Energy balance
In individuals with MASLD undergoing ~30% caloric restriction, resistance training preserves skeletal muscle mass and improves functional strength, whereas adding whey protein supplementation (1.5 g/kg/day) provides no additional benefit over resistance training alone (0.8 g/kg/day).
If you have MASLD and are cutting calories significantly, focus on resistance training and getting adequate protein (around 0.8 g/kg/day). Adding extra whey protein (up to 1.5 g/kg/day) does not provide extra muscle or strength benefits in this specific scenario. The energy deficit blunts the potential synergy of high protein and exercise.
In individuals with MASLD undergoing severe CR, ≥0.8 g·kg−1·day−1 of protein preserves skeletal muscle mass. However, the anabolic synergy of resistance training and protein for functional adaptation appears to be blunted by the substantial energy deficit.
Why this rating
Randomized controlled trial with double-blinding, but small sample size (n=45) and short duration (4 weeks) limit generalizability.
Source
Independent and Combined Effects of Resistance Training and Whey Protein on Skeletal Muscle Mass and Function in Individuals with MASLD Under Caloric Restriction
Chae Been Kim et al. · Nutrients · 2025
DOI 10.3390/nu18010083
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