Smith GI, et al. - Experts sought to discern the effectiveness of high protein (particularly leucine-rich whey protein) intake on the muscle mass and strength of middle-aged (50-65 years old) postmenopausal women with obesity. Enrollees were randomized to (1) weight maintenance (WM), (2) weight loss and the recommended daily allowance for protein (0.8 g/kg/d) (WL group) or (3) weight loss plus whey protein supplementation (total protein: 1.2-g/kg/d) (WL-PS group). Findings reported that a 5% weight loss caused a greater decrease in thigh muscle volume in the WL group than the WL-PS group. The inference yielded was that whey protein supplementation during diet-induced weight loss did not demonstrate clinically important therapeutic effects on muscle mass or strength in middle-aged postmenopausal women with obesity.