Protein & Muscle: The Research on Preserving Lean Mass While Losing Weight

Why muscle preservation is the hidden goal of weight loss

Losing weight too fast loses muscle with it — and muscle is your metabolic engine. The high-protein diet literature is remarkably consistent: higher protein preserves fat-free mass, keeps resting energy expenditure up, and cuts weight regain by 50–64% after the loss phase. The trial results below summarize eight studies and two meta-analyses.

Protein & Muscle: The Research on Preserving Lean Mass While Losing Weight

How to apply it

Pair any medical weight-loss program with a protein target (roughly 1.6–2.2 g/kg of body weight), resistance training, and a provider who tracks body composition — not just the scale. Get matched with a local program that measures what matters.

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