Collection: Slow Release Protein

WHY USE CASEIN PROTEIN & SLOW DIGESTING PROTEIN SUPPLEMENTS?

Protein is critical for various physical functions, including the internal transportation of nutrients, cell repair, and promoting cell growth in muscles and tissue. While fast release protein sources like red meat and other foods function as a complete protein source, supplements are a great way to access slow releasing protein in a concentrated, easy-to-take and slow digesting protein source.

THE BENEFITS OF SLOW RELEASE PROTEIN

• Sustained Muscle Protein Synthesis: Slow release proteins provide a continuous supply of amino acids to the muscles over an extended period (up to 12 hours). This sustained availability of essential amino acids supports muscle protein synthesis, which is crucial for muscle repair, recovery, and growth.

• Anti-Catabolic Effect: Casein protein and other time release proteins are anti-catabolic, which means they're capable of reducing protein breakdown within the body. With a much slower digestion rate than other protein sources, they provide a sustained supply of amino acids to muscle cells both during and after your workout. 

• Extended Anabolic Window: Slow release proteins extend the anabolic window, the period after exercise when muscle cells are most receptive to nutrients for growth and repair. By providing a steady stream of amino acids, slow release proteins optimise this window, maximising potential muscle gains.

• Satiety and Appetite Control: Slow release proteins can help promote a feeling of fullness and satiety due to their prolonged digestion rate. This can be beneficial for individuals trying to manage their weight or adhere to a controlled calorie intake.

• Nighttime Recovery: Slow release proteins are especially useful before bedtime, as they provide a continuous supply of amino acids during sleep when the body undergoes restorative processes and muscle repair. We recommend slow release

• Supporting Long Workouts: For athletes or individuals engaged in prolonged workouts or endurance training, slow release proteins can provide a sustained energy source, helping to maintain muscle performance and prevent muscle fatigue.

• Muscle Preservation during Fasting: During periods of fasting or calorie restriction, slow release proteins can help preserve muscle mass by providing a constant supply of amino acids, preventing muscle breakdown for energy.

• Enhanced Nitrogen Retention: Slow release proteins contribute to positive nitrogen balance in the body, indicating a state where protein synthesis exceeds protein breakdown. This promotes muscle growth and overall muscle health.
  
  
• Complementary to Fast-Acting Proteins: Slow release proteins can be combined with fast release protein sources like whey to optimise muscle protein synthesis. Consuming both types of proteins in a post-workout shake, for example, provides an initial rapid surge of amino acids from whey, followed by a sustained release from casein, creating an ideal environment for muscle repair and growth.

WHO SHOULD USE SLOW RELEASE PROTEIN

• Athletes and Endurance Trainers: Athletes engaged in intense training, endurance sports, or long-duration exercises can benefit from slow release protein supplements. These products help sustain energy levels during extended workouts, support muscle recovery, and reduce muscle breakdown, promoting better performance and reducing the risk of overtraining.

• Bodybuilders and Strength Athletes: Slow release protein can be highly advantageous for bodybuilders and strength athletes who require a continuous supply of amino acids to support muscle repair and growth. By extending the anabolic window, slow release proteins aid in maximising muscle gains, especially when used as part of a post-workout recovery strategy.

• Fitness Enthusiasts: Whether engaging in weight training, HIIT (High-Intensity Interval Training), or other forms of exercise, fitness enthusiasts can benefit from slow release protein supplements. These products provide sustained nourishment to muscles, which can improve workout performance, aid in recovery, and contribute to muscle toning and development.

• Weight Management Seekers: Slow release protein supplements can aid in weight management efforts by promoting satiety and controlling appetite. By providing a feeling of fullness, these products can help individuals manage calorie intake and reduce the likelihood of overeating or snacking on unhealthy foods.

• Nighttime Recovery and Muscle Preservation: Slow release proteins are particularly valuable before bedtime as they provide a sustained release of amino acids during sleep. This supports muscle recovery and helps prevent muscle breakdown, making them ideal for individuals looking to preserve muscle mass during periods of fasting, such as overnight.

