Whey Protein And Your Work Out
In the world of bodybuilding and gym fanatics, there are few products better known than whey protein. In fact, this powder is so prolific, it’s a household name for many people. It’s used in a variety of different products and different forms. Whey protein is one of the most widely studied supplements in the world. In particular, it’s useful for sustaining muscle growth and aiding in recovery. With these uses in mind, the researchers at Axis Labs studied what grants whey protein these properties when we were designing our line of recovery products. So, in an effort to help our customers work out harder and smarter, today we’ll explore this popular protein and its use in muscle recovery.
Just What Is Whey?
Whey protein is a blend of proteins that have been extracted from whey. Whey is the liquid in milk that is separated while cheese is being made. Whey is one of two proteins within milk, and makes up about 20 percent of the protein in milk, the other 80 percent is made up of casein. It’s likely that you’ve seen whey in other dairy products and not realized it. For instance, if you’ve ever opened a container of sour cream and found liquid floating on top, that’s whey. Once discarded as a by-product of cheese making, whey is now recognized as a valuable health and sports nutrition supplement. The whey is processed and made into whey protein powder, which can be added to pre-workout drinks, energy bars, and meal replacement programs. Typically, the whey is extracted, isolated, and then any fat and carbohydrates are removed. The result is a pure, filtered protein.
Why Is Whey Protein So Popular?
The popularity of whey protein likely has to do with its low cost, its widespread availability, and of course, its effectiveness. The body can very quickly digest and absorb whey, meaning it can be transported by your bloodstream to your muscles. These extra proteins are invaluable after a long workout because they rapidly initiate the recovery process. Additionally, whey protein can be made to taste great.
So What Does Whey Protein Do?
The effectiveness of whey protein is perhaps the biggest reasons for the product’s lasting success. In coordination with healthy diet, adequate sleep, and intensive workout regimens, whey protein can enhance the results of your work. But how?
Whey Protein Helps You Lose Fat And Maintain Muscle
At the end of the day, every workout is focused on these two elements. For those looking to slim down, and add muscle mass, whey protein is a two-for-one product. Recent studies have found that when participants daily caloric intakes were reduced by 500 calories, and then their diets were supplemented with whey protein, these participants lost greater amounts of body fat than the participants that were not given whey protein. Whatsmore, those same participants that used whey protein also reported having better preserved muscles.
Whey Protein Promotes Muscle Size And Strength
There’s no denying that getting that lean, cut look is highly desirable. If you’re looking to add to the size and strength of your muscles, you might consider adopting whey protein into your health and exercise regimen. A study compared two groups conducting the same resistance training workouts. One group was given a supplement of whey protein and free amino acids, while the other was given a placebo. The results were surprising, but not unexpected. The participants who took the whey protein saw measurable increases in fat-free mass and muscle strength over their placebo counterparts. The study concluded that to optimize the results, whey protein should be consumed one hour before and after a workout.
Whey Protein Aids In Recovery
As you finish your workout, your muscles need more nutrients to recover fully. That’s because as you workout, your muscles slowly break down, and have to repair themselves once you’ve started resting. As a complete protein, whey protein is packed full of branch chain amino acids. Leucine is one of these amino acids, and it increases your muscles ability to synthesize proteins, which prevents aches and pains in your muscles after an intense workout. Essentially, whey protein has the amino acids that accelerate your post-workout recovery. It’s these same branch chain amino acids that we utilize in our line of top-tier recovery products.
Why Is Whey Protein Effective?
Ultimately, whey protein is effective because it targets the building blocks of our muscles and cells. Whey protein offers our body an extra dose of protein and amino acids which stimulates increased muscle growth. It also increases the amount of anabolic hormones that are released, and promotes further muscle growth. Whey protein is also absorbed very quickly into the bloodstream, meaning it can get to work faster to heal your muscles, and maintain your gains.
Whey Protein From Axis Labs
Axis Labs' Muscle Delight Whey Protein
If you’re hitting the gym hard, following an exacting diet, but you feel like your recovery times are keeping you from achieving your exercise goals, it’s time to make use of the recovery products from Axis Labs. With the restorative powers of whey protein and its BCAAs in mind, we developed a line of products that is formulated to help you recover faster and more effectively. We’ve designed our N’ERGIZED Amino Supplement to focus on the healing powers of Leucine, so you can maintain the strength and appearance of your muscles after your workout, and recovery more efficiently. Order your amino recovery products today.
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Citations:
Frestedt, J. L., Zenk, J. L., Kuskowski, M. A., Ward, L. S., & Bastian, E. D. (2008). A whey-protein supplement increases fat loss and spares lean muscle in obese subjects: a randomized human clinical study. Nutrition & Metabolism, 5, 8. http://doi.org/10.1186/1743-7075-5-8
Willoughby, D.S., Stout, J.R., Wilborn, C.d. (2006). Effects of resistance training and protein plus amino acid supplementation on muscle anabolism, mass, and strength. Amino Acids, 32, 4. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00726-006-0398-7