Is protein metabolism affected by menstrual cycle hormones? 🧐
Should we adjust protein intake in relation to cycles?
Impact of menstrual cycle and hormonal contraception on whole-body protein turnover in recreationally active females
Study Details
This new study recruited 40 healthy active females…
🩸 15 x eumenorrheic (normal cycle)
💊 13 x oral contraceptive users
👉 12 x IUD users
Participants markers of protein metabolism were tested in low- (follicular / placebo) and high-hormone (luteal / active pill) phases 🩸
Key Findings
No group differences were observed for…
❌ Protein balance
❌ Protein synthesis
❌ Protein breakdown
❌ Nitrogen flux
In the total group sample, protein breakdown and nitrogen flux were higher in the low-hormone phase 📈
Conclusion
During follicular phases of the menstrual cycle protein breakdown is higher, therefore a higher protein intake may be required during this phase 🍗
An additional protein based snack or emphasis on protein intake at every meal could be a useful strategy ✅
Reference
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41975223/
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