| What is the best protein powder to buy?
I get this question all the time,
and really, there is no best protein
- many are very good for different
reasons! In my opinion, it is
futile and possibly detrimental
to stick to only one brand for
the following reasons: a) I always
recommend that you cycle your
supplements so that your body
does not get used to them thereby
decreasing their effect, b) for
variety sakes alone, it breaks
the monotony and allows you to
try different brands, c) to take
advantage of the unique qualities
offered by various brands, and
d) it is a good idea to switch
the powders you use on a frequent
basis to not develop any food
intolerances or even worse allergies
(I have an article coming out
on this subject in the near future.)
A blend that combines various
protein sources (i.e. casein,
egg, whey, and even beef if you
can find it) is your best bet.
I highly recommend the following:
MD+ Myosin Protein Complex, Beverly
International Muscle Provider,
Biotest Low-Carb GROW!, and Dorian
Yates Approved ProPeptide. High-quality
whey protein powders are excellent
choices for post- workout nutrition
since they get into your system
fast to feed those depleted muscles.
Casein, on the other hand, is
a slow releasing protein as it
recurdles into a solid in your
gut prolonging digestion - this
would be an ideal choice prior
to your workouts or before going
to bed. Anyhow, as far as whey
powders are concerned, amino acid
complex profile determines quality.
I have in my possession a list
of protein powders that were analyzed
for quality by an independent
laboratory, but since I don't
want any of these companies breathing
down my neck, I will only divulge
that information to my clients.
Remember one thing, you get what
you pay for! Keep that in mind.
Also, some people are quite sensitive
to aspartame and lactose so you
will have to find free versions
of those. Taste will ultimately
determine whether you purchase
that powder again. Write in with
some of your feedback on these
products - I'd love to hear your
comments. One more thing, you
could even mix protein powder
into other foods to up the protein
content and improve the flavor.
Mixing protein powder in (slow-cooked)
oatmeal is one option, but here's
another. I call it my "bedtime
concoction." Add a scoop of Xtreme
Formulations Ultra Peptide (vanilla)
to a mixture of ricotta (whey)
and cottage (casein) cheese. Not
only does this provide both an
anabolic and anticatabolic effect
during sleep, it also tastes amazing
- it's like eating the cream filling
of a cannoli without the pastry
shell! Try it. John Paul Catanzaro
is a certified kinesiologist and
professional fitness and lifestyle
consultant with a specialized
honours Bachelor of Science degree
in Kinesiology and Health Science.
He owns and operates a private
gym in Toronto, Ontario providing
training and nutritional consulting
services. For additional information,
visit his website at http://www.BodyEssence.ca
or call 416-292-4356. Check out
John Paul's new DVD, Warm-Up to
Strength Training, for some powerful
techniques to increase strength
and improve performance! Discover
some unique, cutting-edge methods
like how to increase arm strength
by up to 10% instantly! It has
been recommended by many experts
including Drs. Eric Serrano, Mark
Lindsay, and Ken Kinakin as well
as Olympic strength coach, Charles
Poliquin. Visit http://www.StrengthWarmup.com
for more information. |
