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Protein Turnover

Meaning

Protein Turnover is the continuous, simultaneous process of protein synthesis, where new proteins are created, and protein degradation, where old or damaged proteins are broken down into amino acids. This dynamic balance is essential for cellular homeostasis, tissue remodeling, and adaptation to physiological stress, ensuring that the body’s structural and enzymatic components are constantly refreshed. Hormonal status, particularly the balance between anabolic hormones like growth hormone and testosterone and catabolic hormones like cortisol, profoundly regulates the rate of protein turnover. A positive turnover balance is critical for maintaining lean body mass, which is a hallmark of health and longevity.