protein powder

[zlisasking]

Is anyone right now using protein powder ?

I was recommended to drink protein powder to get more energy supply, but I have no idea of which brand is better and how to drink it and how to banlance it with my daily food intake?

AND can our people with Diabetes use protein powder?

thank u~

[foxl]

There are many brands out there. I like Designer Whey because I bought it first, it is readily available at my store and thru the interwebs, and ... it's CHEAP! :D Lots of calcium too!

[Veektor]

I just started drinking a protein shake as meal replacements / low carb diet. I use Muscle Milk as it has Whey and Casein. Both have their benefits. My shake regimen consist of 1 in the early am when I wake, 1 for lunch and 1 right before bed. I eat small meals throughout the day but very low carb. Big adjustment but I feel more energy in the morning and workout recovery is less painful. I like it so far.

I forgot to mention. Drink lots of water to match the amount of protein eaten. For every gram of protein = 1.2 ounce of water.

[Ray4Rick]

I've started drinking protein shakes last week and drink one after every workout and I have to say it fills me up and takes away cravings. I haven't had a high BG ever since. I use the Whey Protein, can think of the company name right now, but it has a Vanilla Ice Cream flavor to it. I add frozen straberries and ice and make a shake with it. DELICIOUS!! :T

[ShottleBop]

I am finding that Designer Whey (the one recommended above by foxl causes less of a rise in my after-breakfast blood sugars than do the premixed shakes from Premier Nutrition. I mix mine with unsweetened almond milk.

[DeusXM]

I sometimes mix a generic one with water when I can't be arsed to make a proper breakfast, or if I've been exercising and working my muscles. Went snowboarding last night, was aching all over with a BG of 6.0 when I finished. Ate a small baguette with cheese and turkey, washed down with protein powder drink. Didn't even cover with a bolus and I woke up this morning at 3.9. Got it just about right that time - exercise has a massive delay effect on my BG and if I really work it I could eat a gallon of glucose and still be running normal.

[foxl]

I sometimes mix a generic one with water when I can't be arsed to make a proper breakfast, or if I've been exercising and working my muscles. Went snowboarding last night, was aching all over with a BG of 6.0 when I finished. Ate a small baguette with cheese and turkey, washed down with protein powder drink. Didn't even cover with a bolus and I woke up this morning at 3.9. Got it just about right that time - exercise has a massive delay effect on my BG and if I really work it I could eat a gallon of glucose and still be running normal.

Dare I ask snowboarding where?

[miscreant]

I've used just about all of them over the years. I currently use 4 different kinds. There are different protein sources (whey, soy, casein, micellars, rice), with different uses, and differing properties. Most of my buds come to me when shopping for what to buy. Don't listen to the people at GNC who spew out what the current article they just read says. If you have specific questions, just ask here or PM me (though usually the answers posted here would help others).

Protein as an energy "source" is pretty much an old wives tail. It's very difficult for your body to convert protein into glucose. However, certain amino acids present in protein are important in the conversion of energy in the body. That said, exogenous intake of supplemental protein is not normally needed for there to be plenty of these amino's available...that is unless you are not getting enough protein in your diet, with which I would recommend correcting your diet first.

I guess the question I would pose is, what kind of energy problems are you having?

As for if "diabetics" can use protein, yes we can. How well our bodies make use of the protein depends on alot of factors, because insulin and our bodies response to insulin is an important factor in protein utilization.

As for general recommendations, I would highly recommend the following for Diabetics:

1) For fast acting protein (only really of use for those that weight train) - [NytroWhey Extreme] from Prosource (am I allowed to post links to the company?).

Reasons:
1) Fast acting Whey Isolate
2) Very low in carbs (like 1g) - this is nice if you want to add or NOT add carbs to your shake. Mix in water, and no BS effect. Add carbs for a BS effect. Makes it more flexible.

2) For slow acting proteins -this would be what I would recommend for everyone else, because these proteins (specifically micellar casein) actually forms a clump in your belly and is digested slowly making you feel full longer and giving you a more constant supply over several hours - [NytroPlex GF] from Prosource. This is a blend of Whey, Egg, and Micellar Casein (the last being the key really).

Reasons:
1) Slowly digested, full feeling
2) Low in carbs - the FULL serving is 5 carbs, 2g fiber, but I don't recommend the FULL serving.
SERVING SIZE = the serving size on the Nytroplex is 3 scoops, but that's 55g protein, which is more than most would every need in one sitting. I highly recommend that you use half that, 1.5 scoops, for 22.5g protein (more realistic use), and 2.5g total carbs (of which some is fiber).

Read this page for some good info (http://www.prosource.net/content/articles/Articles-by-ProSource/choosing-nytrowhey.aspx)

I've been a fan of Prosource for years. I have never been disatisfied with them. They have some of the BEST prices on the net, and they have some very good branded (Prosource Brand) products. They ship quick.

Hope this helps.

[DeusXM]

Dare I ask snowboarding where?

Ski Dubai - that real snow indoor slope they've got in the middle of the desert here.

Protein as an energy "source" is pretty much an old wives tail. It's very difficult for your body to convert protein into glucose.

Oh dear. This is a bit of a red rag. Good luck, you're on your own.

[BlueSky]

... It's very difficult for your body to convert protein into glucose. ...
Excess protein is converted into glucose quite readily. It is a very expensive source of glucose, though. You get better value from a low GI carbohydrate, like fruit. The phyto nutrients that come with it are an added bonus. IMO, there is no sense in consuming more protein than your amino acid and nitrogen usage requires.

