The Claim
In healthy, young women, a high-protein, low-fat diet results in a significantly greater nitrogen balance (7.6 ± 0.9 gN/day) compared to a high-carbohydrate, low-fat diet (-0.4 ± 0.5 gN/day), indicating higher protein retention.
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.
Healthy young women on a high-protein, low-fat diet retain more protein than those on a high-carbohydrate, low-fat diet, as measured by nitrogen balance.
See the scientific wording
Nitrogen balance is significantly greater on a high-protein, low-fat diet (7.6 ± 0.9 gN/day) than on a high-carbohydrate, low-fat diet (-0.4 ± 0.5 gN/day) in healthy, young women, indicating greater protein retention.
When more protein is eaten, the body breaks down extra amino acids to make energy, which creates ammonia. The liver turns that ammonia into urea using a lot of energy, and this process keeps the amino acids from being lost. The body also uses those amino acids to build new proteins instead of breaking them down, so more nitrogen stays in the body.
What the research says
1 studyWhen women ate more protein and fewer carbs, their bodies kept more protein instead of breaking it down and losing it — like holding onto building blocks instead of throwing them away.
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.