A new randomized controlled trial published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition challenges a widespread assumption about protein supplementation and tissue repair. Researchers measured tissue turnover rates in older adults undergoing knee replacement surgery using heavy-water isotope tracers, discovering that skeletal muscle rebuilds completely in approximately three months, while bone requires up to 2.3 years and connective tissues between one and two years. Surprisingly, participants who consumed an additional 40 grams of whey protein daily for two weeks showed no acceleration in these tissue renewal rates compared to those maintaining their habitual diet. The findings suggest that while adequate protein intake remains essential for health, short-term supplementation beyond individual requirements does not expedite the body’s inherent tissue remodeling timeline. This evidence-based perspective may reshape nutritional recommendations for older adults.
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