ABSTRACT
Dietary protein, which is comprised of individual amino acids, is a critical component towards the maintenance or enhancement of skeletal muscle mass. The maintenance of muscle mass, and the ability in which to accrue additional muscle, is based on the extent of protein turnover and can be regulated through dietary protein intake and mechanotransduction involved with resistance exercise and training. The process of protein digestion is a critical component relative to amino acid bioavailability. The rates of bioavailability for various protein sources commonly used in exercise and sport nutrition have been compared. The human body maintains a transient “pool” of amino acids during the course of each day and represents approximately 2% of the total amino acids in the body of a 70 kg individual. The transiency and flux of the amino acid pool highlights the nature of whole-body protein turnover and net protein balance.
