Protein -- What really is the correct amount?

[Oldman]

Does anybody know how much protein your body can absorb in a day -- especially for lifters -- if it makes a diff. I hear diff stories on this all the time. I have been taking more than the recommended whey for the extra prot. and I think all I have been doing is overloading my carbs.

[ July 24, 2001: Message edited by: Oldman ]

1 1/2 grams/pound of bodyweight is normal. 2-3 grams/pound is high, and hard!

[Riftwood]

When you split the protein over the course of the day, dont take in more than 35-40 g of protein in one sitting. As you know your body can only absorb a certain ammount of protein at any one time. Taking in more than the absorbtion rate and it will just be converted to fat or generally wasted.

[Oldman]

Riftwood. I had heard 40 was the max, what was not clarified was it for the day or at once. I am going to cut back my intake and spread it over 4 - 5 times a day. PhD and Riftwood -- thanks for the clarification. --


A friend just told me that you can absorb 40 every two hours. Tuna seems to be a good source of prot. w/o the carbs.

[ July 24, 2001: Message edited by: Oldman ]

[Anabolic]

The 30-40g of protein absorbtion at any given time is about right. I don't have any "scientific" data on hand to prove this, but the body can only take in so much at once. Anything over 50 is definitely gonna be a waste, and could cause some gastro-intestinal problems .. Anyways, just spread your intake across the day. Try to take in as much protein as you can from "real" food, and save the mixes for post workout and between meals.

[BigWill]

No disrespect intended, but I would really like some scientific evidence for this discussion. I have heard a lot of opinions, especially on the internet, but no one ever offers studies/proof. The people that I listen to the most are those who help BBs prepare for contests. I have no desire to compete, but I listen to someone when they produce "winners." I take in around 500 grams a day at about 80 grams per serving and have noticed a great diff.

[Oldman]

That is a a lot of protein bro -- What kind of protein. And how are you keeping the carbs low.

[MagneticEye]

hey oldman just so you know , very few meats (including tuna have carbs)and dude unless your dorian yates, 500 grams of protein is ludicrous, besides only heavy steroid users need that amount simply because they are mass buidling time bombs (but that is another story)

[Daren]

Ive checked in to how much protein should be taking in daily,for my weight 170lbs I was told at least 133g a day,and that was in a health and fitness test.

[BigNasty]

You'll need alot more a day if your cutting. While cutting most cut carbs way back and not making up for some w/ protein will cause your body to go into a catabolic state and burn muscle as it will save fat as a last resort in this mode. If your maintenance is at 3000 cals then cutting back to like 2000 will make you lose major muscle

[FlatLine]

30-40 grams of protein per sitting is about the norm but there is no set standard for how much a body can handle because everyones body is different. I know BB's who are taking in accesses of 80g a meal as stated by BigWill and 500g's a day is not ludicrous, there are BB's from my other boards that go as high as 800g's a day while on a cycle. Yes they compete. For regular maintinance .75-1g per lb of BW is about all you need. Later

[ October 22, 2001: Message edited by: FlatLine ]

[QuatroIIII]

Most MD's will tell you to only take 30 to 40gms a day, and 1 grm/lb. Md's will tell you that excessive protein consumption will stress your liver and kidneys, creating abnormal function. Now we know that most MD's are not up to date with the every day experience of BBders. So there are always 2 schools of thought a) Medical community and b) the BB community.
I am with flatline, I believe he has described it to us the best. Most people are different and there will be different variations as to what your body can consume. Remember that if you keep your body depleted of carbs below 50grms per day, you will catabolize lean muscle tissue, as well as lower your natural t-3 production; therefore slowing your basal metabolic rate. By lowering your carbohidrate intake you will push your body to break down protein into its individual amino acids during digestion and it being absorbed. During this period of restricted carb intake, brach chain amino acids play a vital role for preventing muscle protein breakdown. You need to increase your normal protein intake to almost DOUBLE!!! when in low carb diets,also additional branch cahin amino acids. And make sure to supplement this diet with aniti catbolic nutrients (HMB, L-glutamine, Creatine). You should also take adequate amounts of vitamins, minerals and antioxidants. Oh...and a potassium supplement. So I guess to get back to your question...It depends on your individual diet, weigh, metabolism, digestive system (believe it or not, and specially your specific nutrition/supplementation and workput program. Damn, I feel as if I said a lot and did not get to give you what you want. But there is the simple Medical answer: (30/40grms per time it takes your body to digest)or the real and more complex one that all body builders try to find in their everyday life.
Good luck
Q

[FlatLine]

Q4- with your book knowledge and my experience, we could rule the World! ( Don't tell Juicy this though, shhhh!)

[Daren]

Hey guys Ive just started on the whey protein at 40gms per serving twice a day plus whatever i take in thoughout the day which is usually some sort of meat!I am wanting to gain muscle mass very bad,I also started a cycle of deca,sustan250,and D-bol and still have not seen really any results so ill try whey protein with my cycle and see how it goes cause i am wanting to get big,but it seems everything I try is a failure! If anyone has any suggestions please let me know!Thanks

[FlatLine]

Daren,
If ur gonna do a cycle and wanting to put on mass, you need to eat 2 grms of protein per pound of your Body weight each day. Example:
180lbs * 2 = 360 grms protein aday. Divide 6 meals aday = 60 grms protein per meal or 7 meals = 51.4 grms per meal. This along with training, rest, and AS = SIZE! Hope this helped! Later