Carla Prado is a Distinguished University Professor in the Department of Agricultural, Food and Nutritional Science at the University of Alberta, a Tier 1 Canada Research Chair in Integrative Nutrition, Body Composition, and Energy Metabolism, and Director of the Human Nutrition Research Unit (HNRU).
Cancer treatment places significant stress on the body and often leads to rapid muscle loss, which in turn leads to increased treatment side effects, delay recovery, lower quality of life, and may even affect survival. One of the most important factors influencing muscle health is protein intake. However, current protein recommendations for people with cancer are based on limited evidence.
Prado’s research project focuses on women with breast cancer who experience muscle loss and adverse changes in body composition. Her research aims to determine how much protein women actually need during chemotherapy, when nutritional demands are highest. The study will use a highly precise and minimally invasive method, allowing Prado and her collaborator, Professor Rajavel Elango of the University of British Columbia, to identify the level of protein intake required to meet the body’s needs. The results of the research will provide the first evidence-based estimates of protein requirements for women undergoing breast cancer treatment.
By improving nutritional guidance, Prado’s work has the potential to help preserve muscle, support recovery, and improve treatment tolerance and quality of life, strengthening the role of nutrition in cancer care in Canada and beyond.