The Claim
Insulin increases net muscle protein balance by 20.09 nmol (100 ml leg vol.)⁻¹ min⁻¹ in healthy humans, primarily through suppression of muscle protein breakdown rather than stimulation of muscle protein synthesis, under physiological conditions.
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.
In healthy humans, insulin raises the net balance of muscle protein by 20.09 nmol per 100 ml of leg volume per minute by reducing the rate at which muscle protein is broken down, not by increasing the rate of muscle protein production.
See the scientific wording
Insulin increases net muscle protein balance by 20.09 nmol (100 ml leg vol.)⁻¹ min⁻¹ in healthy humans, primarily through suppression of breakdown rather than stimulation of synthesis, indicating it promotes muscle retention under physiological conditions.
Insulin binds to muscle cells and turns on a signaling chain that shuts down the cellular machinery responsible for breaking down proteins. This stops muscle proteins from being destroyed, which keeps more protein in the muscle. Insulin does not make more protein unless amino acids are in high supply, but it always stops breakdown.
What the research says
1 studyInsulin helps muscles keep their protein mainly by stopping them from breaking down, not by making them build more — and this study proves it with real numbers from human muscles.
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.