I am very excited to announce the release of the new Metroflex Sports Growth Cycle 10 Blend Constant Infusion Protein!

Read below about the superiority of this product and I can say in good conscience this the best tasting protein I have ever tried.

There are a few differences among types of protein:

• Protein Digestibility/ Assimilation- That is, how much of the protein your body can actually use to build/maintain muscle tissue and support overall health.
• Amino Acid Profile- There are 22 total amino acids, 8 of which are essential and must be ingested through the diet. Protein sources have different amounts and types of amino acids. Animal protein (whey, casein, eggs, etc.) contains an adequate amount of all amino acids essential for building tissue and maintaining life.
• Rate of Digestion- This is the rate at which the body can break down and absorb the type of protein. Every type of protein is broken down into individual amino acids, where it is then ready to be utilized in the blood stream. Casein and Egg protein have distinct characteristics to be taken advantage of. Egg protein is digested at a medium pace compared to whey and casein; yielding a digestion rate of 2-3 hours, where plasma amino acid content is achieve for up to 5-6 hours thereafter before taping off. Egg is high in a variety of non-essential amino acids such as glycine and alanine and has been considered the ideal protein source for decades. Casein protein is the slowest digesting protein as it forms a gel in the stomach where it results in an amino acid trickle into the blood stream.

Additional Amino Acids: The Big 4 You Don’t Want To Miss!

Of the 22 amino acids required in the diet, certain amino acids rise on the list of having more desirable traits than others. Of those, leucine, isoleucine, valine and glutamine are among the few on top and should be included in an optimal protein beverage.

Branched Chained amino acids consist of Isoleucine, Leucine and Valine. These three amino acids have gotten more press in the media today than basically any other type of amino acid combination. The reason is simple: they directly correlate to increased muscle recovery and growth, increased fat loss, increased strength, more energy, and a higher anabolic environment in the body among other things.

Why is obtaining these separately important if they are already present in the protein sources? Research has shown ingesting additional BCAAs to have astonishing benefits:

They are free form amino acids and get absorbed much more quickly than if they were part of a protein source. The body has to break down protein sources to yield the BCAAs and total assimilation and absorption may be comprised when obtaining the benefits BCAA’s has to offer is desired.

Besides including the best sources types of protein sources and key amino acids, there are a couple types of protein fractions that should be utilized to obtain the ideal protein supplement: colostrum and lactoferrin.

Colostrum is a special type of milk protein that is only available for a short time after the calf is born. It is unique in the sense that it has a super concentration of antibodies, antioxidants, immunoglobulins, growth factors, vitamins, and minerals. In regard to sports nutrition, it provides the following benefits:

• Significant increase in lean body mass compared to whey
• Significantly boosts immunity and decreases recovery time
• Provides serum IGF-1 increases. Colostrum will naturally boost IGF-1 resulting in various performance and health benefits.

Lactoferrin is a rare protein from cow's milk, totaling .2 grams per liter of milk. Similar to colostrum, it provides astonishing benefits to immunity health and is known as one of the most powerful immune enhancing compounds in nature. With lactoferrin, one can expect:

• Powerful antioxidant properties
• Antibacterial, antiviral and anti fungal support
• Production of good flora in the gut for healthy digestion
• Provide anti-inflammatory support

Conclusion: Putting It All Together

Without question, a specific variety of proteins, amino acids and specialty protein fractions are the best choice for creating the ultimate protein beverage for sports performance and health.

Be one of the first to try this awesome product at JoshStrength.

A bottle of this stuff is pretty expensive and labels on its bottles make claims to "emulsify body fat" and to get "CLeAn". Yes, these cheesy claims and catchphrases have been printed on bottles of CLA. CLA's functions are misunderstood and for the lay consumer, may never be understood at all. Unknowledgeable consumers might assume that it's a new brand of fish or flax oil.

CLA is a naturally occurring fatty acid that can be ingested through meats and dairy products and increases lipid oxidation and reduces storage by affecting respective enzymes. In lay terms, CLA inhibits enzymes which cause dietary fat to be stored in our fat cells. CLA also serves as a catalyst in speeding up the rate that fat is metabolized, which leads to an increase in lean body mass, especially if the subject is resistance / strength training (1). CLA has been proven to balance HDL and LDL cholesterol levels, and stave off arthrosclerosis (2). In just 12 weeks, obese subjects supplementing with CLA, experienced and increases in LBM and decreased in serum HDL-cholesterol (3). Bodybuilders and strength athletes could benefit from the effects of CLA, as it reduced blood cortisol levels (1).

Healthy individuals should consider supplementing with CLA, provided they receive the green light from their doctor. People may be deficient in CLA, as some may not ingest enough or any meats or dairy products due to poor diet and / or dietary restrictions.

References

1. Lowery LM, Apicelli PA, Lemon PW. Conjugated lineolic acid enhances muscle size and strength gains in novice bodybuilders. Med and Sci in Spor and Sci. 1998;30(3):182.

2. Gaullier JM, Halse J, Hoye K. Conjugated lineolic acid supplementation for 1 y reduces body fat mass in healthy overweight humans. Am J Clin Nutr. 2004;79(6):1118-25.

3. Steck SE, Chalecki AM, Miller P. Conjugated lineolic acid supplemenation for twelve weeks increases lean body mass in obese humans. J Nutr. 2007;137(5):1188-93.

About the author:

Joe Giandonato is a Philadelphia-area personal trainer and corporate health coach. He holds a Master of Science in exercise science and is a certified strength-and-conditioning specialist.

Glutamine, an amino acid, makes up one of the 20 non-essential amino acids and is found in the human body. It enhances glycogen re-synthesis and attenuates overall recovery from repeated bouts of exercise. Exogenous glutamine consumption has shown to increase muscular endurance, reduce the inflammatory response caused via exercise or trauma, and has helped burned victims and those suffering from gastrointestinal issues, such as short bowel syndrome (1,2).

Glutamine is an excellent tool for recovery. Given glutamine's ability to enhance glycogen re-synthesis, persons supplementing with it should ingest it immediately after exercise. Leaner individuals should ingest glutamine + carbohydrates following exercise, whereas individuals who are looking to drop body fat, should ingest a mix containing far fewer carbohydrates with more glutamine. Additionally, those suffering from digestive issues may consider taking glutamine to improve GI tract absorption, with their physician’s approval.

References

1. Windle EM. Glutamine supplementation in critical illness: evidence, recommendations, and implications for clinical practice in burn care. J Burn Care Res. 2006;27(6):764-72.

2. Byrne TA, Persinger RL, Young LS. A new treatment for patients with short bowel syndrome. Growth hormone, glutamine, and a modified diet. Ann Surg. 1995;222(3):243-55.

About the author:

Joe Giandonato is a Philadelphia-area personal trainer and corporate health coach. He holds a Master of Science in exercise science and is a certified strength-and-conditioning specialist.