EAAs vs. Food

[JonnyRockets]

Sup Doc,

Would a dose of essential amino acids (EAAs) provide the same protein and/or muscle protein synthesis (MPS) response as the equivalent dose of whey/food?

For example, is a 10g scoop of EAAs equal to a 30g scoop of whey in terms of MPS (or any other benefit of protein)?

In theory could one eat only carbohydrates and fats, and take a dose of EAAs 3-5 times a day and get the same outcome as someone consuming a diet containing similar doses of ‘food protein’? Would there be any health downsides to this? (Other than it being a miserable experience/potential fat gain due to lack of satiety.)

I am not considering doing this, just so you know.

[Jordan_Feigenbaum]

@JonnyRockets

Sup Doc,

Would a dose of essential amino acids (EAAs) provide the same protein and/or muscle protein synthesis (MPS) response as the equivalent dose of whey/food?

Yes.

@JonnyRockets

For example, is a 10g scoop of EAAs equal to a 30g scoop of whey in terms of MPS (or any other benefit of protein)?

Provided the EAA content is the same, it’d be pretty close. The total calorie difference can have some influence under different conditions, but this is not something I’d factor in when designing a diet.

@JonnyRockets

In theory could one eat only carbohydrates and fats, and take a dose of EAAs 3-5 times a day and get the same outcome as someone consuming a diet containing similar doses of ‘food protein’? .

Yes.

@JonnyRockets

Would there be any health downsides to this? (Other than it being a miserable experience/potential fat gain due to lack of satiety.)

I am not considering doing this, just so you know.

Sure. You’d never get to eat a tasty steak, you’d spend more on supplements than real food, and you’d be artificially constrained to a very rigid diet.