THE SCIENCE BEHIND SLOW RELEASE PROTEIN & MUSCLE PROTEIN SYNTHESIS

Slow release proteins aid muscle protein synthesis through their unique digestion and absorption characteristics, which provide a sustained release of amino acids into the bloodstream. This prolonged availability of amino acids has several effects that contribute to muscle protein synthesis:

• Continuous Supply of Amino Acids: Slow release proteins, like casein, form a gel-like substance in the stomach, leading to a slower digestion rate compared to other protein sources. As a result, amino acids are released gradually over an extended period (up to 12 hours). This continuous supply of amino acids provides a constant source of building blocks for muscle repair and growth.

• Extended Anabolic Window: The anabolic window is the period after exercise when muscle cells are most receptive to nutrients for repair and growth. Slow release proteins extend this window, ensuring that muscles receive a steady stream of amino acids, even hours after the workout has ended. This allows for continued muscle protein synthesis during the recovery phase.

• Reduction of Muscle Protein Breakdown: Slow release proteins, especially casein, possess anti-catabolic properties. They help reduce muscle protein breakdown, particularly during periods of fasting, such as overnight sleep. By minimising muscle breakdown, more amino acids become available for muscle protein synthesis.

• Increased Muscle Protein Accretion: Slow release proteins have been shown to lead to greater overall protein accretion (net protein gain) compared to fast-acting proteins like whey. This increased protein accretion is associated with enhanced muscle protein synthesis and improved muscle recovery and growth.

• Prolonged Amino Acid Elevations: Slow release proteins sustain elevated blood amino acid levels for an extended period, which has been linked to a more prolonged anabolic response in muscles. This extended period of elevated amino acids supports muscle protein synthesis over a longer duration.

HOW TO USE SLOW RELEASE PROTEIN

Here’s a general guide to using slow release protein powder. If you’re unsure which protein is best for you, or you want some advice, please feel free to get in touch. 

BEFORE YOU START

Before adding any supplement to your diet, calculate your protein requirements based on factors such as your body weight, activity level, fitness goals, and overall health. General recommendations suggest consuming around 0.8 to 1.2 grams of protein per kilogram of body weight per day for most individuals. However, athletes and those engaged in intense training may need higher amounts, ranging from 1.2 to 2.2 grams per kilogram of body weight.

WHEN TO CONSUME SLOW RELEASING PROTEIN

• Pre-Workout: Consuming slow release protein before a workout can be beneficial, especially for prolonged or intense exercise sessions. This helps provide a sustained source of amino acids during your workout, preventing muscle breakdown and supporting performance. Consider having a slow release protein shake or protein bar around 30 minutes to 1 hour before your workout.

• Post-Workout: While slow release proteins are not the primary choice for immediate post-workout nutrition, they can still be beneficial during this time. It's generally recommended to combine slow release protein with a fast-acting protein source, like whey protein, to optimise muscle recovery. This combination provides both quick and sustained amino acid release. 

• Nighttime Use: Slow release proteins are particularly useful before bedtime. They offer a continuous supply of amino acids during sleep, promoting muscle recovery and reducing muscle breakdown during overnight fasting. We highly recommend MAX’S Anabolic Night slow release protein blend which contains additional muscle recovery nutrients and sleep-aiding herbs. 

• Between Meals: Slow release proteins can be a great option for satisfying hunger and maintaining steady energy levels between meals. If you have long periods between meals or snacks, consider consuming a slow release protein source to curb hunger and support muscle health.

HOW MUCH DO I NEED?

Dosage recommendations vary depending on factors like body weight, activity level, and fitness goals. As a general guideline, aim for 20-40 grams of slow release protein per serving. Adjust the serving size based on your individual protein needs and total daily protein intake.

Remember, everyone's nutritional needs are different. Individualise your protein intake and supplement usage based on your specific goals, preferences, and lifestyle. If you have any medical conditions or concerns, consult a healthcare or nutrition professional before making significant changes to your diet or supplement regimen.

SPECIALISTS IN SLOW RELEASING PROTEIN POWDER

MAX's specialises in slow release protein products that deliver time after time. Our protein bars, snacks, and supplements are delicious, affordable, and convenient. We offer our slow release protein sources as affordable bulk packs or individual product items for convenient protein hits.

If you're looking for maximum results and relentless impact, MAX's protein products are the perfect boost to any diet.