The Effects of Whey Supplementation and Natural Diet on

Protein Synthesis and Muscle Hypertrophy

Dylan Dimke
Mallory Ventrella
Sarah Wilcox
May 2014
Introduction

Protein is commonly known

among athletes as the nutrient
responsible for muscle tissue
growth and repairs after their
muscles have been broken down
by exercise. Countless research
studies have been conducted that
attempt to explore exactly what
affects different types and
sources of protein have on the
rate of growth of muscles. www.gainmusclesize.net/protein-supplements/
Protein supplementation in the
United States alone is a $25 What is Protein?
billion a year industry, fueled by
the average American’s desire Proteins are groups of molecules called amino acids
to build muscle and recover bound together by peptide bonds; each protein molecule
faster than they could naturally. contains an amino group (NH2), an acid group (COOH),
But do these supplements really and a unique side chain.
cause greater increases in
muscle mass in a shorter amount
of time than natural sources of
protein from diet alone? This
chapter examines multiple
sources of protein from natural
foods and compares their effects
on the rate and magnitude of
muscle tissue anabolism to that
of supplemental protein sources.
www.biology.unm.edu
There are two main classes of amino acids: essential,
meaning they must be obtained from the diet, and
nonessential, amino acids that can be formed naturally in the body. In all, there are twenty amino
acids that proteins can be assembled from, nine essential and eleven nonessential. Below is a
table listing all twenty amino acids and is organized by essential-nonessential status.
Table 1.1 Amino Acids: The Building Blocks of Life Protein Synthesis, the
Essential Amino Acids Non-Essential Amino Acids process in which proteins are
assembled from individual
Histidine Alanine amino acids, occurs in the
ribosomes of cells
Isoleucine Arginine throughout the body; it is this
process that most protein
Leucine Asparagine supplements target in an
attempt to raise the rate at
Lysine Aspartic Acid
which proteins are created
Methionine Cysteine after a workout. Synthesis is
triggered by several different
Phenylalanine Glutamic Acid stimuli, such as exercise,
stress, and injury. If proteins
Threonine Glutamine are not created to help aid the
recovery of broken down
Tryptophan Glycine muscles, little to no growth
will occur; it is for this
Valine Proline
reason that nutrition plays a
Serine crucial role in the
development of muscle
Tyrosine tissue.

Common Sources of Quality Protein

Pure Protein Sources
Table 1.2 (6) Comparing size of pure protein sources to amount in grams
Food Serving Size Calories Protein (g)

Whey Protein One Scoop 100 24

Egg Whites 6 102 24

Turkey Breast 3 oz 90 20

Tuna 4 oz 120 26

Ground Turkey 3 oz 110 24

Chicken Breast 3 oz 90 18
The percentage of protein to calories is high, making these sources the most ‘pure protein’
sources
 Quality Protein Sources
Table 1.3 (6) Comparing size of quality protein sources to amount in grams
Food Serving Size Calories Protein (g)

Salmon 2 oz 100 14

Eggs 1 75 6

Sardines 2 oz 120 11

Peanuts 1 oz 90 4

Sunflower Seeds 1 oz 140 6

Almonds 1 oz 170 6
Great sources for people looking for high protein foods with healthy fat. These protein choices
offer healthy sources of Omega 3’s and Omega 6’s. The Omega 3’s in foods aid your body in
storing carbohydrates as muscle glycogen, which is beneficial for fueling muscles.

Great Muscle Building Foods

· Omega-3 Eggs
o Cholesterol found in the yolks of eggs serves as the scaffolding for steroid
hormones which provides your muscles with power and energy
· Nuts
o Nuts provide a blend of protein, fats, and fiber. Helpful for weight lifters who are
wanting to increase their caloric intake to add muscle weight

Different Types of Protein

www.thegreenforks.com

We receive all necessary amino

acids from animal protein
 Fruits, vegetables, grains, nuts and
seeds, lack one or more essential
amino acids

www.harmongrocery.com
What is the Ultimate Muscle Building Protein Found in Food?
Many looking to build muscle have one question in common: what is the most beneficial
source of protein out there to gain muscle? Although there are many different types of protein
available, eggs seem to lead the way. It is known that without protein, your muscles will not
grow, and those looking to build muscle need to take their protein intake very seriously. Eggs
contain about 6 grams of high quality protein and their protein levels are so high that they are
now used as the standard by which other foods are measured. Eggs are also rich in other areas,
including vitamins A, E and K, riboflavin, folic acid, and a range of B vitamins, including B12.
Eggs also contain all nine essential amino acids needed for optimal muscle recovery and
building beneficial minerals like calcium, zinc, and iron (2).
Many have the assumption that eggs aren’t all that great, that they contain high levels of
cholesterol and contain a lot of fat. Although many believe this to be true, eggs are not all that
scary. The white part of the egg actually contains zero fat and the yolk contains about 5 grams of
fat, but only a small portion of this fat is saturated (about 1.6 grams). Those looking to gain
muscle do in fact need fat to bulk up as well as to provide energy while doing so. Eggs are also
easily digested and absorbed, so eating eggs will not get in the way of getting a good workout in (2).

