Clinical Research Directory

Protein Complementation of Plant-based Diets.

Amino acids are the building blocks of proteins which are needed by the body for growth, and bodily functions. If even one amino acid is in short supply, this will negatively affect growth and various functions in the body. Animal foods like meat, fish and chicken contain all the amino acids needed by the body in the correct proportion. These foods are considered high quality protein foods. However plant proteins like lentils, wheat, rice are low in at least one amino acid. This means that plant proteins are considered low quality proteins. Data from the investigators lab and others show that when eating plant foods, combining grains and legumes like rice and beans, peanut butter and bread, (protein complementation) will provide a complete protein which contains all the amino acids needed by the body. However, some maintain that it is not necessary to combine foods like grains and legumes in the same meal as long as all the amino acids are consumed within a 24h period. This has never been tested. The goal of this study is to compare the effects non-complementation to protein complementization on whole body protein metabolism in young and older adults.