Does Eating More Protein Build Bigger Muscles?

eating more protein

Protein drink manufacturers and coaches for eons have recommended eating more protein to weight lifters and athletes. However, making bigger muscles is a complex dance of biochemical reactions, so can we be sure that just throwing more protein into the mix will actually end up in making more muscle? In addition, as we age, muscles lose their ability to respond to anabolic stimuli and more protein. This is thought to happen because of a decrease in the ability of protein to activate something called the mTOR pathway (if you add an “h” after the “T”, it looks like mThOR, the big muscle movie guy). Well several recent studies including one just published, do show that adding more protein after weight lifting activate this muscle building mTOR pathway. The upshot? You might want to consider getting a shaker bottle and a good protein drink, as taking a swig after a workout may really help build muscle. Why is more muscle important? It helps to increase the amount of calories you burn just by moving, which in our modern sedentary world with too many calories all around us, isn’t a bad thing. Plus who wouldn’t want to look like Thor?

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Chris Centeno, MD is a specialist in regenerative medicine and the new field of Interventional Orthopedics. Centeno pioneered orthopedic stem cell procedures in 2005 and is responsible for a large amount of the published research on stem cell use for orthopedic applications. View Profile

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NOTE: This blog post provides general information to help the reader better understand regenerative medicine, musculoskeletal health, and related subjects. All content provided in this blog, website, or any linked materials, including text, graphics, images, patient profiles, outcomes, and information, are not intended and should not be considered or used as a substitute for medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Please always consult with a professional and certified healthcare provider to discuss if a treatment is right for you.

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