nutritional consumption is essential for addressing the surgical stress response and mitigating the loss of muscle mass, strength, and functionality. Especially in older patients, inadequate protein can lead to significant muscle atrophy, leading to a loss of independence and increased mortality risk. Current nutritional recommendations for surgery primarily focus on screening and prevention of malnutrition, pre-surgical fasting protocols, and combating post-surgical insulin resistance, while recommendations regarding macronutrient composition and timing around surgery are less established. The goal of this review is to highlight oral nutrition strategies that can be implemented leading up to and following major surgery to minimize atrophy and the resultant loss of functionality. The role of carbohydrate and especially protein/essential amino acids in combating the surgical stress cascade and supporting recovery are discussed. Practical considerations for nutrient timing to maximize oral nutritional intake, especially during the immediate pre- and post- surgical periods, are also be discussed. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Rehabilitative Role of Protein: Protein Intake and Recovery of Muscle Mass, Strength, and Function)

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