The people, who constantly consume more calories, than are burnt in their body, and eat little protein, lose muscle mass each day and accumulate fat faster.
The study, whose results have been recently published in the Journal of the American Medical Association, involved 25 people. They were placed in a carefully guarded (for the security of the experiment) research center for three months. During this time, men and women consumed 1,000 calories more than required to maintain a stable weight, but at the same time their diets contained different amounts of protein.
The representatives of the first group, whose extra ration by 90% consisted of fat, lost an average of 700 grams of muscle mass, whereas the participants of the second and third groups, whose diets contained normal and high amounts of protein, increased their muscle mass for the average 2.7 or 3.1 kilos respectively.
The results of this study refute the old myth about protein diets. It has been believed that increasing or decreasing the amount of protein, you can gain and lose fat. The truth is that you will lose muscle mass, rather than fat, which is especially bad for older people.
The daily recommended rate of protein is 46 grams for women and 56 grams for men. However, the experts say this amount is very approximate and is capable of maintaining muscle mass in some people, but not everyone. It is necessary that one should use up to 78 grams of protein a day, to provide the complete “nourishment for the muscles,” and control the appetite. You can rely on low-fat foods – white meat, cheese, yogurt, and ocean fish – since they are high in protein.
