Should supplemental shakes be taken in with normal food?

[Stonecold54]

this is my own little hypothesis and I have no research to support it. but wouldn't it do better to eat a shake with a dinner (or any meal in that case) to help absoption of the protein and other things. I just have sneaking suspicion that supplement don't absorb that well when taken alone because of the high concentrations of the supps. This is all my own thinking. But through my own usage I have noticed that I can eat less real food and get better gains than when I eat more supplement shakes and get worse results.

[Puma]

Perhaps..

Again, no research to support any of this, but..

When I take large amounts of protein without any food, I know that I lose some of it. I always have to shit about an hour after I take it, and I know some of that is undigested protein.

I always try to take my protein with some "real" food now.. However, I have noticed 2 other things. My ability to process protein seems to have gotten better the longer I BB. I can slam about 45-50 grams on an empty stomach now, and not be in the bathroom 20 mintues later. Also, when I am using AAS, my ability to digest protein also seems to go up. I can go as high as 60-70 grams at one time and not seem to lose it right away.

That said, this is all "gut feeling" type stuff here. Not a lick of research to support any of this. Actually, if your reading this post, just forget everything I just said, its probably wrong. :)

Puma/Ripped

[YellowJacket]

Actually, this is a valid argument, and I believe has a lot to do with people starting to realize that mixing dextrose (carbs) and flax or fish oil (essential fatty acids) yields slightly better gains than a simple, 100% whey shake in water. Call me crazy, but I always like to mix my shakes in milk, not water. Im not too concerned with the taste (if youre into bodybuilding hardcore, you've learned you have to rule out taste), but simply because I feel its a bit more beneficial.

Also, protein blends are becoming more popular, not just for breakfast or midnight snack, but as a post workout alternative as well. More complex carbs are being added, instead of simple sugars and casein and milk isolate are being added as well.

Like both of you gentlemen said, if you feel youre better off with taking them with food (and I would tend to agree with you) keep on doing it. Research is great, but trial and error is what gets it done for you.

Good post.

[bigpetefox]

Re: Perhaps..

Originally posted by Puma
Also, when I am using AAS, my ability to digest protein also seems to go up. I can go as high as 60-70 grams at one time and not seem to lose it right away.

This is common, the main function of any AAS is enhanced protein synthesis.. This explains why patients with wasting disorders are given anabolics to combat their symptoms..

I also use bromelain and papain enzymes, so 50-60g whey isn't totally wasted.. ;)


What's up, Bee? :)

[YellowJacket]

Petefox! I tried calling you the other day but no luck, I was hoping to talk to the biggest guy on the internet.....

Hoe ya been??

[Stonecold54]

I am of the mind though that no matter what your intestines are pumping out it still does not give you an accurate picture of what you are absorbing and what you are not. Just because for the first few weeks you shit a lot from the protein shakes and then you stop does not mean that your body is absorbing more protein, it just means your body is getting used to a certain substance. just like if you move to mexico then you are going to be shitting your brains out for the first few months but eventually your body will get used to the new culture and parasites. that is why i will always advocate smaller bursts of protein (30-40 grams per meal) That way you know that you are getting most if not all of what you are eating and not wasting precious dollars. Just some of my thoughts again I have no research to back up my hypothesis.

[ZHowitzer!]

Puma,

Try not to be to concerned with the time frame of your movements in relation to your protien intake. Trust me...if you are "leaving" a dump with in an hour or less of taking in protien...your NOT losing the protien that you JUST put in your body.

It is actually like classical conditioning...but for the body. (actuall it is something called your pyloric responce) If your eating 6+ times a day your body begins to do a number of <mostly> good things including increasing the number of times that it needs to eject "processed" food. It takes the things that you need and well--shits the rest out. I joke about being just like a puppy...i eat, then I poop...it's that simple, or about having a continous line of "produce" from my mouth to my bootie hole, and when I eat it's only natural that it pushes the same ammount out (again -- it's a joke and in NO way what is really happening). But what IS happening is that your body's pyloric reflex is triggered when you eat, and it gets your dump truck workin.

Although some unprocessed protien may be passed as stool, the best way to tell if your taking in too much is to watch your urine. If it becomes cloudy then cut back on your intake...and if it's cloudy AND foamy...well your pissin your kidneys off and theres a bit more to that. I think YJ has answered one of Bouncers posts with great advice about all of tht!

As far as the protien with food...I havn't seed any studies (not that they dont exist)...but research comes from trial. If you're in tune with your body, and it seems to get positive results from a certian way of taking in protien...your probably right! Most peoples problem is that their body talks ...they just dont listen (i.e. HANGOVERS:drunk: )

[Bouncer]

I guess im odd. I can have a protein shake with juice or water with about 60-70 grams of protein and I never get any kind of gas or the shits. Maybe some people absorb protein better then others?

[bigpetefox]

Originally posted by THE BOUNCER
I guess im odd. I can have a protein shake with juice or water with about 60-70 grams of protein and I never get any kind of gas or the shits. Maybe some people absorb protein better then others?

I'm the same way.. I guess it's all about your body's tolerance, and how well you digest it..

YJ, I'll hit you tonight if you ain't filmin' another GGW.. :agree:

[spidey]

I mix my protein up in half OJ half water. That allows me to tune the amount of carbs I get with the shake and it tastes better too. I've never had a problem with the shits or gas either.