[miscreant]

Not to thread hijack, but this does pertain to the question. Let's have a healthy debate.

I say old wives tail because modern, recent research is starting to unravel truth concerning protein utilization and what REALLY occurs. Most of the readings/speculations concerning protein 1) easily converting to, and 2) readily converting to glucose are proving to be incorrect - at least the further speculations that indicate that this "easiness" and "readiness" affects blood sugar levels.

The scientific community continues to quote studies from the early 1900's that indicated that 50-60% of protein is converted to glucose in the body. You'll find that virtually all the "studies" obtain these numbers on speculation and theory based on semi-related outcomes - not measured outcomes.

Modern studies, while still not conclusive, have shown that protein "may" convert to glucose, but it may convert mostly to the biologically inactive form of L-glucose or convert at a much lower rate or even perhaps the glucose formed via gluconeogenesis actually attached to certain amino acids which signals transportation to skeletal muscle cells and not the blood stream. But what they have shown through actual subject testing is that protein intake has minimal effect, if any, on blood-glucose levels, and actually has a slowing effect on blood-glucose rise when consumed with glucose. The problem is the original studies assumed that if protein converts to glucose, it must go to the blood stream - that appears to be incorrect (YMMV).

I personally know of noone who has ever had to make large changes to their insulin dosage to cover their protein intake. I am not saying that some people may be different than others, and perhaps their physiological response is to a higher degree. If I am having a baked potato and a steak, I don't need to factor in the 35g of protein in the steak. If old literature is true, the steak should count as 15-20g of carbs - that's 1-2 extra units. No way - if I bolused for even 10g, I'd go low. I bolus for the potato, and hit my target, even if I don't have the steak...

I was trying to find multiple instances to support my position, but I found this which does a nice job of pointing out some of the flaws in todays thinking, with a couple of the studies attached.

Protein Controversies in Diabetes (http://journal.diabetes.org/diabetesspectrum/00v13n3/pg132.htm)

[fgummett]

I think you'll find reports from several Type 1 D's here on DF who find that: unless they include Protein in their meal-time bolus calculations, their BGs will go too high. For myself, eating very low to zero carbs, I still get a significant DP... that BG has to be coming from somewhere :)

[miscreant]

I think you'll find reports from several Type 1 D's here on DF who find that: unless they include Protein in their meal-time bolus calculations, their BGs will go too high.

I fully admit that everyone is different. But from all that I have researched, this is not the norm. It's extremely possible that other physiological responses and mechanisms can be occurring that leads to the higher rate of conversion, or the transport to the blood stream. But I know several Type 1s on a specific 70/30 regimen or pumping, that do not have to factor protein in. I personally take in enormous amounts of protein on off weeks for 5 days (250g), then carb load with minimal protein (sort of) on the weekend, and my ratios do not change one bit.

I just do not subscribe to the blanket theory that protein intake "will" raise blood glucose.

For myself, eating very low to zero carbs, I still get a significant DP... that BG has to be coming from somewhere :)

Interesting. I just started a multi-protein shake (containing Micellar Casein, a 7 hour protein - NytroPlex above), 40g before bed for the last two weeks and my DP is gone. I used to go up 20-30 points, now waking at high 70s, low 80s every morning. A couple times I have doubted it, and checked myself when getting up to flush my bladder, and I'm in between my night reading and my morning reading.

[fgummett]

Metformin improves hyperglycemia primarily through its suppression of hepatic glucose production (hepatic gluconeogenesis). The "average" person with type 2 diabetes has three times the normal rate of gluconeogenesis; metformin treatment reduces this by over one third. Metformin - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Metformin)

[shiftzor]

Well as far as I know you should be looking for 85%+ protein as this cuts out the other rubbish they put in as "filler".

Protein does effect the blood sugar level from my person experience, as a type 1 I notice the effect my blood sugar level hours after I have consumed too much protein. I don't count protein because I prefer to reduce my protein intake. Insulin dosing tends to be pretty inaccurate which often makes up for the excess protein in a normal meal unless it is very large. I have considered counting it and in a perfect world I would. ;)

I regularly take whey protein so supplement my mountain biking and workouts. Its had a very positive effect on my recovery time and muscle mass. ;)

[MCS]

miscreant, I am looking for a Whey Protien Hydrosylates that does not have any carbs and Phenylalanine has not been added. got any ideas

I've used just about all of them over the years. I currently use 4 different kinds. There are different protein sources (whey, soy, casein, micellars, rice), with different uses, and differing properties. Most of my buds come to me when shopping for what to buy. Don't listen to the people at GNC who spew out what the current article they just read says. If you have specific questions, just ask here or PM me (though usually the answers posted here would help others).

[miscreant]

miscreant, I am looking for a Whey Protien Hydrosylates that does not have any carbs and Phenylalanine has not been added. got any ideas


Try the protein factory,
Best Protein Powder - Best Whey Protein - Caseinate Protein- ProteinFactory.com (http://proteinfactory.com/shop/home.php?cat=1)

Fully customizable - not exactly cheap, but you get a good product. Unfortunately, mainstream retail products tend to have Phenylalanine - I don't believe protein factory has this in their ingredient list, ever.

[MCS]

Will check today, thanks.