Publications by authors named "I van der Heijden"

Introduction: Microalgae provide a sustainable basis for protein-rich food production. However, human data concerning microalgae ingestion, subsequent postprandial amino acid (AA) availability and associated metabolic responses are minimal.

Objectives: We investigated ingesting sp.

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We characterized daily dietary protein intakes, focusing on protein source (animal and nonanimal) and form (whole-foods and supplemental) in young (18-40 years) resistance trained (training ≥ 3×/week for ≥ 6 months; TRA; male, n = 30; female, n = 14) and recreationally active (no structured training; REC; male, n = 30; female, n = 30) individuals. Using 3-day weighed food diaries from 10 previous studies, we assessed macronutrient intakes using dietary analysis software. Energy intakes trended greater in TRA compared with REC (p = .

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Article Synopsis
  • - The study explores the effectiveness of a new plant-based protein blend compared to whey protein in promoting myofibrillar protein synthesis (MyoPS) after resistance exercise, given that plant proteins typically have less favorable amino acid profiles.
  • - Ten resistance-trained young adults participated in a double-blind trial where they underwent leg exercises and ingested either whey protein or the plant blend, with blood and muscle samples collected to assess amino acid levels and MyoPS rates over several hours.
  • - Results showed that while plasma essential amino acid levels were higher after whey protein ingestion, the MyoPS rates after exercising and consuming either protein source were nearly identical, indicating the plant blend can be as effective as whey for muscle synthesis post-exercise
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Whole-body tissue protein turnover is regulated, in part, by the postprandial rise in plasma amino acid concentrations, although minimal data exist on the amino acid response following non-animal-derived protein consumption. We hypothesised that the ingestion of novel plant- and algae-derived dietary protein sources would elicit divergent plasma amino acid responses when compared with vegan- and animal-derived control proteins. Twelve healthy young (male (m)/female (f): 6/6; age: 22 ± 1 years) and 10 healthy older (m/f: 5/5; age: 69 ± 2 years) adults participated in a randomised, double-blind, cross-over trial.

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Background: Spirulina [SPIR] (cyanobacterium) and chlorella [CHLO] (microalgae) are foods rich in protein and essential amino acids; however, their capacity to stimulate myofibrillar protein synthesis (MyoPS) in humans remains unknown.

Objectives: We assessed the impact of ingesting SPIR and CHLO compared with an established high-quality nonanimal-derived dietary protein source (fungal-derived mycoprotein [MYCO]) on plasma amino acid concentrations, as well as resting and postexercise MyoPS rates in young adults.

Methods: Thirty-six healthy young adults (age: 22 ± 3 y; BMI: 23 ± 3 kg·m; male [m]/female [f], 18/18) participated in a randomized, double-blind, parallel-group trial.

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