Thread: The Ultimate Guide to Muscle Milk

CytoSport's MUSCLEMILK: The Facts





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Musclemilk: The How and Why


348 Calories: provides ample energy for growth


18g Fat : mostly MCT (medium chain triglycerides) fats, which are used as energy for rebuilding muscle, and *not* stored as fat. These "fatless-Fats" also increase your metabolic rate, help to increase testosterone production, and promote protein synthesis, anti-imflammatory effects and mineral retention. More likely to resemble carbohydrates. 2. Preliminary evidence suggests that MCTs are a useful fat substitute for those who have trouble digesting fat. MCTs have been proposed as an "ergogenic aid," an energy-boosting supplement to enhance athletic performance. During intense exercise, your body first burns up available energy from the blood (in the form of glucose) and then starts to use energy stored in the form of a larger carbohydrate called glycogen. When the glycogen is depleted, exhaustion begins to set in. One solution to this is carbo-loading, the practice of taking large doses of carbohydrates prior to exercise in order to increase glycogen stores. Athletes can also sip carbohydrate-loaded drinks during exercise.

MCTs may provide an alternative. Like other fats, they provide more energy per ounce than carbohydrates; but unlike normal fats, this energy can be released rapidly. This is especially important one week prior to a contest when calorie intake is decreased in an effort to reduce body fat to the lowest level possible without breaking down muscle protein.


12g Carbohydrates : Carbohydrates are used to feed muscle, and are the main source of energy in the body. If you have more carbohydrates in your diet, your body will use the CARBOHYDRATES for ENERGY, and the protein you consume will be used primarily for rebuilding the muscle, as opposed to being the body's energy source when your diet is carbohydrate depleted.


32g Protein : Ample blend of Whey Protein and Casein Protein for building muscle. Whey Protein is the quickest dissolved form of protein, and Casein dissolves slowly to feed your muscle for long periods of time. So, your body will digest the whey protein first, and after 30 mins it is finished digesting this, it will be looking for more sources of nutrients, in which case the Casein will then kick in. 40% of milk is casein protein, and it is the main protein source of cheese.

Alpha-lactalbumin has a protein efficiency ratio of 4.0 compared to 3.6 for whey and 2.9 for casein protein. Alpha lactalbumin also has higher biological value than both whey and casein proteins. It contains large amounts of essential and conditionally essential amino acids.

Bovine colostrum is produced by female mammals during first 24 to 48 hours after birth, and it contains immune factors along with antioxidants, vitamins, minerals, enzymes, amino acids, and other growth factors. Bovine colostrum is identical to that found in human colostrum but at higher levels. In short bovine colostrum plays an important role in immunity to diseases among other important functions.


Various Vitamins : Increases overall health and uptake of nutrients


Creatine GCC : Works to increase the body's naturally produced creatine levels, and decreases toxic homocysteine which impedes muscle growth. So, instead of supplying your body with creatine, it actually tells your body to produce more of it. *Note: This is NOT a replacement for Creatine supplements.*

Studies
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/q..._uids=12188088
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http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/q..._uids=12131260

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When to Take Muscle Milk

NO: Post Workout - After you have lifted weights, you DO NOT want to consume musclemilk. Your body needs PROTEIN and CARBOHYDRATES and fast. The Fat content and Casein Protein content in Musclemilk will slow the process of absorbtion, and will not give your body enough nutrients quick enough.
Note: While some of Musclemilk's fat content is MCT (quickly absorbed), it still contains common fats that will slow digestion.

YES : Pre-Workout - If consumed pre-workout, this will feed your body throughout the workout time. It is recommended to take this no less than 45 minutes before you lift with a small amount of food.

NO : When you wake up - Your body is coming out of a fasting state and needs nutrients FAST. Again, the casein protein is slow digesting, and the FATS in Muslce Milk will slow the digestion even more.
Note: While some of Musclemilk's fat content is MCT (quickly absorbed), it still contains common fats that will slow digestion.

YES : Before Bed - The slow digesting fats and casein protein will keep your body in an anabolic state, as oppose to a catabolic state. This means your body will feed itself as you sleep, taking nutrients from the Musclemilk, rather than feeding off yourself, taking nutrients from your muscles.

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The Taste and Cost
I find MuscleMilk to be the tastiest and one of the most effective protein supplement/meal replacement on the market. At around $20 per container (each containing around 15 servings), it is inexpensive compared to other MRP shakes.
As for taste, it is amazing, and is by far the best tasting shake I have had. Numerous internet logs and comments suggest that this is so. With over 10 different flavors including Mocha Joe, Cookies n Cream, Egg Nog and Root Beer Float, they give you quite an option (fruit flavors also available).

(2. Bach AC, Babayan VK. Medium-chain triglycerides—an update. Am J Clin Nutr 1982;36:950–62.)

if you read the ingredients, casein is used. Not the best for PWO drink. Whey is the better of the two. I usually use 2 scoops of malto/dextro and 2 scoops of whey, with vitamin c and e.
After that-about an hour later, I'll mix in the MMilk with a cup of old fashioned oats.