Two hundred and fifty five pounds of pure muscle. Clay Matthews became this way all by drinking chocolate. How one may ask? By using the protein supplement Muscle Milk. Muscle Milk claims it is a great source of protein that helps to build lean muscle and recover quicker from exercise, but is that really the case? Since protein is a main component in the ability for muscles to hypertrophy, an anabolic process that increases muscle size, nutritional experts have reason to believe that this claim is in fact true (Girandola).
Muscle Milk has many different protein products ranging from powders to energy chews to fit every person’s protein needs. The products generally tend to have the same main ingredients with varying flavors and additives. In this advertisement, there was a general overview of the main ingredients and it also included the nutrition label for the chocolate lean muscle protein powder next to the main advertisement. This supplement contains many ingredients such
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as whey protein, sodium caseinate, a lean lipids blend, multiple artificial sweeteners, and a vitamin and mineral blend. All of these products were listed in the Muscle Milk advertisement as beneficial to fueling one’s exercise and recovery process (bodybuilding.com). Of the ingredients listed, whey protein and sodium caseinate are the most prominent. Both proteins serve similar functions, but differ with their metabolic rates, which the ad also makes reference to. Caseinate, or casein, has a slower metabolic rate, improves muscle strength, and promotes fat loss. Whey protein has a faster metabolic rate and also improves muscle strength while improving one’s immune system. Although there was no author to the advertisement found or any scientific references within the advertisement, research was conducted in order to evaluate Muscle Milk’s claim; there is fairly good evidence that whey protein does enhance muscle mass and promote weight loss. In a study published by Vincent Martin, twenty-nine male Wistar rats were fed either a diet of whey or casein protein while their hind limb muscle was casted; then the cast was taken off and the recovery time and progress was measured. Both the casein and whey diets proved to be sufficient in the recovery of muscle functionality, however the whey protein did so almost twice as fast. Their findings make sense since the metabolic rate of whey protein is faster than the casein, affirming that the rats fed the whey protein diet would heal faster (Martin). In another study done by American Journal of Physiology, the effect of taking casein and whey protein simultaneously in healthy adults was tested in order to see if the combination was effective. Their experiment consisted of 18 adults where each adult would receive one of three meals (casein, whey, or a control) and then their blood was tested to see the differences between the diets. The study found that the two proteins dissipated at different rates. The whey protein was very prevalent in protein synthesis within the first 180 minutes of the study, while casein resulted in a slower time but sustained its effects for several more hours. In conclusion, these researchers believe that more emphasis should be put on ingesting the combination of whey and casein, in order to hopefully prolong the period where muscle is built (Soop). According to these studies, the claims that Muscle Milk has made in their advertisements were accurate and their claims were not misleading or fraudulent. In addition to accurate claims on their main ingredients, Muscle Milk is also endorsed by the organization NSF. This organization certifies nutritional products. In order to have a certified product by NSF, there is a rigorous 5-step inspection and testing process. With proper labeling, product safety, and faculty inspection, a product will be considered NSF certified. Muscle Milk has received the NSF certification on all of their products and can be viewed on the labeling. This organization provides expertise by hiring highly trained doctors, researchers, and inspectors (NSF International). However, Muscle Milk does pay NSF to receive their certification. Although the NSF is an accurate accreditation organization, the FDA and other nutrition experts believe that Muscle Milk is not as healthy as it claims to be. In June 2011, Muscle Milk received a warning letter explaining that their shakes were in violation of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act. This letter claims that it is inaccurate to state the protein supplement is “healthy”. This is due to the specific regulations surrounding labels like “low fat” or “low saturated fat”. The shake goes above the 3-gram requirements to be considered “low fat” and the 1-gram maximum of “low saturated fat” (Administration Public Heath Service Food and Drug). The nutritional food label does not meet the specific standards of the Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act, based on their mislabeling as explained in the few examples above, therefore it cannot be FDA approved. Along with Muscle Milk not being approved by the FDA, there are also some underlying side effects that people should be aware of. Muscle Milk’s products are labeled that they contain milk; the proteins in Muscle Milk are derived from milk so those with milk allergies should not take it. However, something that is not labeled on Muscle Milk is their use of unhealthy metals. According to WebMD.com, Muscle Milk contains amounts of lead and cadmium that are over the daily limit and also contains arsenic and mercury coming close to the daily limits. Consumers should also be aware of what the long-term effects of taking high doses of protein would be. Recent studies have found that casein promotes cancer cells to grow, and helps pre-cancer cells turn into cancer cells (Ribe). In addition to casein, the other main protein in Muscle Milk can be harmful as well. The Mayo Clinic states the overuse of whey protein over sustained periods of time could be as severe as abnormal heart rhythms, increased risk of diabetes, kidney dysfunction, or liver damage. Overall, Muscle Milk’s claims in their advertisements are absolutely correct and one will receive the intended results, but it is the unsaid side effects that will be of consequence over time. Muscle Milk is a great supplement and gives the results it describes, but there are different ways of gaining protein without having to take extra dietary supplements.
