Anybody looking to get jacked, swole, yolked, hench, shredded, built, whatever you want to call it, will probably know about the benefits of protein for building muscle. Protein is a macronutrient which is essential for muscle growth and repair. Protein is needed by the body in order for a process known as protein synthesis to be carried out. Protein synthesis is a natural process in which the body naturally synthesises more muscle tissue to replace muscle which had been previously damaged during a workout. As well as whole foods, for convenience, many athletes, bodybuilders, and fitness enthusiasts looking to build muscle will use protein supplements. Whereas whey protein is the supplement of choice for many, casein protein is another supplement that plays a vital role in muscle growth and repair. Here’s what you need to know.
What is casein protein?
Casein protein is derived from cow’s milk, just like whey is. Casein makes up around 80% of the protein found in milk, yet it behaves very differently to whey protein. Casein is enriched with a series of bioactive peptides which provide a whole variety of health benefits to the human body which go above and beyond those associated with building muscle. The primary difference between casein and whey protein is the fact that casein protein digests much, much slower than whey. Whey is renowned for its rapid absorption rates and it is therefore considered a rapid absorbing protein. Casein is broken down and absorbed by the body much, much slower.
Benefits of casein protein
Some of the main benefits of casein protein include:
Slow rates of absorption – Normally, people looking to get big and jacked will want to get protein into their bodies as soon as possible. Casein is different. Casein is designed to be consumed in periods when you know you won’t be eating for a long duration of time. Most people have a casein protein shake before bed. This gives them a slow and sustained release of protein to keep them going through the night.
Muscle growth – Make no mistake about it, casein protein is highly anabolic. Casein is a great source of muscle-building amino acids. Without protein, our muscles wouldn’t be able to repair themselves after a tough workout and we simply wouldn’t make the gains that we should be expecting to make.
Convenient – Let’s face it, one of the best things about casein, and any supplement for that matter, is its convenience. Simply mix your protein with the beverage of your choice and drink it down.
Do I need it?
Nobody medically needs any supplement for fitness purposes alone, but it has to be said that they certainly come in handy. Casein protein is a staple supplement as part of many bodybuilder’s supplement stacks. It provides slow rates of digestion, it is slowly absorbed so stays in your system for long, and it helps you to stave off muscle catabolism, which is a bodybuilder’s worst nightmare. For that reason, we strongly recommend that you invest in a good quality casein protein powder.