Example:
6 Egg Whites and 2 Yolks in the Morning Will Provide the Body With:
· 26.5g of protein
· 0 Carbohydrates
· 5.23g fat (2.7g unsaturated fat)
· 153 calories

How much protein should I be getting?

Proteins are digested in the stomach with the aid of several pancreatic enzymes, such as
protease and trypsin, which break the long protein strains into their constituent amino acids.
These singular amino acids are then absorbed in the small intestine and shipped to ribosomes
throughout the body, where they will be used to construct new proteins when necessary.
The Food and Drug Administration recommends that the average adult receives 0.8
grams of protein per kilogram of their body weight on a daily basis. This means that for an adult
who weighs 175 pounds, they should be getting 64 grams of quality protein per day in order to
maintain healthy body function.
 Protein and Exercise
Protein Needs for Athletes
Nutrition plays an important role in the promotion of training adaptations. According to
The Institute of Medicine, 10-35% of daily calories for an average adult should come from
protein, so active adults should be between 25-35%. The amount of protein that an athlete needs
depends on a few factors: athletic status of the individual, their weight, intensity of exercise, and
the nature of their sport or activity. The FDA suggests that elite endurance athletes consume 1.2-
1.4 g/kg body weight daily to ensure proper muscle rebuilding and structural maintenance of
tissues. Weight lifters and bodybuilders require an even higher amount of protein; the FDA
recommends that they receive 1.7 g/kg body weight. A study done by Moore and colleagues
suggest that the largest amounts of muscle protein synthesis occurs when ingestion of 20 grams
of high biological value protein (8–10 g essential amino acids) is ingested no more than 5–6
times daily. Timing of consumption also seems to affect protein synthesis; athletes are also
encouraged to eat rapidly-digested protein meals in close proximity to their exercise training,
especially during and after exercise (1).

Whey Protein: Good for Building Muscle?

It is common knowledge that whey protein is an easy way to add protein into the diet;
just one scoop mixed with whatever you please for a quick pre/post workout meal. But is whey
protein just an easy way out of the lifestyle required for someone looking to build muscle, or are
there actually long term benefits to this popular supplement?
Many people are unaware of what whey protein actually consists of. Have you ever
opened a yogurt container and there is a clear liquid built up on the top? That is whey protein.
Whey protein is also found in cow milk. Whey is extracted
and isolated, and is then filtered to remove all of the fat and
carbohydrates. The more it is filtered, the purer the protein
becomes. Whey protein is undoubtedly the king of protein
supplements. There is an enormous body of research
suggesting that whey protein effectively stimulates muscle
protein synthesis-the process that ultimately produces
bigger and stronger muscles, and is in first place compared
to its competition, soy or casein supplements (3).
In 1997, researchers in France published a study
about whey protein’s ability to stimulate protein synthesis;
they found that participants’ protein synthesis increased by
almost 70% while consuming a whey protein drink. This
study also tested another form of protein supplement,
Casein. The participants drinking the casein protein drink had only a www.doyoueven.com
30% increase in protein synthesis, showing that whey protein is much
more effective. Also, whey protein is shown to boost blood flow to muscle tissue, which is the
secret to its protein-synthesis power. Increased blood flow enhances the delivery of nutrients,
including glucose for energy, amino acids, and oxygen. These nutrients support muscle growth
and spur recovery after a workout (3).
 Whole Foods vs Whey Protein
Nutrition, when followed correctly, has the ability to greatly enhance the adaptations that
exercise induces in the body, and protein is an important part of that. Protein supplement use is
reportedly higher in athletes than sedentary individuals, with particularly high use seen in
weightlifters and bodybuilders. Liquid meal supplements that are high in protein boost total
energy and specific nutrient intake at a time when one’s appetite is often suppressed (1). But do
these supplements, specifically whey, lead to greater protein synthesis and ultimately more rapid
muscle growth?

