Casein Protein - What You Need to Know

Casein protein like whey protein powder comes from milk. 80% of cow?s milk protein is in the form of casein, the other 20% is whey. Casein is removed from the milk through ultra filtration without chemicals. This leaves more active milk peptides in the protein to boost immune function and enhance muscle growth.

Casein is known as a slow digesting protein because it can take up to 7 hours to fully digest it. Basically, casein forms a gel within your gut, releasing amino acids slowly and steadily into your blood stream. The amino acids in your blood stream will peak about 3-4 hours after consuming it. Compare this to 40 minutes with whey protein, and one hour to fully digest.

Casein does little to impact actual protein synthesis, or muscle building, but because of its slow release it actually helps in suppressing protein breakdown. Muscle breakdown can be detrimental to your weight-training program. Muscle growth occurs best under increased protein synthesis and decreased protein breakdown.

Because of the above statement, it is best to use casein protein in conjunction with whey protein. With Casein it is all about timing. Casein is the only protein you should eat before you go to bed. Why? This provides protein throughout the night when you are sleeping 6-8 hours without eating food. This prevents muscle from being broke down during your sleep. Talk about a waste.

Three forms of Casein exist: