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198 – Protein Maxxing

Aug 20, 2026

Protein maxxing is all the rage and the new dietary guidelines in the US recently doubled the recommended amount of protein intake. But will a high protein diet help you lose weight and will it really help you build more muscle?



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Hosts:     Christopher Labos & Sophie Tseng Pellar

Editor:    Robyn Flynn

Researcher: Auriane Journet

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Obviously, Chris is not your doctor (probably). This podcast is not medical advice for you; it is what we call information.



References:

 

  1. Clinthorne, J., Leidy, H. J., & Sollid, K. (2026). A Modern Take on Protein Nutrition Meets Evolving Consumer Perceptions. The Journal of nutrition, 156(5), 101477. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tjnut.2026.101477 

  2. Devries, M. C., Sithamparapillai, A., Brimble, K. S., Banfield, L., Morton, R. W., & Phillips, S. M. (2018). Changes in Kidney Function Do Not Differ between Healthy Adults Consuming Higher- Compared with Lower- or Normal-Protein Diets: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. The Journal of nutrition, 148(11), 1760–1775. https://doi.org/10.1093/jn/nxy197 

  3. Hägele, F. A., Herpich, C., Koop, J., Grübbel, J., Dörner, R., Fedde, S., Götze, O., Boirie, Y., Müller, M. J., Norman, K., & Bosy-Westphal, A. (2025). Short-term effects of high-protein, lower-carbohydrate ultra-processed foods on human energy balance. Nature metabolism, 7(4), 704–713. https://doi.org/10.1038/s42255-025-01247-4

  4. Health Canada. Canada's Dietary Guidelines for Health Professionals and Policy Makers. Government of Canada; 2019. canada.ca/en/health-canada/services/food-guide/explore/dietary-guidelines

  5. Helms, E. R., Aragon, A. A., & Fitschen, P. J. (2014). Evidence-based recommendations for natural bodybuilding contest preparation: nutrition and supplementation. Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition, 11, 20. https://doi.org/10.1186/1550-2783-11-20

  6. International Food Information Council. 2025 IFIC Food & Health Survey: The Full Report. January 2026. https://ific.org/research/2025-food-health-survey

  7. Jäger, R., Kerksick, C. M., Campbell, B. I., Cribb, P. J., Wells, S. D., Skwiat, T. M., Purpura, M., Ziegenfuss, T. N., Ferrando, A. A., Arent, S. M., Smith-Ryan, A. E., Stout, J. R., Arciero, P. J., Ormsbee, M. J., Taylor, L. W., Wilborn, C. D., Kalman, D. S., Kreider, R. B., Willoughby, D. S., Hoffman, J. R., … Antonio, J. (2017). International Society of Sports Nutrition Position Stand: protein and exercise. Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition, 14, 20. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12970-017-0177-8

  8. Leidy, H. J., Clifton, P. M., Astrup, A., Wycherley, T. P., Westerterp-Plantenga, M. S., Luscombe-Marsh, N. D., Woods, S. C., & Mattes, R. D. (2015). The role of protein in weight loss and maintenance. The American journal of clinical nutrition, 101(6), 1320S–1329S. https://doi.org/10.3945/ajcn.114.084038

  9. Morton, R. W., Murphy, K. T., McKellar, S. R., Schoenfeld, B. J., Henselmans, M., Helms, E., Aragon, A. A., Devries, M. C., Banfield, L., Krieger, J. W., & Phillips, S. M. (2018). A systematic review, meta-analysis and meta-regression of the effect of protein supplementation on resistance training-induced gains in muscle mass and strength in healthy adults. British Journal of Sports Medicine, 52(6), 376–384. https://doi.org/10.1136/bjsports-2017-097608

  10. Pasiakos SM, Davis TA, Klurfeld DM, Neuhouser ML, Rodriguez NR, Tomé D. Perspectives on the protein recommendations in the 2025-2030 Dietary Guidelines for Americans. J Nutr 2026.

  11. US Departments of Agriculture and Health and Human Services. Dietary Guidelines for Americans, 2025-2030.

  12. Wycherley TP, Moran LJ, Clifton PM, et al. Effects of energy-restricted high-protein, low-fat compared with standard-protein, low-fat diets: a meta-analysis of RCTs. Am J Clin Nutr 2012;96(6):1281-1298. doi:10.3945/ajcn.112.044321