A Deeper Look at Whey Protein

Society today is constantly on the go, leaving little room to fully cook and prepare
healthy meals for themselves. Our culture often looks for a quick fix, which is one reason why
whey protein has caught the attention of those looking to build up muscle in a short period of
time; a very appealing aspect of protein supplements is the convenience that they offer. A whey
protein shake takes almost no effort and very little time out of a busy and hectic day; one scoop
of this supplement added to a beverage of your choice and you have yourself a drink loaded with
protein in seconds. Now the question to ask yourself is are these supplements really what your
body needs for optimal muscle growth or should you be getting our protein elsewhere?
These supplements contain complete proteins with all the essential amino acids that you
need for good health (4). Although they do contain many beneficial ingredients, they also lack a
few important nutrients your body craves. Whey protein, an isolated protein product, lacks other
nutrients that naturally accompany proteins found in meat, fish, dairy products or whole grains
(4). For example, yogurt contains good sources of calcium, salmon provides healthy sources of
fat, and lean beef offers iron, which is extremely important for athletes and weight lifters. Protein
supplements do not include any of those aspects that natural, whole foods offer, all of which are
needed for those looking to gain muscle.

Also, the U.S. Food and Drug

Administration does not regulate
any protein supplements that are
on the market; therefore the
supplement labels may not be the
most accurate description of what
you are actually putting into your
body and failing to reveal
impurities in the product.
www.nurtabio.com/products /whey-protein-isolate.htm

Whole Foods
Looking at whole foods for quality protein intake, it is important to look at the entire
nutritional value of that food. Certain foods contain nutrients that are necessary for not only
muscle recovery but more importantly for the body to function properly. If your body does not
get the nutrients needed, then it won’t matter how much protein you get; you will not build
quality muscle (5). One of the many benefits from getting protein from whole foods is that they
contain both carbohydrates and healthy fats that your protein powder will not provide. While
trying to build muscle, it is necessary that you are feeding your body with enough carbohydrates
to fuel your body with the energy needed to get to the gym. Carbohydrates are also beneficial in
building muscle, so eating an adequate amount after a workout is important.
Along with protein supplements, complete proteins found in whole foods can also contain
all the amino acids your body cannot produce on its own, which is desired for many weight
lifters. In addition to whole foods, they offer many minerals, vitamins, carbohydrates, and
healthy sources of fat that are unavailable in any protein supplement on the market. Another
benefit to eating whole foods is educating oneself about the importance of living an overall
healthy life. Supplements are short-term answers to those looking to build muscle. It is simply
unrealistic to rely on whey protein to keep your body healthy and strong for the rest of your life,
whereas whole foods can and will get you to where you want to be in the long run.

Conclusion
Protein is an essential part of the diet, and necessary in the process of protein synthesis in
the human body. For those who are trying to build a large amount of muscle mass through
weight lifting, protein consumption can be a key concern. There are several ways to get protein,
and each has its own benefit.
Whey protein is convenient, tastes good, and delivers a large amount of protein in a small
form. Both whey protein and whole foods are good sources of protein that deliver high amounts
of all the necessary amino acids. A natural diet, however, offers a wide range of food options,
contributing a variety of flavors, nutrients, and phytochemicals to the diet. These food options
are more cost effective than whey protein and can be found in any market or grocery store,
instead of a specialty health store. More research should be done on the subject of whey protein
and its benefits before it should be ruled out as a lesser form of protein. The authors do not
discourage the use of whey supplements, as they appear to be a safe way to increase protein
intake. They do however, recommend that the vast majority of all calories, protein included,
come from a healthy, balanced diet of lean meats, fruits, vegetables, and whole grain
carbohydrates and believe that following these guidelines will provide optimal conditions to
promote protein synthesis and build muscle in an efficient manner.

www.fitsugar.com/best-sources-protein-23614206
 References
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Slater, Gary, and Stuart M. Phillips. "Nutrition Guidelines for Strength Sports: Sprinting,
Weightlifting, Throwing Events, and Bodybuilding." Journal of Sports Sciences (2011):
67-77. 22 Mar. 2011. Web. 1 June 2014.
2.
Diedrichs, Scott. "Lifting on Eggshells." Bodybuilding.com. N.p., 08 July 2003. Web. 05 June
2014.
3.
Stoppani, Jim. "Whey to Transform: Your Expert Guide To The Premier Muscle-Building
Protein." Bodybuilding.com -. N.p., 12 Aug. 2011. Web. 05 June 2014.
4.
Annigan, Jan. "Protein Supplement vs. Food." LIVESTRONG.COM. LIVESTRONG.COM, 09
Aug. 2011. Web. 05 June 2014.
5.
Stallworth, Jason. "Protein Powders vs Whole Foods." TheMuscleProgramcom. N.p., 2013.
Web. 05 June 2014.
6.
Corleone, Jill. "Protein Content of Common Foods." LIVESTRONG.COM.
LIVESTRONG.COM, 30 May 2010. Web. 06 June 2014.