For Maximum Protein Power Whey is the Way to Go.
How does one choose the optimal protein rich foods that satisfy the serious fighter’s goals?
We all know that the need for speed is vital in all sports and that goes double or triple for Mixed Martial Arts. So, in order to achieve rapid and powerful muscle firing for killer strikes and submission grappling strength then the protein sources must have the greatest impact on overall muscle development. The objective should be to increase lean muscle mass without adding unwanted fat or bulk, which might otherwise have the nasty effect of slowing one’s reaction time or decreasing one’s physical power.
What is whey protein?
Whey protein is composed of the milk proteins that are left over from the cheese making process. Structurally it is a milk-derived nutritional food complex that is composed of protein, lactose and minerals, but contains only a trace amount of the fat normally present in milk.
Due to modern advancements in filtration technology the vital and unique biologically active peptides found in whey can now be concentrated into a single dynamic food source. This allows for higher levels of specific proteins such as alpha-lactalbumin (alpha-LA) and beta-lactoglobulin (beta-LG), lactoferrin, lactopreroxidase, GMP and immunoglobulins to be delivered to the body while minimizing the competition for absorption by potentially less desirable proteins such as casein (a common source of hypersensitivity reactions in some individuals). Among the health and wellness benefits derived from supplementing with whey protein include the ability to increase or retain muscle mass, enhance immunity, decrease the risk of cancer in some animals and increase the levels of glutathione (a critical antioxidant) in the body.
Historically the value of whey has been recognized by many civilizations as a true superfood. In ancient Greece, Hippocrates (commonly referred to as the father of modern medicine), recommended that his patients drink a two liter equivalent of whey every day to ward off illness. Later, in the 17th century a popular saying during the Italian Renaissance touted “If everyone consumed whey then the doctors would soon be bankrupt”. What was true then may be equally valid today.
Today modern researchers are uncovering the superior benefits of whey as a miracle food supplement. In the Journal of Applied Physiology, researchers indicate that after merely 3 months of whey supplementation that whey protein was found to be more effective in improving exercise performance than was casein (the other milk protein). The whey protein group also reported diminished body fat and a feeling of heightened energy.
Put a secret submission hold on your hunger cravings.
Scientists studying the hormonal impulses in the body that regulate hunger and give one a sense of fullness have found that there are several hormones like insulin, leptin and glucagon-like peptide that may provide the keys to food cravings. These hormones are influenced by the composition of the diet and the level of proteins, fats and carbs consumed. Another important hormone that has been linked to satiety (hunger satisfaction) is cholecstokinin. Researchers at Lund University in Sweden discovered that whey stimulates the release of insulin. And insulin is necessary to drive sugar into the cell so that it may be burned as an efficient fuel source. The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition reported that whey supplements may also help to regulate and reduce sudden fluctuations in blood sugar levels among people with type II diabetes. Whey appears to be the trigger for the body to increase the secretion of insulin.
Beat your stress with a martial arts workout
Stress is considered by many health and wellness authorities to be one of the primary contributing factors to poor health. When we experience stress our adrenal glands receive the signal to increase the release of the hormone cortisol. A well controlled level of stress hormone is necessary for proper body function and maintenance; however, it is the prolonged and elevated levels of cortisol release that may lead to the breakdown of protein within the body. This has a big down-side in that it might give you an immediate down-size by decreasing your muscle size and minimizing muscle growth. Another minus is that excess cortisol may also lead to the increased release of sugars into the blood stream and if there is too much sugar floating around with nothing better to do then some of this sugar may wind up being converted to fat. This excess fat may often be deposited or stored in the abdominal region or other undesirable body part.
Exercise is a well recognized method for reducing stress and the training programs used by many MMA fighters is a highly effective method to minimizing stress.
European scientists determined that whey protein can decrease the level of cortisol in the body. This may be another way in which whey protein acts to maintain lean muscle tissue.
Couple that with the added calcium found in dairy sources such as whey and you wrestled half of your battle to stay in top fighting form.
