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Aaron McConnell
Aaron McConnell is owner and operator of MAC Fitness in Pittsburg. Aaron is a former Pittsburg State University, NFL, and AFL football player. He was the only 4 time All-American at Pittsburg State, was on the AFL All League team in 2008, and because of his ability to play both offensive and defensive lines, he was selected to the 2010 All Iron Man Team. For more information or to reach Aaron, please call 620-875-1104
Fitness
2011-09-29 15:30:46
Best time to take protein
Q: I have been getting all kinds of advice about when I should take my protein supplement. Some people drink their protein right after working out but others have told me it is better to take it just before working out. They say the protein will then have time to get into your blood. I would like to know, which is better?
A: True, you will hear people saying how important it is to take protein before a workout, and others after. All of the talk leads people to wonder if it is not just the next fad, next craze, next much ado about nothing. However, protein intake is vital to your workout. Without adequate protein, our bodies cannot build strong cells and muscles could not repair or build as quickly. It is always best to take protein after a workout, particularly if you are an athlete. During a workout, your muscles are stressed by the intense contraction, causing micro-tears. These tears begin to heal within 30 minutes of a workout. When you take protein right after a workout, it can be delivered to the muscle quickly to build it up and repair the micro-tears. This process of building up is called protein synthesis and spikes for about 45 minutes after a workout and remains somewhat elevated for several hours. I would suggest a protein powder as it is readily usable by the body, whereas food takes time to digest and you may miss that 30-minute window when it is most opportune for building muscle mass. I am not so particular about the type of protein, whether it is egg, casein, soy, or whey, although whey seems to be most popular. Regardless if your goal is weight loss or muscle gain, protein should be a foundational part of your program. Good luck in your fitness quest!
 
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