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Weekly Nutrition Tip: Getting the Most Out of Your Recovery Drink

April 3 2012

Getting the most out of your Recovery drink

By Debra Meszaros CSN
www.clubmx-sc.com
www.MXSportsNutrition.com


What is really the best choice for your protein powder? Are they all created equal?

By now you probably know the importance of your recovery protein shake but what you may not realize is that there is certainly a difference from one type to another. It is unfortunate that the companies that produce the more inferior products are the ones offering sponsorships. What you need to decide is do you want it for free or do you want a product that will provide you with a nutritional edge?

Recent research indicates that whey protein may very well be the best form of protein in the stimulation of muscle growth. For a Motocross rider, what might be of more importance is how quickly the amino acids are released into the muscle for recovery. Whey protein is faster. Now the question is, is one form of whey better than the other?

There are two basic forms of whey, an isolate (casein) and a concentrate. They are very much different from one another. To isolate a whey protein molecule, extreme heat and acid is used. This is an inexpensive way to manufacture an isolate (casein). But this process degrades the quality, and since enzymes and synergistic components are striped away it is less digestible. Its proteins are broken and the end result contains toxins. All these reasons burden the body. An isolate will have an acidic aftertaste, actually quite bitter so sugars must be added to mask the undesirable taste. Most of the time with this process soy lecithin is also added, another bad component.

A quality whey protein concentrate should be made from raw milk from grass fed pasture cows, preferably organic. This will provide a chemical free product, intact with all its synergistic components in easily digestible form. The best powders will not include added sugar like sucrose, sucralose, xylitol, fructose, etc. some which will affect insulin sensitivity. Quality whey protein is naturally sweet and has a smooth texture.

Learn to read the whole label of the product you are choosing, and understand that the ingredients are listed on the label in the order of the largest quantity to least quantity. That means the first items listed are what is mostly in the powder. Watch for words like natural flavorings, many less desirable ingredients can hide in that category; the best products will not hide ingredients and do not use this term on their labels. So use your dollars wisely, by the best product, and get the results you deserve.

2012 Debra Meszaros MXSportsNutrition.com. All rights reserved; no duplication without permission.
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