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When I get home from my morning gym session, the first thing I do is reach for my protein shake. I am determined to get ahead of my recovery before starting all over again tomorrow. Research into the average American diet shows I’m not alone in this cycle. almost twenty five% More than 22% of the American population’s total daily calories come from protein alone, with the majority coming from animal sources. But what if this ritual is not the best for our bodies?

new study was announced on natural metabolism investigated the potential negative effects of high-protein diets, which are often promoted as a “healthy lifestyle.”

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Protein is an essential macronutrient

Protein is an essential nutrient for human health, but many people In Western society, more protein On average, it exceeds the recommended daily intake. Driven by the idea that a high-protein diet is the key to better health, we can overlook the potential dangers it can pose, he said. Dr.lazani roundProfessor of Cardiology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Corresponding author: “YYou can read a lot of things on the internet, but much of it is not only untrue, but also not based on clinical evidence or effectiveness. ”

Razani and team Before We found that excess dietary protein increases the risk of atherosclerosis in mice. The researchers partnered with Dr. Bettina Mittendorfer Metabolism experts at the University of Missouri-Columbia aim to further investigate the potential mechanisms behind this association and its relevance in humans.

High protein diet triggers immune cell activation

Researchers combined cell, animal, and dwarf human studies to investigate the pathways underlying the link between high-protein diets and atherosclerosis seen in mice..their previous As a result, Razani and team investigated the effects of different protein intakes in humans by: To compare the effects of liquid diets containing 10% or 50% of energy as protein on monocyte mTORC1 activation. They also compared the same results in participants who consumed a standard mixed protein diet or a mixed diet with moderately increased protein content (15% kcal vs. 22% kcal). A blood sample was previously taken and1 hour and 2 hoursAssess plasma amino acid concentrations and monocyte mTORC1 signaling several hours after meal ingestion.

Researchers demonstrate that consuming more than 22% of daily dietary calories through protein has a negative effect on human macrophages, leading to the accumulation of cellular debris within blood vessel walls and thus worsening atherosclerotic plaques. did.

“Eating more protein leads to activation of macrophages, the immune cells that are a key driver of atherosclerosis. And we discovered that a key protein called mTOR within macrophages mediates this process. We have identified it,” Razani said.

To determine which of the seven amino acids contribute to mTORC1 signaling in monocytes/macrophages, researchers used cultured human monocyte-derived macrophages (HMDMs) to determine macrophage-specific responses for each amino acid. investigated mTORC1 responses. These results were also confirmed in mice.

“We then discovered that only leucine, an amino acid found abundantly in proteins of animal origin, was the main activator of the mTOR pathway in macrophages, and thus at risk for atherosclerosis. “There are 20 amino acids that make up the proteins we consume. But leucine is the only bad guy that worsens heart artery disease,” Razani said.

“We hope this study starts a conversation about the misconception that consuming dietary protein is a panacea that improves all aspects of metabolic health. It’s much more complicated,” Razani added.

Find your protein “sweet spot”

The data also suggest that differences in leucine levels between plant-based and animal-based diets may explain differences in their effects on cardiovascular and metabolic health. “We are conducting a follow-up study to determine whether consuming primarily plant-based proteins (which may have lower leucine elevations than animal-based proteins) can reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease. We are working on it,” Razani said. “There is a lot of debate about the benefits of plant-based versus animal-based proteins, and my group has the opportunity to study it mechanistically and at a level of detail that is rarely done.”

Razani outlined some additional questions that need to be addressed in research in this area. First, what happens when you consume 22% of your daily calories instead of the recommended 15% of your daily dietary protein? Enable muscle growth while avoiding the immune cell cascade that increases your risk of atherosclerosis. Is there a potential value for that?

Further research is needed to investigateThe impact of changes in the amount and type of dietary protein that lead to increased risk of atherosclerosis and how they may evolve current dietary guidelines for protein intake.

“We hope this study raises awareness that increasing dietary protein intake is not a cure-all for metabolic health and can increase the risk of heart disease,” Razani said. said.

Dr. Babak Razani spoke to Liana Lilly Smith, Junior Science Editor at Technology Networks.

reference: Zhang et al. Identification of a leucine-mediated threshold effect governing mTOR signaling and cardiovascular risk in macrophages. natural metabolism. 2024.Doi: 10.1038/s4 2255-024-00984-2

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