"Protein Utilization in Muscle After Undereating"

This question was just recently posed in our Forum regarding my last blog entry:

"I've just finished reading the "Starvation Mode" blog mentioned in the newsletter from Ori. In it, Ori states the following, something which he has mentioned many times: 'Protein utilization in the muscle, after fasting or undereating, increases by twofold.' I believe this to be true, but is there actual empirical data pertaining to humans that verifies this assertion? Just curious. And if so, does this imply that consuming 100 grams of protein following a 20 hour fast is assimilated by the body in such a fashion that this portion of food actually equals 200 grams of protein?"

I've addressed these questions already in my protein articles (see Protein and the Rule of Three - Parts 1 - 4). Studies on the effects of fasting and low protein intake on protein utilization have shown clearly that not only does protein utilization increase dramatically, but surprisingly, there is also an inhibition of protein breakdown in the working muscles. Much of the database came from studies by the Food and Agricultural Organization during the '70s and later on in various universities worldwide. More information and references in Maximum Muscle, Minimum Fat – North Atlantic Books, coming next spring. As for the practical terms, I believe that when properly incorporating meals right after undereating or fasting and exercise, one can utilize twice as much protein from the meal than otherwise. (see more information in my Recovery Meal article).