| Trekkers exposed to prolonged hypobaric hypoxia commonly experience weight loss, especially loss of lean body mass (LBM). Evidence indicates that protein supplementation, specifically leucine, potentially attenuates loss of LBM in a catabolic state. This study investigated if leucine supplementation would prevent the loss of LBM during prolonged hypoxia. 18 trekkers (M=10 and F=8; age: 47.2 ± 11.5; range: 28-70y), completed a 13-day trek in Nepal from Lukla (2180m) to Everest Base Camp (5364m) with a mean altitude of 4140m. Participants consumed a 7.0g leucine supplement or an isocaloric, isonitrogenous placebo twice daily prior to meals. Body composition, body weight, and circumferences of bicep, thigh, and calf were taken pre- and post-trek. The participants from both treatments experienced significant loss of LBM and weight loss after 13 days at altitudes above 2810m (P< 0.05). However, there was no difference in loss of LBM (leucine -1.2 ± 1.6% placebo -2.1 ± 1.5%), body weight (leucine -2.2 ± 1.5%; placebo -2.3 ± 2.0%), or circumferences between the groups. Overall, our results indicate that under the conditions of this study, leucine did not significantly reduce LBM loss during 13 days of altitude-induced hypoxia. This study was funded by Glanbia Nutritionals. |
