More Protein Did Not Increase LBM in Men on TRT or Not on TRT

[Jinzang]

The study was a 2 x 2 factorial design where older men were given 100 mg of testosterone a week or not and were eating 1.3 g/kg or 0.8 g/kg (the RDA) of protein a day. No mention is made in the summary of any exercise program, but the summary says the men were "functionally limited." The men were followed for 6 months. As you can see from the graph, testosterone significantly increased lean body mass, but there was no benefit from additional protein.

This randomized clinical trial with a 2 × 2 factorial design was conducted in a research center. A modified intent-to-treat analytic strategy was used. Participants were 92 functionally limited men 65 years or older with usual protein intake less thanor equal to 0.83 g/kg/d within the RDA. The first participant was randomized on September 21, 2011, and the last participant completed the study on January 19, 2017.
Participants were randomized for 6 months to controlled diets with 0.8 g/kg/d of protein plus placebo, 1.3 g/kg/d of protein plus placebo, 0.8 g/kg/d of protein plus testosterone enanthate (100 mg weekly), or 1.3 g/kg/d of protein plus testosterone. Prespecified energy and protein contents were provided through custom-prepared meals and supplements.
Among 92 men the 4 study groups did not differ in baseline characteristics. Changes from baseline in lean mass, as well as muscle strength and power, walking speed and stair-climbing power, health-related quality of life, fatigue, and well-being, did not differ between men assigned to 0.8 vs 1.3 g/kg/d of protein regardless of whether they received testosterone or placebo. Fat mass decreased in participants given higher protein but did not change in those given the RDA: between-group differences were significant.

The summary can be read online. The full article is behind a paywall.

 

[Nashtide]

The study was a 2 x 2 factorial design where older men were given 100 mg of testosterone a week or not and were eating 1.3 g/kg or 0.8 g/kg (the RDA) of protein a day. No mention is made in the summary of any exercise program, but the summary says the men were "functionally limited." The men were followed for 6 months. As you can see from the graph, testosterone significantly increased lean body mass, but there was no benefit from additional protein.



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The summary can be read online. The full article is behind a paywall.

Seems to me, that if the participants were engaged in a solid weight lifting program, the difference in protein would have been significant.

 

[Saul]

Thanks for posting. Interesting. Even at .8 grams protein per kg, for me that would be 76 grams of protein per day. That is about 12 eggs per day. Even the low protein group is still eating a good bit of protein.

 

[Weasel]

I just read one the a couple weeks back that IIRC used a exercise program, and based results off strength increases, and maybe not LBM. the results said there was an improvement up to 1.66 grams per kg.

I just skimmed it quick so I don't recall specifics.

 

[FeelingLost]

I always thought anything you eat be it protein carb fat or sugars turns to bodyfat if your body does not use it right away.

 

[Jinzang]

I don't think you can draw any conclusions from this study about the need for protein above the RDA in any other group than the group that was studied: men above 65 who engage in little or no exercise. However, this is a significant group, especially among TRT users. The more interesting conclusion to me was the increase in lean body mass, almost 4 kilograms, in users on 100 mg of testosterone a week.