Why does it matter if the calories come from protein or carbs or fat?

[JimF]

I've seen some great diet advice here and have actually changed my eating habits based on advice here. Thanks for all the great information.

But, I have a basic diet question. Please don't flame me, I see a lot of great diet information, but I've never had it explained WHY higher or lower protein diets are helpful. When I was in college it was explained to me that a calorie is a calorie is a calorie.. it all breaks down to glucose where it is either used or then repackaged in to glycogen and eventually fat.

So, by way of illustrating my question. Suppose there were 3 clones on 3 diets of 5000 calories a day and suppose they wanted to put on muscle mass.

Clone 1: 20/60/20 (protein/carbs/fat)
Clone 2: 50/30/20
Clone 3: IV drip of glucose, doesn't eat food.

All 3 clones are on vitamins and nutritional supplements as needed and are identical in every way besides diet. I realize natural vitamins and nutrients may be easier to absorb than supplements, but I am under the impression it isn't that big a deal. And, I realize that "good" food seems more filling and junk food makes it easier to go over your target caloric intake, but let's assume all 3 clones hit 5000 exactly each day.

If all 3 have identical workout plans and all 3 have identical caloric intakes, will there actually be a large difference in the muscle gains?

I am curious to know why calories from protein seem to facilitate muscle gains more than calories from other sources? Don't they all break down to the same thing before the body uses them?

Thanks in advance. This is my first post here so be kind! And thanks for all the awesome info here.. I've already changed my diet and workouts, and I assume there is a legitimate answer to this question, and am curious to hear thoughts.

 

[shainesboostin]

Proteins turn to amino's?

 

[Mrs P]

I've seen some great diet advice here and have actually changed my eating habits based on advice here. Thanks for all the great information.

But, I have a basic diet question. Please don't flame me, I see a lot of great diet information, but I've never had it explained WHY higher or lower protein diets are helpful. When I was in college it was explained to me that a calorie is a calorie is a calorie.. it all breaks down to glucose where it is either used or then repackaged in to glycogen and eventually fat.

So, by way of illustrating my question. Suppose there were 3 clones on 3 diets of 5000 calories a day and suppose they wanted to put on muscle mass.

Clone 1: 20/60/20 (protein/carbs/fat)
Clone 2: 50/30/20
Clone 3: IV drip of glucose, doesn't eat food.

All 3 clones are on vitamins and nutritional supplements as needed and are identical in every way besides diet. I realize natural vitamins and nutrients may be easier to absorb than supplements, but I am under the impression it isn't that big a deal. And, I realize that "good" food seems more filling and junk food makes it easier to go over your target caloric intake, but let's assume all 3 clones hit 5000 exactly each day.

If all 3 have identical workout plans and all 3 have identical caloric intakes, will there actually be a large difference in the muscle gains?

I am curious to know why calories from protein seem to facilitate muscle gains more than calories from other sources? Don't they all break down to the same thing before the body uses them?

Thanks in advance. This is my first post here so be kind! And thanks for all the awesome info here.. I've already changed my diet and workouts, and I assume there is a legitimate answer to this question, and am curious to hear thoughts.

In simple terms one can say that yes, a "calorie is a calorie" ...This would mean that carbs, fat and protein calories are equal in terms of their effect on body weight... and most that argue this claim say that (as long as one is getting enough of each to meet one***8217;s basic health needs) then, all that matters is the total number of calories consumed, regardless weather they come from fat, carbs, protein.

Carbs, fat and protein calories are equal by definition in terms of their energy content, but, the body processes each in a fifferent way, so it's not what u eat, but rather how your body processes & reacts to what u eat..

SO, a calorie is not just a calorie, since cals of all types may have very different effects on the body depending on when they are eaten and what they are eaten with.... and the energy cost to metabolize fat, carbs and protein is different..

So Clone 1, 2, 3 while consuming the "same amount of calories" will all have different results...not to mention the lack of protein and the effect this will have on their ability to maintain and replace their tissues (like muscle) in their body..