The Claim
In overweight postmenopausal women undergoing a 12-week energy-restricted diet, a high-protein intake of 1.5 g/kg/day does not significantly preserve fat-free mass or resting energy expenditure compared to a normal-protein intake of 0.8 g/kg/day.
What the research says
Supports is higher
Support is ahead, but a single strong opposing study can change this.
These are independent scores, not a percentage. Higher-grade studies count more, so a single strong opposing study can outweigh several weaker ones.
Among overweight women after menopause who are losing weight on a reduced-calorie diet, consuming more protein (1.5 grams per kilogram of body weight per day) does not prevent loss of muscle mass or reduce the drop in resting calorie burn compared to consuming less protein (0.8 grams per kilogram per day).
See the scientific wording
In overweight postmenopausal women undergoing a 12-week energy-restricted diet, a high-protein intake of 1.5 g/kg/day does not significantly preserve fat-free mass or resting energy expenditure compared to a normal-protein intake of 0.8 g/kg/day, indicating that increased protein alone, without exercise, is insufficient to mitigate lean tissue loss during weight loss in this population.
When the body burns more energy than it takes in, muscle tissue breaks down even if more protein is eaten, because the lack of overall energy stops the body from building or keeping muscle, no matter how much protein is available.
What the research says
1 studyFor overweight women over 50 losing weight by eating less, eating more protein didn’t stop them from losing muscle or burning fewer calories at rest—same as eating the usual amount. So more protein alone isn’t enough to protect muscle during weight loss.
Score breakdown, mechanism chain, raw evidence, ideal studies needed & 1 supporting studies
Not medical advice. For informational purposes only. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before making health decisions.