The wasting or reduction in muscle that we have is a big problem not only for the older adult but, also for the natural bodybuilder. Neither can afford to loose one once of muscle. Muscle is what keeps us moving along with the fact it is a calorie burning machine. When we are low on protein by not getting enough in our diet for instance, our bodies then will resort to stripping it out of the muscle. There are three ideas you can implement into your diet strategies to slow down or negate this process.
1. Use Whey Protein: This is the most potent protein out there as far as a fast acting food source. Taking this immediately after getting up in the morning allows you to refill your protein requirements and, fill the amino acid pool in our bloodstream. Getting the whey protein that is isolated is better absorbed and acts fast. 1gm of protein per pound of bodyweight is generally advised however, if you are a bodybuilder you will be using a higher dose.
Muscle Protein
2. Use Casein Protein: Casein protein is a slower acting protein and can be ideally used prior to going to sleep at night. This way, it is working throughout the night in keeping your bloodstream adequately supplied with amino acids. Your body will be doing its repair at night after you have fallen asleep. Having the proper nutrition for the body to work with is ideal to get the best results and to maintain muscle. Casein protein is absorbed very slowly by the digestive system.
3. Use Glutamine: This is the most abundant amino acid in the body. I would recommend every natural bodybuilder or surgical patient recovering from orthopedic surgery for instance take this. Its harmless since our bodies produces it naturally. Therefore, it is not a foreign substance. Glutamine will keep your muscles flush with amino acids to keep them healthy and strong.
Of course these protein components can be used throughout the day. As a bodybuilder the last thing you want is to run empty on your protein requirements and watch all that effort you use in the gym go down the drain by short changing yourself on protein. If you are a surgical patient, your body will be starving for protein and glutamine to help the body repair itself. You can get these types of food sources in a normal healthy diet but, generally you get a high dose of fat along with it depending on the foods you consume to get the protein from.
Muscle wasting is a serious problem for both the bodybuilder and, the elderly. You want to do everything you can to stop this process to ensure powerful muscle strength and development through a sound nutritional program.