Nutritional Whey Protein

Where does whey protein come from?
Of the many protein sources out there, whey protein is the most beneficial. It comes from milk. During the process of turning milk into cheese, whey protein is taken out. It is found in a variety of foods: mostly meats, fish, beef, and chicken. Dairy products along with eggs, cottage cheese, soy and vegetable protein also contain good amounts of protein. Whey protein contains the highest value in providing branched-chain amino acids, which result in building and maintaining muscle tissue.

What does it do?
Whey protein is amazing stuff. It provides the body with the needed building blocks to produce amino acids that are used for building muscle tissue. Most bodybuilders know the importance of protein supplementation.

Who needs this nutritional need and why?
Whey protein is extremely important for bodybuilders, dieters, and everyone in between. Because bodybuilders and athletes work out often, protein levels become reduced so low that protein intake is a necessity. Protein is a direct precursor to building muscle and essential amino acids, such as glutamine. The content from high quality whey protein can and will help one's muscles to recover and grow faster. With dieting and fat burn whey protein can be very useful. A good intake of protein balances blood sugar levels, while carbohydrates cause blood sugar levels to fluctuate. When the blood sugar levels stay balanced, one is not as prone to constant eating and has more energy and increased fat loss. Whey protein allows a person to control there diet effectively. Protein is naturally found in many food items. With no shortages in varieties of food in America, deficiency is usually not a problem.

How much protein should be taken and how often?
Bodybuilders and athletes often consume 25 grams of whey protein per day. Bodybuilders who want serious gains generally consume 150 grams per day. Extremely high doses of whey protein is not recommended. High doses will cause the body's liver to be overloaded and you won't get the same benefits as with a consistent lower amount taken three to five times per day. It's important to maintain a positive nitrogen balance throughout the day, so it's essential to spread your protein intake over the entire day. Taking in more than 30 grams at once is not advisable because of its short-lived half-life. Casein in milk protein slows down the digestion of the whey protein, which may give it more time to absorb. The equation for determining the right amount per day is as follows:
{approx. 1gram per lb. of body weight}.

Nutritional Studies:General
They have found that whey protein contains the precise combination of amino acids needed for optimal performance within the body. Both hormonal and cellular responses seem to be enhanced with supplementation of whey protein. Whey protein also plays a role as an antioxidant and an immune system builder. This information is based on documented scientific research. Consistent whey protein intake along with exercise will provide consistent muscle building.

Recent Nutritional Studies
(Study from Ball State)
Protein intake of approx. 0.88 grams per pound of body weight resulted in increased prevention of overtraining. Seventeen weight-trained men were put on a four week program were they did 8-12 rep maxes for three sets, eight exercises for the first two weeks, then five sets, five exercises for 3-5 rep maxes for the next two weeks. The men were chosen to receive either an amino acid supplement or a placebo for the duration of the four weeks (0.88 grams/LB body weight/day). Those that were given the amino acids had measurable positive changes in total testosterone, the ratio of testosterone to the protein that transports it, and hemoglobin compared to those given a placebo.

(Study from University of Texas)
Protein along with carbs in a post workout meal /shake will provide the best results. They studied the measured amount of uptake of the amino acid L-phenylalanine into healthy leg muscle tissue in one of three protein shakes. The shakes were consumed one and two hours after intense leg training and provided about 6 grams of protein, 34 grams of carbs, or both per shake for a 150 bodybuilder. The L-phenylalanine uptake in the protein and carb shake was measured as being three times higher than the carb shake and roughly twice as great as the amino shake. This shows that the post-workout shake is the most critical meal for your increased anabolism, and that it is important to provide carbs with or within that shake

Other Important Nutrition Information
Carbs do the actual building.
60% of your daily diet

Fats make hormones & protect the organs.
30% of your daily diet