Muscle wasting is the breakdown of muscle tissue that occurs when the muscle is not used regularly or when a nerve feeding the muscle is damaged. A small amount of muscle loss is normally a minor problem to which the body can adjust, although strength and even range of motion will be decreased. Moderate or severe wasting, however, can quickly become a serious problem that requires a focused treatment plan including guided exercise of the affected muscle. Nutrition is a key component of treatment, and protein plays a major role.
Protein's Role
Protein is made up of amino acids, and one of their major jobs is to assist in cell repair. When muscle tissue is damaged, either through normal use or atrophy, the amino acids rush in and fix the damaged cells, building new ones where appropriate. In cases of exercise-induced muscle damage, additional cells are added to make the muscle stronger to better withstand the next episode of stress. In cases of muscle wasting, the amino acids are spent in damage repair and prevention of further breakdown. A 2009 review in the journal "Current Opinion in Clinical Nutrition and Metabolic Care" states that consuming more than 1.5 g of protein per kilogram of body weight may help prevent further muscle loss or even build muscle tissue.
Protein Powders
Protein powders pack a hearty dose of protein in a compact package. The typical protein shake is about 8 oz., with about 30 g of protein. Being a liquid, protein shakes may be easier to consume and keep down for people with wasting illnesses, and the most popular protein powder sources like whey and soy digest very quickly. They are frequently recommended for people undergoing chemotherapy because a bland, quick-digesting protein source is more likely to stay down when chemo-related nausea hits. Even if nausea is not a problem for you, protein shakes help you increase your protein consumption to levels that may help prevent muscle wasting, and can be a useful adjunct to your exercise therapy.
Exercise
Part of the therapy for muscle wasting, exercise tears muscle tissue down, and protein builds it back up. Inadequate protein intake means the amino acids will get used up repairing damage -- this may prevent further wasting, but it won't help rebuild the lost muscle. Increased protein consumption to ensures there are enough amino acids left over to help build additional muscle tissue once repairs are completed. The amount of extra protein needed depends a number of factors -- your doctor will be specific. Choose a protein powder that contains all the essential amino acids -- again, whey and soy are good choices. Some protein powders come with additional amino acids added, and in some cases, that may be beneficial.
Amino Acids
Amino acids are sold individually or mixed with protein powders, with claims of increased muscle building over protein alone. In some cases, that's true -- a 2007 study in "The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition" found that branched-chain amino acids increased protein synthesis in COPD patients better than soy protein alone. A 2010 animal study in the journal "Muscle and Nerve" found that the same was not true for leucine. The benefits of each amino acid vary depending upon the reason for the muscle wasting -- the leucine study investigated immobilization, and the BCAA study looked at COPD. Ask your doctor which supplement is right for you.
References
- MedlinePlus: Muscle Atrophy
- "Current Opinions in Clinical Nutrition and Metabolic Care"; Muscle Atrophy in Cachexia: Can Dietary Protein Tip the Balance?; Op den Kamp CM, et al.; November 2009
- "The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition"; Supplementation of Soy Protein With Branched-Chain Amino Acids Alters Protein Metabolism in Healthy Elderly and Even More in Patients With Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease; Marielle PKJ Engelen, et al.; February 2007
- "Muscle and Nerve"; Leucine Attenuates Skeletal Muscle Wasting via Inhibition of Ubiqaquitin Ligases; Baptista IL, et al.; June 2010
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