Another article that I chose to delve into is about the link between protein and resistance training. I find this article interesting because I have been a strength and fitness coach for about 7 years, and the battle between whether ingesting excess protein (while in a lifting cycle) helps or not goes back and forth.
The second article I chose to review deals with the use of dietary protein in relation to resistance training. Within this article, there is a debate as to whether excess protein intake helps or hurts athletes who participate in resistance training exercises such as weightlifting. The article explains that "educated sources" give the use of protein while resistance training a bad review and that they more often than not side with the opinion that additional protein is not needed and indeed detrimental to an individuals health. The authors of the article are careful to point out that these "educated sources" are often basing their opinions on data that is taken on subjects who are not athletes and therefore do not function in the same way as those who would be resistance training. They also point out that there is very little data on the use of excess protein in resistance training and that the only way to have correct data is to conduct long term studies on athletes who use and do not use superfluous protein in their diets while resistance training. Ultimately, this article explains that there is not enough "population-specific long term data" and that it will be necessary to have such data to make a realistic assessment of the outcome on this issue.
Due to the fact that this study claims there is not enough long term data to make a realistic data, I think it would be a great idea to do just that. One of the problems would be funding. I would guess that a protein supplement company would be more than happy to fund a long term study like this. The issue with that would be a perceived bias. Would it be in bad practice to receive funding for a study from the very companies that produce the product and make a profit from its sale?
Personally, I think protein supplements are a waste of money, considering enough protein can be ingested through a healthy diet. I think a problem with protein supplements is that it gives people an excuse to not look at their diets: " i had a protein shake today, which is healthy, so i can eat like crap the rest of the day." With an adequate diet, even a person going through a heavy weight lifting routine can get enough protein, and that protein would most likely have higher levels of absorption (according to my old anatomy professor...).
Forgot to add the articles-
Lowery, Lonnie M; Devia, Lorena. Dietary protein safety and resistance exercise: what do we really know? Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition. Vol. 6, No. 3, 2009.
Contributing Articles-
Campbell B, Kreider RB, Ziegenfuss T, La Bounty P, Roberts M, Burke D, Landis J, Lopez H, Antonio J: International Society of Sports Nutrition Position Stand: Protein and Exercise. (2007) 4:8.
Devia L, Huffman J, Mihevic J, Huszti A, Lowery L: Dietary Protein, Resistance Training and Health: A Call for Evidence.[abstract] 2008, 5(Suppl 1):P23.
I am curious to see what your authors mean by "additional protein is not needed and indeed detrimental to an individuals health" because as of now tho only known side effects of too much protein is bloating and abnormal bowel movements. I agree with Deckel that protein supplements can be a waste of money if you are not smart with your supplementation, but at the same time, I feel that athletes with extremely intense workouts feel that protein supplementation enhances recovery time for them by rebuilding what they have broken down and therefore making their workouts more beneficial in the long run.
It is funny to talk about protein intake because for a healthy diet, enough protein should be consumed to help the body repair all of the damaged tissues. Dr. Ingraham always talks about how the only people who may actually need protein supplementation are endurance athletes, because of their wear and tear on their body and structures, a little more protein would be beneficial. I am indifferent on this topic, I take in protein shakes and eat good chicken to get my protein in, and I feel that it does work for me. It may be a placebo effect, or it may not. I guess the research will determine the facts..
Are there any studies that specifically look at the effect of protein on muscle growth? Clearly, any such study should look at the effects on athletes, as this is the population where it really matters. What are some of the potential problems associated with excess protein intake?
A study funded by the companies that make the process may be biased, but there are ways to work around this. If people really thought protein supplements were useful, someone would probably have been interested enough to do the research. Maybe the lack of research suggests that people do not think protein supplements are effective.
I am still on the fence about this topic, each person will react to a high protien diet while strenth training. Who's to say that participant A is gonna have the same ability to grow muscle as participant B. I believe the ability to grow muscle depends mainly on the genetics of the trainee, the amount of time spent training and recovering, the type of training being performed, and a solid diet. I have used protien while training and as far as any added growth is concerned, I'm sure that I would have added muscle without it.
Well you said it when you say perceived bias supplement companies don't even need to fund anything, from my understanding they can already make claims based off of loose facts such as "taking this with your exercise will improve your strength", well this statement pretty much means "exercising will improve your strength". I think that if you take supplements and don't get the results you expected you can only blame your self for being a wishful thinker.