James Rutherford
Academic and research departments
Department of Nutrition, Food and Exercise Sciences, Section of Sport, Health and Exercise Sciences, Institute for Sustainability.About
James has a BSc (Hons) in Sport and Exercise Science, specialising in sports performance and an MSc in Sport and Exercise Nutrition. James began his career in the fitness industry but soon transitioned into sports science practice. He spent time as a Body Composition Consultant at a medical clinic in the City of London, utilising x-ray scanning technology (DEXA) to assess body composition. He then entered academia, taking up a research technician position at the University of Exeter, investigating novel ergogenic aids for exercise performance and recovery. After which he took up a teaching technician role in physiology at London Metropolitan University. James joined the University of Surrey in October 2023 to undertake a PhD, investigating the potential of insect protein as a sustainable protein source for supporting human skeletal muscle. He's a Fellow of the Institute for Sustainability at the University of Surrey.
My qualifications
Affiliations and memberships
ResearchResearch interests
James’ research interests lie in the area of nutritional physiology, with a specific focus on dietary protein intake and skeletal muscle adaptation, especially amongst older people. Sustainable protein is a particular interest of his. With the production of animal protein coming at a significant environmental cost, James hopes to discover alternative protein sources that provide the same benefits to skeletal muscle as their animal counterparts. James is also interested in evidence-based bodybuilding, exercise immunology and nutritional strategies for ground close combat soldiers.
Research interests
James’ research interests lie in the area of nutritional physiology, with a specific focus on dietary protein intake and skeletal muscle adaptation, especially amongst older people. Sustainable protein is a particular interest of his. With the production of animal protein coming at a significant environmental cost, James hopes to discover alternative protein sources that provide the same benefits to skeletal muscle as their animal counterparts. James is also interested in evidence-based bodybuilding, exercise immunology and nutritional strategies for ground close combat soldiers.
Teaching
James’ teaching interests include exercise physiology and performance nutrition. His specialist areas include body composition assessment, metabolic testing, protein metabolism, bodybuilding/physique competition and military nutrition.
Sustainable development goals
My research interests are related to the following:
Publications
Context: A global shift towards sustainable food sources is emerging due to the immense environmental pressure from producing animal foods. Insects present a novel source of sustainable dietary protein due to their high protein content and favorable amino acid profile. Objectives: The aim of this systematic review was to establish the effects of insects compared to animal protein on skeletal muscle anabolism and adaptation. This review also aimed to explore the usefulness of insects for supporting the protein needs of population groups with high protein requirements. Data Sources: Database searches were performed using the search terms edible insects and insect protein; plus, key words human health, exercise, anabolic response, muscle protein synthesis, skeletal muscle, muscle adaptation, lean mass, bioavailability. Studies had to be randomized controlled trials using adult human participants (>18 yrs) and measure protein bioavailability, anabolic response, or skeletal muscle adaptation, with direct comparison between insect and animal protein. Data Extraction: Four studies (n = 100 participants) were included in the review. Of the two studies which assessed only postprandial blood amino acid concentration, one reported higher aminoacidaemia from cricket compared to beef protein ingestion and the other reported higher aminoacidaemia from whey compared to lesser mealworm protein ingestion. Two studies also directly assessed the postprandial skeletal muscle anabolic response following exercise. Both reported lower peak plasma amino acid concentration from cricket or lesser mealworm protein compared to whey or milk protein, but there was no difference in skeletal muscle anabolism between the insect and animal protein sources. Conclusion: Insects are a viable protein source which can likely support skeletal muscle anabolism to the same extent as conventional animal protein but with a considerably lower environmental impact. Insects could be an effective protein source to facilitate skeletal muscle during challenging life circumstances or physically demanding occupations.