Apparent Saturation of Branched-Chain Amino Acid Catabolism After High Dietary Milk Protein Intake in Healthy Adults.

Context: Milk protein contains high concentrations of branched-chain amino acids (BCAA) that play a critical role in anabolism and are implicated in the onset of obesity and chronic disease. Characterizing BCAA catabolism in the postprandial phase could elucidate the impact of protein intake on obesity risk established in the "early protein hypothesis."

Objective: To examine the acute effects of protein content of young child formulas as test meals on BCAA catabolism, observing postprandial plasma concentrations of BCAA in relation to their degradation products.

Acute Metabolic Response in Adults to Toddler Milk Formulas with Alternating Higher and Lower Protein and Fat Contents, a Randomized Cross-Over Trial.

Protein intake in early life influences metabolism, weight gain, and later obesity risk. As such, a better understanding of the effects of protein intake on the postprandial metabolism and its dynamics over time may elucidate underlying mechanisms. In a randomized crossover study, we observed fasted adults who consumed two isocaloric toddler milk formulas concentrated as meals of 480 kcal with 67 g of carbohydrates 30 g (HP) or 7 g (LP) protein, and 10 g or 20 g fat, respectively.