During the off-season I like to supplement my diet with protein drinks. It is no secret that it is much easier to take in 5-8 meals a day if you make some of these meals liquid meals. In the past, I used to use whey based protein drinks throughout the day to meet my protein requirements. While this is not a bad practice, I did notice that they were digested too quickly leaving me then with an empty feeling on my stomach. Then I later read in a Muscle and Fitness (or Flex; don't remember) an article from former 6-time Mr. Olympia Dorian Yates describing how he used to do the same thing back on his competitive days and how his results improved once he switched to protein blends that contained fast and slow release proteins. That statement peaked my curiosity so I started to do some research on the subject. I turned to Vince Andrich's book with Robert Thoburn "No Mistakes" to find the answers I was looking for. I know Vince personally and we have had long discussions regarding nutrition and I can tell you that this guy knows his stuff! He has been involved in the industry for over 23 years and also wrote the Sports Supplements Review (4th Edition) back when he worked for EAS. In any case, Vince explains the following in his book "No Mistakes":
"You see, in order to get your muscles bigger as quickly as possible, you've got to do a couple of things: (1) Reduce the breakdown (termed catabolism) of the muscle protein you already have, and (2) increase the building (termed anabolism) of new muscle protein. When protein anabolism exceeds catabolism, the result is a net gain in muscle mass that you can see in the mirror and have envied by your friends.
Your protein supplement should address both sides of the muscle-building equation. It should help your body slam the brakes on muscle protein catabolism as it hits the gas pedal on muscle protein anabolism. Like 'regular' food, most protein supplements do only one."
Turns out that whey based proteins are released into the blood stream pretty quickly. While this is great for a post workout meal, it is not so optimal for thoughout the day as the faster a protein supplement is absorbed into the body the more likely it is that the amino acids that make up such protein are wasted by the body. By wasted I mean that the body uses the amino acids as fuel for energy instead of using them for construction, which is what we are looking for. Having said this, am I implying that whey is a bad protein choice. Not at all! While consumption of whey does promote amino acid wastage, it also enhances protein synthesis (anabolism), a process that is crucial for muscle growth. Whey increases leucine levels (the most potent amino acid to stimulate protein synthesis) almost as quickly as an amino acid injection (Boirie et al.,1997). Now we are missing the other half of the equation, as Vince refers to it, which is to stop muscle catabolism (protein breakdown). There are two ways to stop that; either consume protein from real food or from a slow released source such as casein. So a solution would be to have some whey with a chicken breast or some whey with skim milk. Neither solution works if convenience is what you are after, as the first one requires that you eat some real food and the second one requires refrigeration and that you not be allergic to milk. Also, if you are watching your carbs, the skim milk solution is out as eight ounces add 13 grams of simple sugars. Enter Protein Component from Prolab.
PRODUCT INFORMATION
Protein Component is a protein supplement that increases protein synthesis and decreases protein breakdown by including both slow and fast acting proteins. A 2 scoop serving of Protein Component delivers 40 grams of protein from a blend of Calcium Caseinate, Whey Protein Concentrate, Whey Protein Isolate, L-Glutamine, and Micellular Casein.
Below is the nutritional information per serving:
Supplement Facts
Serving Size: 2 Scoops (55 g) |  | | | Amount Per Serving | % Daily Value* | | | Calories | 255 | | | Calories from Fat | 35 | | | Total Fat | 4 g | 6%** | | Saturated Fat | 1 g | 5%** | | Cholesterol | 25 mg | 8% | | Sodium | 90 mg | 4% | | Total Carbohydrate | 7 g | 2%** | | Dietary Fiber | 4 g | 16%** | | Sugars | 2 g | *** | | Protein | 40 g | 80%** | | Calcium | 450 mg | 45% | | Phosphorus (as dipotassium phosphate) | 230 mg | 23% | | Potassim (as dipotassium phosphate) | 160 mg | 5% | | L-Glutamine | 2 g | *** | | **Percent Daily Values are Based on a 2,000 Calorie Diet.
***Daily Value not established. |
Size/Form:
2 lbs. 1 oz. (935 g) Recommended Daily Dosage:
Mix two scoops with 8-12 oz. of cold water (according to preferred thickness and flavor) using a shaker cup or spoon. Other Ingredients:
Protein Blend (Calcium Caseinate, Whey Protein Concentrate, Whey Protein Isolate, L-Glutamine, Micellular Casein), Gum Arabic, Sunflower Oil, Natural and Artificial Flavors, Ground Cinnamon, Dipotassium Phosphate, Lecithin, Carrageenan, Mono and Diglycerides, and Sucralose. Other:
KEEP OUT OF REACH OF CHILDREN. STORE IN A COOL DRY PLACE. † These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent disease.
ADDED BENEFITS
It is convenient as you do not need a blender to consume it as it is already instantized. Also, in addition to the protein, it delivers 4 grams of good fats from sunflower oil, 4 grams of fiber to help increase the fiber content of your diet and also 2 grams of L-Glutamine! Now, how does it taste? Let's just say that this is the only protein powder that my wife can stomach. She absolutely loves it! It comes in Vanilla, Chocolate and the unique Cinnamon Oatmeal. My favorite breakfast is a cup of oats mixed with 2 scoops of the Cinnamon Oatmeal protein; I swear it feels like you are cheating on your diet. Alternatively I may have it before going to bed by just using half of the water and making a pudding out of it.
Regarding how it is sweetened there is no need to worry as no Aspartame was used. It is sweetened with Sucralose (Splenda), a sugar derived sweetener that is 800 times sweeter than sugar.
CONCLUSION
Due to the fact that this product does offer awesome nutrition, convenience and great taste, I rate this product a 10 in the category of protien supplements for in between meal use.
For more information please visit www.prolab.com.
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