Dietary Influence on Muscle Protein Synthesis and Hypertrophy

Skeletal muscle plays a critical role in metabolic and physical health. The size and quality of skeletal muscle decline with advancing age, which may interact with other chronic conditions and have serious health consequences. Thus, an effort should be made throughout the lifespan to increase the amount and quality of skeletal muscle. Muscle mass is dictated by fluctuations in muscle protein synthesis and muscle protein breakdown, both of which can be influenced by a number of external stimuli. Crucially, the most effective strategy to enhance skeletal muscle mass is through consumption of protein and contractile loading. The manipulation of dietary practices, in particular protein feeding, may offer an effective strategy to enhance acute muscle protein synthesis, and with persistent practice promote muscular hypertrophy. In this chapter, we explore different feeding strategies focused on maximizing muscle protein synthesis and muscle protein accretion.