Hydrolyzed Whey
This is a good post workout protein. That because it is composed of Di and Tri peptides.
Di and Tri Peptides are absorbed quickly. The are absorbed in appoximately twenty minutes.
Other Whey
Whey concentrate appears to be absored talk longer, it may take up to 120 minutes.
Cross Flow and Isolate Whey digestion take place somewhere between Hydrolyzed and Concentrate.
Leucine The Anabolic Trigger
This amino acid is the Anabolic Trigger. It's stimulate mTOR (Mammalian Target of Rapamycin). mTor elicits Protein Synthesis.
That greater the Protein Synthesis, the faster you recovery...which lead to an increase in strength and/or muscle mass dependent on how your training program is written.
Between 10-12% of whey protein is composed of Leucine. Thus, that is one of the reason that whey is dubbed as the most effective post workout protein.
Spiking your Post Workout Beverage with some additional Leucine give an additional bump.
Reseach has revealed the amount of Leucine you consume in your diet plays a huge role in determing muscle growth. It appears that .7 to 1.0 grams of Luecine a day in your diet creates and anabolic environment.
Example: 200 lb Athlete
Approximately, 14 to 20 grams a day will is creates the anabolic enviromment.
200 lbs X .7 = 14 grams of Leucine.
200 lbs X 1.0 = 20 grams of Luecine.
The quality of protein determine how much Luecine you are getting. Plant based proteins are low in Luecine. Animal based proteins are a richer source of Luecine.
Insulin The Anabolic Hormone
Insulin activates mTOR alone. As we know high glycemic index carbohydrates trigger insulin release.
Shuttle System
Insulin quickly restored depleted glycogen back to the muscles. Research has shown that during the post workout period, the muscle soak up glycogen like a dry sponge.
When you wait too long before consuming carbohydrates, less than half of the carbohydrates you consume are used to restore glycogen.
Filling Up Your Car
Think about it like gasing up your car. You stop and only fill up your tank half way before going on a trip.
You then have to stop again, taking more time on your trip to gas up again.
If fill you tank up, you will get there quicker.
"Saving Carbs For Later"
Research and anedotal data have proven this to be a contrindiated method of restoration.
Insulin: Protein Degradation
1) Insulin is also a powerful inhibitor of muscle protein degradation.
2) ...post-workout glucose consumption, although not activating protein synthesis, also had a powerful inhibiting effect on protein degradation.
3) ..."holds the throttle open longer" for the protein synthetic machinery after a workout.
Source: Maximizing Protein Synthesis/John Meadows
Back to Pre, Peri and Post Workout Nutrition
The "Heart Attack Analogy" above explains the importance of being Pro-Active.
Kenny Croxdale