The New Protein Math
Getting enough can add up to increased muscle mass.
If you’re pumping iron to build muscle, be sure to have plenty of protein on their plates. A study in The Journal of Nutrition found that a daily protein intake equaling 2 grams per kilogram of body weight maximized lean body mass anabolism (i.e., muscle growth) in seven resistance-trained men (ages 21–27). So if the goal is to increase muscle mass, a 170-pound person could benefit from eating up to 154 g of protein. That’s in the upper range of current protein guidelines for athletes.
It’s yet to be determined whether women and older individuals need as much protein as the men in this study.
Matthew Kadey, MS, RD
Matthew Kadey, MS, RD, is a James Beard Award–winning food journalist, dietitian and author of the cookbook Rocket Fuel: Power-Packed Food for Sport + Adventure (VeloPress 2016). He has written for dozens of magazines, including Runner’s World, Men’s Health, Shape, Men’s Fitness and Muscle and Fitness.
