Very-low-carbohydrate diets and preservation of muscle mass

[Steve387]

According to this

"The perception that the VLCARB leads to progressive loss of muscle protein apparently comes from the poorly controlled "Turkey Study" published in the New England Journal of Medicine in 1980"
http://www.pubmedcentral.nih.gov/articlerender.fcgi?&pubmedid=16448570

Interesting, I wonder what that True Adonis guy thinks of this.

Although these results should be interpreted cautiously given the low number of subjects, this study strongly suggests that a VLCARB promotes fat loss while preserving muscle mass, supporting the notion that "a calorie is not a calorie"


I think Milos said it right as well when he mentioned in his DVD that protein is the tissue builder, skin proteins, muscle and so on. Carbs and fat are energy, also with meat and egg a source of cholesterol, to building material of hormones. According to him cals just a number at the sum of the day.


 

[Steve387]

Another interesting one from 1984

"It was concluded that protein intakes at the level of the recommended dietary allowance (0.8 g/kg) are not compatible with nitrogen equilibrium when the energy intake is severely restricted, and that nitrogen balance is improved by increasing the protein intake above that level. Basal rates of whole body nitrogen turnover are relatively well maintained, compared with total fasting, at both protein intakes. However, turnover in the peripheral compartment, as evidenced by alanine flux, may be markedly diminished with either diet."

"In one controlled study, obese individuals followed sequential 400 kcal diets providing either 100 g protein alone or 50 g protein and 50 g carbohydrate.
Nitrogen balance was negative during the third week with either diet (5). Other investigators, however, have reported nitrogen equilibrium in obese subjects on very low calorie diets providing as little as 31 g protein/d (6). Uncontrolled studies carried out by our group suggest that protein intakes at the RDA level (0.8 g/kg) do not permit nitrogen equilibrium in the setting of severe calorie restriction, but increases to 1.5g/kg based on the ideal body weight (IBW), result in mean nitrogen equilibrium in groups of moderately obese women. (7,8)."