A single bout of strenuous exercise overcomes lipid-induced anabolic resistance to protein ingestion in overweight, middle-aged men

What is it about?

In a group of middle-aged, overweight, yet otherwise healthy male subjects, we have shown for the first time that high-circulating fat levels, induced by an intravenous infusion of lipid, causes 'resistance' to the muscle growth-promoting effects of protein nutrition. However, we found that these effects can be effectively 'rescued' by simply performing a strenuous session of exercise at the onset of the lipid infusion. Our findings have broad implications for a large proportion of the population that are overweight and physically inactive. These individuals are deemed 'at-risk' for the development of a condition termed sarcopenic-obesity, which involves the detrimental synergy of age-associated muscle loss (sarcopenia) and excess fat mass (obesity). We believe that the combination of regular exercise with protein nutrition are feasible, non-pharmacological strategies that should be employed throughout the lifespan to combat the health risks associated with muscle loss and obesity, which combined, impose a mounting burden on the Healthcare system.

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