Nutrition
Muscle Protein Balance
Muscle protein balance is synthesis minus breakdown over time—positive balance supports growth when training and protein feedings keep pace.
Muscle protein balance is the net result of muscle protein synthesis minus muscle protein breakdown over time. Resistance training and protein feeding raise synthesis; fasting and inactivity raise breakdown.
Positive balance across days supports hypertrophy; negative balance during aggressive deficits risks lean loss. Sleep and total calories modulate the equation.
Common questions
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Can you be in positive muscle protein balance during a cut?
Briefly after meals yes, but weekly net lean mass often still falls if deficit and breakdown are high. High protein and resistance training minimize loss; they rarely add muscle on steep cuts.
Related terms
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