Ketone plus protein after workouts to see if it helps keep and build muscle in young men

Is this trial a fit for you?

A plain-English reading of the study's rules. Only the study team can confirm whether you qualify.

What this trial studies

In this randomized, double-blind crossover trial, healthy men aged 18-35 will perform resistance exercise followed by either ketone monoester plus protein or protein alone. The study will measure phenylalanine metabolism, plasma amino acids, insulin, glucose, beta-hydroxybutyrate, and whole-body myofibrillar protein breakdown. Each participant experiences both treatment conditions, separated by a washout period, to compare effects on protein retention after exercise. A standardized diet and overnight fasting are used before trial sessions to control external factors. The investigation aims to determine if ketone co-ingestion with protein post-exercise enhances muscle protein retention compared with protein alone.

Why it matters

Who can join: the full rules

Inclusion Criteria:

* Adult male aged 18-35 at time of initial screening.
* Generally healthy (no uncontrolled diseases or conditions) as determined by health history, and if necessary, physician clearance.
* BMI between 18.5 and 30 kg·m-2 (inclusive) at time of initial screening.
* Maintenance of a stable body weight for at least 3 months prior to participation and willingness to maintain this weight during the duration of this study
* Maintained stable use of medication and supplements (which are not limited by the exclusion criteria), and stable dietary and lifestyle habits for the last 3 months prior to screening and agree to maintain them throughout the study
* Minimum 6 months of resistance training experience with a minimum of 2 sessions/week
* Able and willing to understand and agree to the requirements and restrictions of this study and provide written informed consent

Exclusion Criteria:

* Presence of cardiovascular, metabolic, renal, hepatic, neuromuscular, or gastrointestinal disease that could interfere with study participation or data interpretation or make the resistance training unsafe
* History of severe cardiovascular events (myocardial infarction, stroke, severe hypertension)
* Any musculoskeletal injury that would prevent completion of the resistance exercise protocol
* Ketone supplementation or adherence to a ketogenic diet
* Use of medication known to influence protein metabolism
* Participation in a stable-isotope tracer study in the past 6 months
* Tobacco/nicotine use
* Undergoing exercise sessions more than 5 days/week.
* Metal implants
* Paralysis, limb loss, or congenital or acquired absence of skeletal muscle
* Individuals with Phenylketonuria (PKU)
* Dairy allergy or lactose intolerance

Where it's running

• Exercise metabolism and Nutrition research Laboratory
  Montreal, Quebec, Canada Recruiting

Study contacts

• Principal investigator: Tyler A Churchward-Venne, Ph.D — McGill University
• Study coordinator: Tyler A Churchward-Venne, Ph.D
• Email: tyler.churchward-venne@mcgill.ca
• Phone: 514-399-9684

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How to take part

1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
2. Check the official listing on ClinicalTrials.gov for the latest contact details and recruitment status.
3. Contact the study coordinator or principal investigator to ask for pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.