Protein Blends

Protein blends contain a combination of different proteins, with the view to deliver a comprehensive muscle-building formula.

Protein blends contain a combination of different proteins, with the view to deliver a comprehensive muscle-building formula. Owing to the varying qualities and absorption rates of each component, it’s believed that a blend of proteins can offer a ‘staged-release’ of amino acids.

Following exercise, it’s important that you get the right nutritional support, in order to kick-start the recovery process. Maintaining a positive nitrogen balance is required, in order to stimulate muscle protein synthesis. This can be achieved by receiving a sustained supply of amino acids throughout the day. Supplementing protein is one of the most convenient and steadfast ways to do this, and differing sources can provide extra reassurance that you’re in-line with meeting your goals.

The following ingredients may feature in a staged-release, or blended proteins:

• Whey protein

Whey is a popular choice immediately after training, because it has a rapid absorption rate and high bioavailability (BV). Both whey concentrate and isolates will often be included, due to their individual properties. Of the two, isolates are said to have a faster rate of uptake. Concentrate is also readily absorbed, but additionally, it’s apt to contain bio-active protein peptides that could benefit other areas of health, e.g. the immune system.

• Casein protein

Micellar casein is derived from milk, just like whey, but it has a much slower rate of absorption; it’s digested over several hours to provide a gradual, steady peak of amino acids. This means that effectively, once whey has been absorbed, casein will continue to support muscle repair.

• Glutamine peptides

Glutamine is a conditionally essential amino acid, which means its demand increases in ratio to physical stress – which includes intense training. Glutamine peptides are molecules of glutamine that have joined with other amino acids, to help increase bioavailability of the former. Research suggests that the body is better able to utilise this form of glutamine, compared with its organic counterpart.

• Glutamine

Since glutamine is the most abundant amino acid in muscle tissue, many blended proteins will also contain its standard form, to further boost available levels.