Protein is key to setting the foundation for muscle growth, but carbohydrate intake enhances this process. Examples of carbohydrates include whole grains, fruits, vegetables, and dairy products.
Both protein and carbs are important for muscle building, but protein plays a more significant role in muscle repair and growth. Consuming an adequate amount of protein, along with carbohydrates for energy, is essential for optimizing muscle protein synthesis.
Make-up of muscle
An individual muscle fibre is made up of blocks of proteins called myofibrils, which contain a specialised protein (myoglobin) and molecules to provide the oxygen and energy required for muscle contraction.
Gaining muscle typically requires a combination of adequate protein intake and resistance training. While consuming protein-rich foods is essential for muscle repair and growth, simply eating protein without engaging in any form of exercise will not lead to significant muscle gain.
Carbs don't directly build muscle, but they do cause insulin release which does cause protein synthesis. You would theoretically have more muscle building potential by pairing protein and carbs after a workout rather than just protein alone.
These data suggest that carbohydrate loading may contribute to an acute increase in muscle volume and physical appearance, however, it needs to be better planned to minimize gastrointestinal symptoms in bodybuilders.
Research suggests that bodybuilders who are trying to gain substantial muscle growth or increased body mass should consume about 5-6 grams of carbohydrates per kilogram of body weight per day (Slater, 2011).
Hence, the two-hour rule: 20 grams of protein immediately after working out and another 20 grams two hours later. According to Dr. Kim White, senior scientist at the Gatorade Sports Science Institute, muscles fully absorb the initial 20 grams of protein within two hours post-exercise.
Increase the intensity of your workouts instead of working out for long periods of time. Make sure you're getting enough calories and protein in your diet for muscle growth. Get plenty of sleep and give your muscles time for recovery. Try supplements for more strength, energy, and power, like creatine and HMB.
The American Heart Association recommends choosing healthy sources of proteins, mostly from plant sources; regularly eating fish and seafood; substituting fat-free and low-fat dairy products in place of full-fat versions; and for people who eat meat or poultry, choosing those that are lean and unprocessed.
To build muscle, aim to eat 1.4– 2.2 grams of protein per kilogram of body weight each day, says Cynthia Sass, RD, a registered dietitian and board-certified specialist in sports dietetics based in Los Angeles. (To calculate your approximate weight in kilograms, divide your weight in pounds by 2.2.)
Scientists have found that a major reason people lose muscle is because they stop doing everyday activities that use muscle power, not just because they grow older. Muscular atrophy is the decrease in size and wasting of muscle tissue. Muscles that lose their nerve supply can atrophy and simply waste away.
It's okay to cut back on carbs and eat more protein, but make sure you're also getting some carbs in your daily diet. “If you take any healthy diet, 40% to 60% of calories should come from unprocessed carbs,” says Dr. Hauser. For someone on a 2,000 calorie-a-day diet, 40% would be 800 calories or 200 grams of carbs.
Studies have shown that regular egg consumption can lead to increased muscle mass gain. In one study, a group of healthy young men who consumed 3 eggs per day over the course of 12 weeks experienced significant increases in muscle mass compared to a control group that did not consume eggs.
To achieve strength and up your muscle growth, you'll have to lift heavy weights for fewer repetitions (six or fewer reps) and longer rest periods. Powerlifters use this method. Either way, you have to continue to challenge yourself to see continued growth over time.
The 6-12-25 Protocol is a powerhouse training protocol that harnesses the intensity of giant sets to pack high-volume work into a short period. By targeting one muscle group or body part per set, this method takes you through three different exercises with minimal rest, hitting 6, 12, and 25 reps in quick succession.
The short answer: Many experts suggest having protein after a workout to build muscle mass. But preworkout or postworkout protein may help. Strenuous exercise creates microtears in the muscles. After a workout, your body repairs the damage using amino acids from dietary protein.
General recommendations are to consume 15-30 grams of protein at each meal. Studies show that higher intakes in one sitting — more than 40 grams — are no more beneficial than consuming the recommended 15-30 grams at one time. Don't waste your money on more protein than you need.
Within the “golden hour” after exercise, which is described as the 30 to 60 minutes after a workout has ended, your body is most effective at absorbing carbohydrates and protein. This is because muscle stores of glycogen are at their lowest level, and muscle fibers have been depleted.
Whether you're an athlete or just someone serious about strength training, protein is essential. It's not just about muscle size; protein is what fuels muscle protein synthesis, the process your body uses to repair and grow muscle fibers after physical activity.