Do you use a protein supplement? - Page 2

no sweat, always glad to help!

ric

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I just started using a whey protine about two months ago and I love it! Now I just make me a quick shake when ever I feel like haveing it. Before a ride, after the ride, as a snack or what ever. Yep bananas, strawberries, mangos orange juice Yummmm.

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Since at this point more have voted that they don't use a protein suppliment than those who do, it would be interesting to know the specific reasons. Is this because of the additional cost of using the suppliments, because of a lack of belief that they will offer measureable benefits or because there is a growing awareness that most people already consume more protein than they need and any additional is wasteful and possibly detrimental?

I have been using EAS products for about 6 years now and am very happy with the results. I usually drink a shake an hour before a ride then soon as I get back I have another.

I started riding in order to burn off extra calories, which i was consuming in order to build muscle mass for high-impact strength training with weights. I found out that my body would build more muscle and recover better from these workouts if i took a whey protien with added BCAA and vitamins. After the first few weeks of cycling i realized that i really enjoyed it and so i kept taking the protein before my rides. I'm not sure if the protein supplement just provides some placebo effect for me, but i have had trouble riding when i don't take it. I feel like it gives me the energy i need to ride when i can't get a meal in before i ride. I have a hard time riding when i eat a solid meal within 2hrs before the ride. I take ~20g of protein in the supplement and i weigh 189lbs(85.73kg), i usually ride for 1-1.5hrs @ avg 17mph(27.35km/h). So i'm not sure if it actually helps, but i am never sore and i ride 45-60mi/week.

Aaron

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Certainly I'm not you so I can't speak for what you do or don't feel. I will point out that while the "experts" in nutrition seem to be unable to come to an agreement concerning the body's ability to utilize protein for energy, they do at least agree within a range. Some proclaim that the body can produce no more than 10% of its energy from protein and at the other end of the scale, the figure is 0%. Either way it seems unlikely that any protein consumption prior to a ride would have a marked effect on your ability to ride well. Perhaps it is a placebo effect or perhaps by consuming protein you're satisfying hunger that might otherwise drive you to consuming large amounts of simple sugars which will cause a quick energy spike followed by an extreme drop in energy output.

Despite the fact that protein is primarily used for recovery and that most people already consume far more than they need in their normal diets, the companies collecting the profits continue to suggest that protein somehow increases energy production. Nutritionists seem to feel otherwise and the data produced in their studies would support the idea that carbohydrates are the body's natural fuel while protein, in moderate amounts, helps to rebuild after a strenuous workout.

this is also another myth. the vast majority of people do not suffer from "rebound hypoglycaemia" and even in the few that it does, it rarely affects performance.

ric

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Hmmmm, so another myth comes tumbling down.

I used to take protien shakes a while back. Since then I have learned to just cook some extra chicken breasts when I grilled a particular night. I chop up the breasts and put them in baggies and leave them in the fridge. I usually take a bag or two to snack on while at work (in addition to my normal lunch). I guess for me it just comes down to whether I want to eat chicken breasts or drink the shakes. Currently I use accelerade during rides, I'll take a power bar on longer rides (2+ hour rides) and Endurox after rides. I think after all the Endurox and Accelerade I'm pretty shaked out.

I guess personally I would rather obtain my protien through food.

whey protein in a shake. also trioplex.... best bar i've found out there. packed with protein...just need to drink alot of water with it. pb and choc chip is by far the best flavor they offer.

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The arguably better question is; "Do you need a protein suppliment?"

i do, thats for sure. i work such crazy hours, that i don't get a chance to sit down and make sure i eat "3 squares" anymore. vitamins and these bars are my best friends.

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Go Ugly Early!! Beat the Crowd!!
Pain is weakness leaving the body.
Semper Fi.

I believe that would depends on one's particular physioligy. I'm sure the nutrition requirements are different for someone who weighs in at 125 lbs vs 195lbs. Also the power (wattage) required to move 125 lbs vs 195 lbs over 40 miles at 25 mph are certainly different.

Protien and Amino acids (building blocks of protien) are essential in the roll of muscle repair/growth. There are a number of different variables that could determine weather or not your body could benefit from a protein supplement.
The key to the word is SUPPLEMENT. That means it is suposed to add to the protein you are already eating. Your diet may or may not benefit from additional protein that a supplment will provide.

I'm willing to bet that you would be better off meeting with a good nutritionist who is aware of your personal fitness goals and can evaluate your physioligy vs. taking advice from someone on this forum (no insults intended).

In all seriousness... no one, NO ONE on the planet should take nutritional advice from me!! Those were just my opinions, and what seems to work well for me. I have the metabolism to get away with eating alot of crap. You gotta do what works best for you.

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Go Ugly Early!! Beat the Crowd!!
Pain is weakness leaving the body.
Semper Fi.

You're absolutely correct that protein requirements vary from person to person. Even the experts can't agree but all seem to fall with a range of two to ten percent of total caloric intake. Most people are already consuming twenty to thirty percent so any protein suppliment is wasted with most people. I also agree with your emphasis on the word "suppliment".

As for the wattage, you're again correct that it takes more power to move more weight. But this hints at what is possibly one of the most common nutritional misconceptions today and one that you properly address - protein isn't an energy source, it's used for tissue construction. It may very likely be the intention of those who sell protein suppliments to mislead people or perhaps it's the whole of the protein industry but the reality is this; protein does not provide energy. If you read a number of texts on the subject you'll find that some claim a small amount of the energy produced by the body may come from protein but the highest claim I've seen is still only 10%. All seem to agree that the body's preferred fuel for energy production is carbohydrates. Protein is a rebuilding nutrient. What protein isn't used to build or rebuild tissues is either turned to fat or excreted in urine. If the protein is converted to fat, the fat can then be broken down into ketones and then converted to energy but that's certainly not the most efficient way to convert food to energy.

So, you say that no insults are intended then add a "roll eyes" icon?