So, if excess food consumption is a problem then you may want to consider the advantages of the hunger fighting attributes derived from whey.
Milk contains components that provide critical nutritive elements, immunological protection, and biologically active substances for both children as well as adult warriors. These diverse milk proteins (including whey protein) provide a broad dietary range of biologically active peptides for healthy growth and development. When concentrated these peptides may unleash potential health-enhancing nutraceuticals that fortify cell function while providing cellular energy constituents for use during the most rigorous training schedules. Several of the many bioactive peptides found in milk proteins are being investigated for their nutraceutical value and pharmacological activity in a number of health related conditions. Among these include the use and investigation in the treatment of immunodeficiency, intestinal absorption, diarrhea, constipation, high blood pressure, inflammation, clotting disorders and dental diseases. Other whey proteins, such as lactoferrin, lactoperoxidase, lysozyme, and immunoglobulins, are considered to possess antimicrobial activity.
Milk also contains some natural bioactive substances. These include oligosaccharides, fucosylated oligosaccharides, hormones, growth factors, mucin, gangliosides, and endogenous peptides. Most of the claimed physiological properties of milk bioactive components have been carried out in test tube and in animal model analysis. However, these properties have yet to be proven in human clinical trials. We hope to continually update our site as more research validates the usage of these dynamic compounds.
|
|
|
Milk protein face-off: Casein vs. Whey.
Scientists from Australia found that individuals using whey protein gained over 10 pounds of muscle, while those using casein only managed to gain 2 pounds. The whey group also demonstrated greater gains in strength.
Dr. Peter Lemon, a leading researcher in exercise and protein metabolism, concluded that exercise can more than double your need for protein intake. Based on Dr. Lemon’s research, in the individual strength training program one must consume roughly 0.8 grams of protein per pound of bodyweight (1.7 grams of protein for every kilogram). For those who wish to build muscle tissue at a faster pace, this number should be nearly 2.5 grams per kilogram of bodyweight. For maximum results one may want to eat a protein rich source every few hours or supplement the diet with whey protein. This will establish a positive nitrogen balance, which can accelerate muscle growth and muscle recovery more effectively. For some reason the body appears to respond better when whey protein is consumed before, during and after exercise. This may be because the protein is being uploaded to the muscle tissue when it is most needed. In summary; whey protein can be consumed daily to accelerate lean muscle mass and resist muscle wasting.
So that Xtreme Fighter Fuel™ can live up to it’s name it has been fortified with a complete and balanced multivitamin and multi-mineral formula to optimize health and wellness.
Sources:
1. Br J Nutr.
2003 Feb;89(2):239-48.
Casein and whey exert different effects on plasma amino acid profiles,
gastrointestinal hormone secretion and appetite.
Hall
WL, Millward
DJ, Long
SJ, Morgan
LM.
Centre for Nutrition and Food Safety, School of Biomedical and Life Sciences, University of Surrey, Guildford, Surrey GU2 7XH.
2. The role of dairy foods in weight management.
The University of Tennessee, 1215 W. Cumberland Ave, Room 229, Knoxville, TN 37996-1920, USA. mzemel@utk.edu
3. Whey protein concentrate promotes the production of glutathione (GSH) by GSH reductase in the PC12 cell line after acute ethanol exposure.
Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Kaohsiung Veterans General Hospital, Kaohsiung 81346, Taiwan; Institute of Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung 80702, Taiwan.
Source: Center for Exercise, Nutrition and Preventive Health Research, Department of Health, Human Performance and Recreation, Baylor University, Waco, Texas 76798.
Kerksick, C.M., C.J. Rasmussen, S.L. Lancaster, B. Magu, P. Smith, C. Melton, M. Greenwood, A.L. Almada, C.P. Earnest, and R.B. Kreider.
3. Milk biologically active components as nutraceuticals: review.
School of Food Science and Technology, Southern Yangtze University, Wuxi, 214036, China.