Bone biomarker and inflammatory cytokine responses to short-term low energy availability with and without preserved protein intake: a randomized, controlled, multi-period, cross-over trial.

European journal of applied physiology·October 10, 2026·PMID 42859187

Why it matters

Short-term low energy availability, even with adequate protein, perturbs bone turnover and inflammation in active individuals. This challenges the assumption that protein preservation mitigates bone loss during caloric restriction, with implications for athletes, dieters, and those using GLP-1 therapies where energy intake is reduced.