Grant: Project Grant

Amino acids, which are the building blocks of protein, are an important part of a human's diet for daily outcomes and long term-health. The nutritional importance of dietary protein is to provide the 20 amino acids that are needed for tissue building, and other body functions. Of the 20 amino acids, 9 are considered nutritionally essential because the body cannot make them, so they must be obtained from the diet. Currently the amino acid requirements for young adult females of reproductive age are based on studies done in males. Yet males and females are different in their body's make up and in the way it functions. For example, the menstrual cycle is a key difference between males and females which impacts the female body's function and health. Nutritional needs and therefore, amino acid requirements change over the different timepoints in the menstrual cycle, but has not been studied properly. The objective of this study is to measure 4 important essential amino acid needs in females during the two phases of the menstrual cycle. Our results will allow specific dietary guidelines to be provided for females to meet nutritional needs when eating plant protein foods. Canada's Food Guide recommends a mainly plant-based diet, and there has been an increased interest in plant-based protein sources. But plant proteins are low in essential amino acids. Our study is important to help with planning diets rich in plant foods, and in assessing diets to ensure the required amounts of amino acids are present to maintain adequate female health.