Defining Beef and Meal Frequency as Key Components of a Healthy Eating Pattern for Muscle Health and Wellbeing

Study Overview
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Brief Summary
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Adopting a healthy eating pattern is important for meeting dietary recommendations and weight management. Although less clear, it seems reasonable to assume that the eating patterns we typically follow can also affect our psychological wellbeing. As such, healthy eating patterns are often adapted to suit one's personal preference. For example, many people choose to follow a vegetarian-style eating pattern whereby meat, poultry, and seafood are excluded from the diet. However, current research suggests that vegetarian eating patterns may result in decreased synthesis of new muscle proteins when compared to the typical meat-based US-style diet. This ultimately leads to reduced muscle quality and mass which increases the risk of dependence and mobility limitations later in life. Another important factor to consider when adapting a healthy eating pattern is the frequency and distribution of meals throughout the day. In the US, protein intake is typically skewed throughout the day such that people consume more protein at dinner when compared to breakfast. This skewed distribution combined with a low meal frequency (3 meals per day) can also sacrifice the rate of muscle protein synthesis. As such, it is important to investigate the interaction between food choices, meal frequency, and protein distribution to promote muscle health and prevent development of disease and disability. In addition, it is also important to understand how these eating patterns affect enjoyment and pleasure following meals. This work will help to determine healthy eating patterns that promote muscle health and psychological wellbeing.

Official Title
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Defining Beef and Meal Frequency as Key Components of a Healthy Eating Pattern for Muscle Health and Wellbeing

Conditions
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Meal Frequency, Dietary Habits, Muscle Protein Synthesis

Intervention / Treatment
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* Behavioral: Animal-based Protein Foods
* Behavioral: Skewed Protein Distribution
* Behavioral: Plant-based Protein Foods
* Behavioral: Balanced Protein Distribution


Participation Criteria
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Eligibility Criteria
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Inclusion Criteria: Age 20-40 Pre-menopausal Recreationally active Weight stable for prior 6 months Consumption of meat-based diet for >6 months Exclusion Criteria: Age outside of range (20 - 40) Pregnancy Irregular menstrual cycles Participation in previous research using 2H2O or [13C6]phenylalanine Participation in other ongoing research that interferes with this study (e.g., conflicting diet, activity interventions, etc.) Any hospitalization or surgery for a metabolic, cardiovascular, or neuromusculoskeletal complication within the past year Allergy or hypersensitivity to local anesthetics, latex, or adhesives (bandages, medical tape, etc.) Excess scarring after injury History of excess bleeding after cut Chronic or frequent dizziness/fainting, and arm or leg weakness/numbness Arthritis Tumors Mental Illness Hepatorenal, cardiovascular musculoskeletal, autoimmune, or neurological disease or disorder Predisposition to hypertrophic scarring or keloid formation Physical activity limitations Consumption of ergogenic-levels of dietary supplements that may affect muscle mass (e.g., creatine, HMB), insulin-like substances, or anabolic/catabolic pro-hormones (e.g., DHEA) within 6 weeks prior to participation Consumption of thyroid, androgenic, or other medications known to affect endocrine function Consumption of medications known to affect protein metabolism (e.g., prescription-strength corticosteroids, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatories, or acne medication) Unwillingness to comply with study procedures Weight unstable (variation >5% of bodyweight in last 6-12 months) Pregnancy Allergy to dairy product or lactose intolerance Current or previous tobacco use with last 6 months Obesity (body mass index; BMI > 30 kg m-2) Score of less than 14 or greater than 24 on Godin-Shephard Leisure-Time Physical Activity Questionnaire

Ages Eligible for Study
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Minimum Age: 20 Years
Maximum Age: 40 Years

Sexes Eligible for Study
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All

Accepts Healthy Volunteers
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Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Study Plan
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How is the study designed?
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Design Details

Primary Purpose: Treatment
Allocation: Randomized
Intervention Model: Factorial Assignment
Masking: None (Open Label)