Whey protein, which is a key ingredient in this supplement, can be found in common foods and it is unnecessary to only derive them from these outside supplements. For example, in order to gain the same results as taking the Muscle Milk supplement, one can consume a glass of chocolate milk immediately after exercising. Whey protein is found in milk and sugar in the chocolate, a ratio of 1 to 4, is the ideal combination to maximize protein synthesis (Girandola). This healthy alternative can be taken to avoid the potential side effects of consuming Muscle Milk while still gaining lean muscle mass. The overall results affirmed that Muscle Milk’s claims of gaining lean muscle mass and recovering from exercise are accurate, however, the side effects and possible consequences of the supplement are not worth the gain it would
produce.
Supplements when it comes to working out are considered performance enhancing drugs. Creatine is one of the most widely used supplements on the market today. Other major supplements are protein, amino acids, and fish oil pills. Essentially, when someone is lifting weights they will take supplements to help build up muscle and to add weight. Ultimately, creatine ends up as water weight. On the back of a creatine label, it clearly states to drink an ample amount of water when consuming. Creatine can be good and bad for the human body, but is taking creatine for the purpose of working out worth the risk?
The supplement, known as Creatine or “Nature’s Steroid”, is the latest craze of the movement, and is selling over 100 million dollars in profit each year. “Creatine is a natural substance that was first discovered by a French Chemist named Chevreul” (Higher Power Creatine Web page). It is found in its highest form in lean red muscle tissue of animals and humans in the form of Creatine Phosphate. “Creatine must be combined with exercise to get an effect. When muscles are used to lift a weight, or perform any type of work, ATP (Adenosine Triphosphate) is quickly broken down to ADP (Adenosine Diphosphate) and energy is released. The amount of ATP stored in the muscle must rely on Creatine to restock its supply of ATP. This cycle is repeated throughout the training period. Therefore, the addition of supplementary creatine allows the duration of the body’s maximum effort to increase. Which basically means you can lift more weight for a longer period of time”(Applegate 25). Muscles will only increase in size when stimulated by a greater workload. For example, before one was using a Creatine supplement, he or she was bench-pressing 170 pounds, for 3 sets with 8 repetitions each set. With use of Creatine one is able to bench press 180 pounds, for 3 sets with ten repetitions per set. Thus, enhancing performance, and gradually increasing overall strength and muscle mass.
Experts recommend taking whey protein and amino acids within 15 to 30 minutes before workouts. Although people usually think of carbohydrates as fuel source, bodybuilders usually consider whey protein as the best source of energy for intense workouts. You need to take this just before training as a quick source of amino acids, or else your body will extract them from your own muscles. Whey will also aid growth and muscle recovery during workouts. You'll also need branched chain amino acids (BCAAs) in your pre workout to trick your brain into dampening fatigue so you can maintain strength for longer periods. Creatine is another important source of energy for working muscles. Finally, add beta-alanine to your mix to further boost your energy, muscle growth, endurance, strength, and fat loss.
Imagine living a life without eating anything with an animal product in it. No meat, fish, milk, eggs, honey, not even gelatin. Vegans are people who adapt a lifestyle where they live without any animal based goods; some do this for the health benefits that come with eliminating meats and dairy. Many become vegan as a way to protest and eliminate animal cruelty which is extremely apparent in the meat industry. A vegan diet is based largely on fruits, vegetables, grains, nuts, and soy. Many people would say this is unhealthy, that a person cannot live like this. Much of this skepticism comes from being misinformed, and under informed about veganism. It is safe to live a vegan lifestyle. On a vegan diet a person can get all the vitamins
Proteins are extremely important in the growth of muscles, combined with weight training; protein can enhance muscle mass gain. Dependent on the athlete, the balance between weight lifting and protein intake will vary; a professional or trainer will measure the needed amount. Thought, all athletes will need a high protein diet, short track sprinters will not intake as much as much as a football player, for the sprinter would have a high carbohydrate diet. Resulting in instant energy opposed to the football players need for muscle mass and stored energy for long exercise periods.
People love to eat meat. For over two million years, humans have relied on eating meat in order to survive or simply just because they enjoy the taste. Early humans had more powerful jaws and larger teeth and relied on meat as one of their main sources of food. As evolution took place and humans evolved, they developed smaller teeth and were only able to eat the meat if it was cooked. With humans evolving and being able to survive on foods other than meat, meat does not have to necessarily be a part of human diet anymore. Although many people have opted for a vegetarian lifestyle, most people still continue to eat meat and do not consider it a cruel act. Many have also stopped eating meat due health risks and environmental concern. Whether
Dietary supplements can be a good thing to use but they aren't always what they say they are. They are used by over half of all Americans and those people normally take a multivitamin or protein supplements after their workouts. In fact, whey protein is the most supplied dietary supplements among all Americans. People would also say that supplements are helpful when they become older in age, but then those people who believe supplements do not work at all. What they don't know is that if individuals take too much or too many supplements, it could hurt them and not benefit these people.
