Lenny and Larrys
Exercise and a sensible diet are hallmarks of a healthy lifestyle. However, many people need to improve their understanding of how exercise and diet work in tandem for peak health and athletic performance. Athletes rely on ever nutrient to working for them or they risk their body not reacting the way they need it to. For example, a professional road cyclist consumes up to 7,000 calories during a race that lasts four to five hours. Those calories include nutrients used as fuel during a process called metabolism. Consequently, like all endurance athletes, professional road cyclists must pay close attention to protein absorption and carbohydrate intake. Riding a bike up a 10% incline for 10-15 miles is only possible with an understanding of nutrient absorption and muscle recovery, which requires basic body-building blocks like digested protein.
What is the 30-Minute Protein Window?
The 30-minute protein window is the theoretical recognition of an optimal window for consuming protein for muscle healing and growth after training and athletic performance. Specifically, the "window" represents the length of time it takes muscles to go from catabolic to anabolic conditions. While the protein window is different for everyone, 30 minutes is an excellent place to start because it gets people thinking about nutrition at the macronutrient level.
A protein window is a period when muscles are healing after strenuous use. The window varies depending on many factors, including metabolic rate via catabolic to anabolic states. Catabolic reactions describe using muscles and breaking down muscle tissue; anabolic reactions are the healing and building states of muscle growth.
Understanding Protein Absorption
Metabolic science has advanced beyond defining a specific 30-minute muscle healing and growth window. This means the time an individual takes to eat protein and put it to use, building muscle. This window represents the need for protein while muscles heal after working them.
Protein from plants and animals can't be absorbed without digestion, breaking the complex protein molecules into amino acids. These amino acids specifically target muscles needing extra building blocks for healing. Defining metabolism via catabolic and anabolic conditions brings protein absorption into sharper focus.
- Metabolism – Most people have a basic understanding of metabolism, but fewer understand what it means according to good nutrition. Foundationally, metabolism is a group of chemical reactions that occur during digestion. These chemicals work throughout the digestive system. Mammals, like humans, need healthy metabolisms to ensure digested protein goes where it's needed.
- Catabolism – When people eat, catabolism begins breaking down complex molecules into substances used throughout the body. The goal of catabolism is anabolism. Eating protein to kickstart the catabolic reaction after an intense workout helps the body maintain a routine. Over time the body adjusts to eating specific foods for a particular purpose, like building muscle.
- Anabolism – Catabolism causes anabolism, or the building of substances used to fuel the body. The human body cannot use protein until digestion changes it into amino and fatty acids. When considering the protein absorption rate, think of it in terms of metabolism. Some have slow metabolism others digest food quickly.
Determining Protein Absorption Rate
Knowing essential information about metabolism helps dietary scientists study protein absorption rates at the individual level. According to recommended dietary (RDA), protein intake is 0.8 grams per kilogram of body weight. The amount of protein needed for optimal absorption depends on factors like age, weight, and genetics.
A nutritionist should be able to help with the recommended amounts of dietary protein.