Arms and Interventions

| Participant Group/Arm | Intervention/Treatment |
| --- | --- |
| Active Comparator: Animal Protein - Skewed Distribution<br>Animal-based protein foods with 3 meals per day consisting of 10-, 30-, and 60% of dietary protein for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, respectively. | Behavioral: Animal-based Protein Foods<br>* Participants will consume animal-based protein foods.<br>Behavioral: Skewed Protein Distribution<br>* Participants will consume 3 meals per day consisting of 10-, 30-, 60% of dietary protein for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, respectively.<br>|
| Experimental: Plant Protein - Skewed Distribution<br>Plant-based protein foods with 3 meals per day consisting of 10-, 30-, and 60% of dietary protein for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, respectively. | Behavioral: Skewed Protein Distribution<br>* Participants will consume 3 meals per day consisting of 10-, 30-, 60% of dietary protein for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, respectively.<br>Behavioral: Plant-based Protein Foods<br>* Participants will consume plant-based protein foods.<br>|
| Experimental: Animal Protein - Balanced Distribution<br>Animal-based protein foods with 5 meals per day consisting of 20% of dietary protein per meal. | Behavioral: Animal-based Protein Foods<br>* Participants will consume animal-based protein foods.<br>Behavioral: Balanced Protein Distribution<br>* Participants will consume 5 meals per day consisting of 20% of dietary protein per meal.<br>|
| Experimental: Plant Protein - Balanced Distribution<br>Plant-based protein foods with 5 meals per day consisting of 20% of dietary protein per meal. | Behavioral: Plant-based Protein Foods<br>* Participants will consume plant-based protein foods.<br>Behavioral: Balanced Protein Distribution<br>* Participants will consume 5 meals per day consisting of 20% of dietary protein per meal.<br>|

What is the study measuring?
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Primary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Compare fractional synthesis rate of myofibrillar proteins to different dietary protein food sources and meal frequencies | Rate of building new protein in skeletal muscle contractile protein | Day 1 - Day 9 | 
| Compare fractional synthesis rate of myofibrillar proteins to different dietary protein food | Rate of building new protein in skeletal muscle contractile protein | During the 3-hour post-absorptive period prior to ingestion of a mixed meal containing either plant- or animal based protein and throughout the 5-hour post-prandial period following meal ingestion | 

Secondary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Valence (Pleasantness or Unpleasantness) | Measurement of feelings of un/pleasantness via survey responses to a measure of valence (Feeling Scale) | Immediately prior to workout, immediately post workout, and immediately post meal on habituation days 2, 4, and 6 and intervention days 3, 5, and 7 | 
| Arousal (Alertness) | Measurement of feelings of alertness to via survey responses to a measure of arousal (Felt Arousal Scale) | Immediately prior to workout, immediately post workout, and immediately post meal on habituation days 2, 4, and 6 and intervention days 3, 5, and 7 | 
| Arousal (Alertness) | Measurement of feelings of alertness to via survey responses to a measure of arousal (Activation-Deactivation Adjective Check List). | Immediately prior to workout, immediately post workout, and immediately post meal on habituation days 2, 4, and 6 and intervention days 3, 5, and 7 | 
| Plasma Amino Acid Concentration | Concentration of amino acids in plasma as determined by LC/MS/MS | During the 3-hour post-absorptive period prior to ingestion of a mixed meal containing either plant- or animal based protein and throughout the 5-hour post-prandial period following meal ingestion | 
| Plasma Insulin Concentration | Concentration of insulin plasma as determined via commercially-available ELISA kit | During the 3-hour post-absorptive period prior to ingestion of a mixed meal containing either plant- or animal based protein and throughout the 5-hour post-prandial period following meal ingestion | 
| Anabolic Signaling | Phosphorylation of anabolic signaling targets as determined via Western blotting | Prior to, 2 hours, and 5 hours following ingestion of a mixed meal containing either plant- or animal based protein | 
| Whole-body Leucine Oxidation | Leucine oxidation rates will be assessed using the a-[13C]ketoisocaproate reciprocal pool model | During the 3-hour post-absorptive period prior to ingestion of a mixed meal containing either plant- or animal based protein and throughout the 5-hour post-prandial period following meal ingestion |