Would you drink something that is associated with health problems and even death? Well energy drinks are highly caffeinated beverages that many people have become depended on to get through certain things that need done. They are used to give individuals a quick energy boost to get things done. Today many people question how safe energy drinks really are for the quick energy they supply. In fact, a sixteen year old girl died of cardiac arrest just after ingesting an energy drink, while on vacation with friends. Almost everyone who enjoys drinking energy drinks, knows that high levels of caffeine are in these beverages, and they continue to drink the ignoring the risks. But some people are fine with the high levels of caffeine and just drink them because it makes them feel energized. They seem to accept the shocking circumstances because it helps them gets things done when they need the most energy. On the other hand, some people disagree and think that it is not only bad for individuals
First, Nutrition, A large percentage of a bodybuilder's success is determined by how well they use knowledge to nutrition. The limiting factor to thesuccess of your workout is what happens after you leave the gym. To explain, Nutrition consists of macronutrients and micronutrients. The macronutrients consist of protein, carbohydrates, fat, and water.(Richard Ramos) The micronutrients are vitamins, minerals, and trace elements. The best source of nutrition is through whole foods. A bodybuilder should never allow the use of supplements to overcome the consumption of whole foods. For a bodybuilder the most confusing part about the sport is making sure of good nutrition and diet. Well, ever herd “What you are is what you eat?” Its true! Most bodybuilders watch what they eat in their diet, If you workout without dieting, you're workouts are pointless. Plus you need to watch you're CALORIES! That being said, if you Put in more then you burn from a workout you end up burning all your calories, and whats left is used to create muscle. 500 calories in a pound of fat. For a client to gain one pound of muscle per week, you need to make sure that every seven days they (Muscles) have consume...
You've probably heard about how influential protein is to gaining muscle, but it also gives you
When most people hear the term ‘bodybuilding’ they think of massive, inhuman looking individuals, mostly males, who spend every waking minute in the gym lifting weights and injecting steroids. But that is not entirely true. Bodybuilding is much more complex than that, especially when it comes to nutrition. Bodybuilding is a lifestyle. There are many different factors that come in to play for professional bodybuilders, as well as the regular person who is looking to put on muscle mass or whatever their fitness goals might be. Some of those factors include nutrition, training, recovery, supplementation, as well as the controversial topic of drugs in the bodybuilding scene. Bodybuilding also has a unique history that should be addressed before diving into the topics of bodybuilding.
Breakfast is the first meal of the day and has always been said to be the most important. This meal is proven to promote better attitudes towards the day and gives people more energy for the day. Eating breakfast is supposed to prepare you for the day and promote better choices when it comes to choosing what to eat for the rest of the day. For some people eating breakfast isn’t a choice when it comes to weak stomachs not being able to handle the earliness of the meal, but what are the true benefits of eating breakfast? Studies show that breakfast is healthy for you, but making the healthy choices that make breakfast is what really proves its importance. Students are definitely affected if they don’t eat breakfast. Breakfast is a great way
Low-fat chocolate milk like NESQUIK helps refuel and restore muscles because research suggests it contains the ideal 3:1 ratio of carbohydrates-to-protein.
Breakfast is the most important meal of the day. It usually gives your body the essential nutrients it needs. It provides you with the energy you need to face the day. This is the reason why you should not skip breakfast. Breakfast does not only boost your body’s metabolism but can also jump-start your brain. When you take breakfast, you normally give your muscles glycogen. This means that you will have more energy and you won’t feel like a slug. This can make you to become more active and this will make you burn several calories. This can also help in weight loss and so on.
A lot of people are trying to build muscles in their body by working out. They work out by lifting heavy weights. However, when working out to building muscle, one needs to consume healthy foods and more proteins. After finishing a workout, the muscles in the body have microscopic tears to form in the fiber and connective tissues. This will cause the muscles to be tired and damaged. To repair the muscle, consume healthy foods and more protein. When one get enough foods in the body, the muscles will use the nutrients from the foods consumed and slowly rebuild, resulting in muscles in the body to increase size, strength, and muscle capacity. When I was in grade 9, I started to lift weight and I was new to it. After a few days of working out my body was experiencing any change. I realized that the reason my body was not experiencing change is because of what I was eating. I was not eating much protein and healthy foods. Later I started to eat foods that contain high protein and then I started to experience change, my muscles were getting bigger and stronger. Foods that contain high in protein can help to build muscles such as cottage cheese, chicken breast, whole eggs, canned tuna, etc. So therefore, having enough protein is the main key in order to build