Calculation & Generation Results
About This Tool
Compare digestible indispensable amino acid scores (DIAAS) and PDCAAS across whey, casein, eggs, beef, soy, pea, and rice protein sources to calculate true digestible protein yield.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between DIAAS and PDCAAS?
The older PDCAAS truncated scores at 1.00 and measured fecal digestibility, erroneously equating soy with eggs. The modern FAO standard DIAAS measures true ileal amino acid absorption at the end of the small intestine, proving whey (1.33) and dairy are superior to plant proteins.
What is the leucine trigger for muscle protein synthesis (mTOR)?
Exercise physiology studies demonstrate that approximately 2.7 to 3.5 grams of the essential branched-chain amino acid Leucine are required per meal to maximally trigger the mTOR intracellular muscle protein synthesis pathway.
Why does rice protein have a low DIAAS score?
Rice protein is severely deficient in the essential amino acid Lysine (DIAAS: 0.47). To achieve an optimal muscle-building response on a plant diet, rice protein must be blended with lysine-rich pea protein (which is conversely low in methionine).
Does eating 30 grams of plant protein deliver 30 grams of usable amino acids?
No. Due to anti-nutritional factors (phytates, tannins, fiber matrix) and incomplete amino acid ratios, plant proteins with a DIAAS of 0.60 to 0.70 require consuming 40% to 50% more total grams to match the systemic absorption of whey or egg protein.