What is the best protein supplement?

Protein supplements are sometimes needed to help increase your intake when you are trying to build muscle. There are many types of protein that work to help you in different ways. The most popular protein supplement is whey. It is a byproduct of cheese production and is fairly inexpensive. Whey is best used after a workout because it is digested and absorbed very quickly giving your muscles the extra protein they need to start the recovery and repair process. If you want to drink a protein shake at night before you go to sleep, whey is not the best choice. Because of its quick digestion, some of it will likely get converted to fat since such a high amount of protein is not needed right before bed (unless you workout late at night). Casein protein, which is found in milk, is digested a lot slower. Taking a casein supplement at night will allow for a slower release and more efficient use. Because of the slow digestion, it is a lot less likely that the protein will get converted to fat. Branched chain amino acid (BCAA) supplements can be a good idea before a workout. After working out for a long time, your muscles go into a catabolic state - they start to break down. As you can imagine, this is not good for your muscle building goals. When taken prior to working out, BCAAs can help your muscles avoid going into a catabolic state and preserving more of your gains. For more sources of complete proteins visit the Guide to Proteins. You can also see how others are maintaining an adequate level of protein intake and share your own ideas by visiting the nutrition forums.

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