Young men who drank a β-lactoglobulin protein shake had higher blood leucine levels over time than those who drank regular whey protein, but their muscles built protein at the same rate.

Scientific Claim

In 10 young healthy males, a single 10 g dose of β-lactoglobulin resulted in a 35% higher plasma leucine area under the curve (19,954 vs. 14,762 μM·min, p=0.007) compared to whey protein isolate, despite similar stimulation of skeletal muscle protein synthesis rates.

Original Statement

“Plasma EAA, branched-chain amino acid (BCAA), and LEU concentrations increased rapidly following both protein supplements but exhibited a significantly greater EAA/BCAA/leucinemia following BLG (p < 0.05 for all). MPS increased significantly in both FED (~52%) and FED-EX (~58%) states, with no significant differences between supplements.”

From study:The Effect of Leucine-Enriched β-Lactoglobulin Versus an Isonitrogenous Whey Protein Isolate on Skeletal Muscle Protein Anabolism in Young Healthy Males

Evidence Quality Assessment

Claim Status

appropriately stated

Study Design Support

Design supports claim

Appropriate Language Strength

definitive

Can make definitive causal claims

Assessment Explanation

The randomized controlled trial design with direct measurements allows definitive causal claims about the observed differences.

Evidence from Studies

Supporting (1)

The Effect of Leucine-Enriched β-Lactoglobulin Versus an Isonitrogenous Whey Protein Isolate on Skeletal Muscle Protein Anabolism in Young Healthy Males

Randomized Controlled Trial

Human

2025 Oct 30

Contradicting (0)

No contradicting evidence found

Source Study

The Effect of Leucine-Enriched β-Lactoglobulin Versus an Isonitrogenous Whey Protein Isolate on Skeletal Muscle Protein Anabolism in Young Healthy Males

Score: 58

DOI: 10.3390/nu17213410

Similar Assertions

When young men consumed β-lactoglobulin, their blood leucine levels peaked higher than when they consumed regular whey protein.

93%

Young men who drank β-lactoglobulin had higher levels of branched-chain and essential amino acids in their blood over time compared to those who drank regular whey protein.

89%

Both types of protein shakes boosted muscle protein building similarly in young men, whether they were resting or exercising after drinking them.

88%

Even though these protein shakes had less amino acids than previously thought necessary, they still effectively boosted muscle protein building in young men.

88%

When rats ate a larger dose of regular whey protein, their blood had more leucine than when they ate the same amount of hydrolyzed whey protein an hour later.

77%