Protein

Nutritional products that contain protein (e.g., amino acid tabs, protein pow- ders, BCAA's, etc.) are probably the most misunderstood of all nutritional supplements.

People supplement their nutritional programs with protein for a variety of reasons. Heart patients are often urged by their doctors to use protein supplementation as a source of low fat, life-sustaining protein. Individuals interested in weight/ fat-loss can also benefit from the low-calorie, high nutritional value of protein supplements. Additionally, underweight men, women, and children can benefit from the use of calorie dense protein drink mixes.

Since protein supplements are easily digested and absorbed in the intestine, they rate as one of the most effectiveand expedientmethods of supplying anabolic substrates for immediate availability to the body tissues.

Two Classifications of Protein

Dietary protein is basically divided into two classifications: Complete protein sources, commonly referred to as Class I Proteins, include all animal proteins (e.g., beef, chicken, fish, etc.) and dairy products (e.g., eggs, milk, cheese, etc.). Class I Protein sources provide all of the essential and nonessential amino acids necessary for proper tissue growth and metabolism. Additionally, Class I Protein sources have been found to have a high level of nitrogen retention or biological value (BV) in the body.

Class II Protein sources include vegetables, nuts, grains, seeds, and legumes. When combined correctly, these foods offer a complete source of protein. Class II Protein sources, however, are typically lower in biological value (B.V.), net protein utilization (N.P.U.), and protein efficiency rate (P.E.R.). These values are developed and determined by nutritionists to measure the protein quality of various foods based upon their amino acid composition.

Biological Value (B.V.): The percentage of absorbed nitrogen retained in the body.

Net Protein Utilization (N.P.U.): Includes the biological value and the degree of the food protein’s digestibility.

Protein Efficiency Ratio: (P.E.R.): This is based on the weight gain of a growing test animal divided by its protein intake over a study period of about 10 days. The U.S. Recommended Daily Allowance of Class I Protein for a 150 pound male is 45 grams per day. If the same 150 pound male obtained his protein from Class II Protein sources exclusively, his daily protein requirement for Class II protein sources would be 65 grams per day.

Several protein drink mixes available today are primarily comprised of carbohydrates and contain only 20 percent of Class II protein. When these protein drink mixes are combined with the amount of milk suggested in the mixing instructions, the percentage and quality of the protein increases greatly. This process allows the protein manufacturers to deceptively label these products.

All protein drink mixes and amino acid formulas listed in this catalog are derived from Class I Proteinsources.
Always keep in mind that in order for a protein’s amino acids to be available for the body's cells, the protein must be fully digested. The greater the volume of protein consumed and the lower its N.P.U., the more energy the body will require to properly digest it, thus the longer it will take for the amino acids to become available to the body tissues. Generally when food is digested, it takes approximately four to five hours for the nutrients to leave the small intestine and move to the target areas (i.e., amino pools, body tissues, etc.) where the amino acids are most needed. With a high quality anabolic drink mix, however, this process should only require one hour.