PROTEIN SPARING ACTION

Adequate amount of carbohydrates and fats in the diet ensure that protein is used for muscle building and repair rather for energy purposes. In low carb diet, there are chances of loss of lean body mass ,and proteins are broken down to amino acids which are used as energy source by the body. Fats are less efficient than carbohydrates at sparing  protein.

The following are the ways in which carb spare protein:-

1. Metabolic products of carbohydrates help in formation of non essential amino acids by transamination   reactions. Example: pyruvate is converted to alanine by alanine transaminase.

2. Carbohydrates reduce the need for gluconeogenesis from amino acids.

3. Carbohydrates and fat are oxidized to provide energy ,thus sparing proteins from being used to provide energy to the body.

Practical application: Athletes cannot go on low carb, high protein diet as there are chances of losing lean body mass. Since carb will be low , amino acids will be used to provide energy. Hence in their diet carb form an essential component which will spare the protein to help in building and repair of muscles.