P R O T E I N - Part Three

                   If you want to dig deep into the protein debate here’s a food for thought …while I was researching about optimum protein utilisation, I stumbled across certain research papers, by Tarnopolsky(1988), Rennie & Tipton, 2000; Hartman, Moore & Phillips, 2006; Moore 2007), they all state that elite bodybuilders need even less protein than new ones. The more experienced you are the less protein you need for your upkeep. There’s a constant synthesising and breakdown of protein in the human body. Well….for those who don’t know what is synthesising and breakdown….here’s a crash course. (Protein synthesis is the process whereby biological cells generate new proteins, Protein catabolism i.e protein breakdown is the breakdown of proteins into amino acids and simple derivative compounds}.

                    So to continue…. exercising causes breakdown and synthesis increases. As one progresses in his workout regime the body becomes more efficient at stopping the breakdown of protein resulting from exertion. Since there’s less breakdown less synthesis is needed which means subsequently less protein is needed for optimal growth. . As you become more muscular, you get closer to your genetic limit, and your body becomes more efficient at metabolising protein.

                   Caloric intake or protein intake differs from person to person…as does the per meal calculation. If you are taking just 20 to 30 grams of protein per meal then needless to say you need to be taking at least 6 to 8 meals to satiate your bodybuilding requirements then. And if you are an average working class guy then good luck fitting those six meals in your working hours. Practical knowledge and bookish shit have different places in our world. Epic war stories and actual battles can’t be compared. Santa seems nice in Christmas carols. But a fat ugly butt stuck in your chimney and reindeers on your loft are better suited as bed time stories. 

                These glorified protein related body building chapters are shams …protein supplements are a product of choice. You want them, you take them. Your body doesn’t need them. It’s a matter of convenience. If you don’t have time for three square meals a day then these canned products are beneficial for your muscle building enthusiasm. If not then eat a hearty meal and pump your way into the fitness world. Most of these supplements are purified amino acid solutions and are likely to be digested rapidly and in the case of an infusion, no digestion is required at all. So it is possible that a whole food meal will have a different impact on the duration of protein synthesis than pure amino acids. Studies have recently shown that the duration of protein synthesis in response to a complete meal containing protein, carbohydrates, and fats is approximately 3 hours long. Therefore, it appears that a complete meal slightly prolongs the duration of protein synthesis. And hell yes your small intestine needs the practise of secreting enzymes and absorbing nutrients from the food stuff. Why deny your body the basic exercise and recreation I say.

             Genetics, lifestyle, and body composition dramatically influence protein metabolism? It is going to take what it usually takes for a food stuff to get digested and get assimilated into the blood stream. So don’t search for hope in a can. It’s within yourself. As I have always said there’s no short cut to success and if you are looking for that …your life would be cut short.