Macro partitioning
High protein intake combined with physical rehabilitation improves muscle mass retention and functional recovery in patients undergoing ACL reconstruction.
If you are recovering from ACL surgery, ensure your diet includes adequate protein alongside your physical therapy. This combination is associated with better muscle retention and functional recovery, though more high-quality research is needed to define exact dosages.
Protein intake was associated with improved muscle mass retention and functional recovery.
Why this rating
Based on observational studies and RCTs, but the review notes serious risk of bias and critical issues in the majority of studies.
Source
Nutrition and rehabilitation after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction: A systematic review
Shaniya Raghoebar et al. · Knee Surgery Sports Traumatology Arthroscopy · 2026
DOI 10.1002/ksa.70441
More from this paper
- Correcting vitamin D insufficiency (levels < 30 ng/mL) may be warranted to prevent greater quadriceps muscle loss and support genomic recovery processes after ACL reconstruction.Moderate
- Supplementation with flaxseed oil (omega-3 fatty acids) and leucine shows some promise for improving recovery outcomes after ACL reconstruction, but high-quality evidence is lacking.Limited
- Vitamin C and E supplementation (200 IU E and 1000 mg C daily) does not significantly improve functional outcomes, graft rupture rates, or inflammatory markers after ACL reconstruction.Limited
Related findings · Macro partitioning
- Total daily protein intake of 1.6 g/kg/day is sufficient for maximizing resistance training-induced muscle gains, with an upper confidence interval of 2.2 g/kg/day.Strong
- Resistance exercise training combined with sufficient dietary protein intake acts synergistically to maximize skeletal muscle hypertrophy, with protein intake saturating around 1.6 g/kg/day for general populations and potentially requiring 2.0-2.2 g/kg/day for resistance-trained individuals.Strong
- Trans fats should be completely eliminated from the diet, as they increase LDL cholesterol, decrease HDL cholesterol, and are directly associated with increased coronary risk.Strong
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