Whey vs. Casein for Muscle Health

Byron's Comments:

More proof of whey as a superior protein to support fitness during aging.

Study Title:

Greater stimulation of myofibrillar protein synthesis with ingestion of whey protein isolate v. micellar casein at rest and after resistance exercise in elderly men.

Study Abstract:

We aimed to determine the effect of consuming pure isolated micellar casein or pure whey protein isolate on rates of myofibrillar protein synthesis (MPS) at rest and after resistance exercise in elderly men. Healthy elderly men (72 (sem 1) years; BMI 26•4 (sem 0•7) kg/m2) were divided into two groups (n 7 each) who received a primed, constant infusion of l-[ring-13C6]phenylalanine to measure MPS at rest and during 4 h of exercise recovery. Participants performed unilateral leg resistance exercise followed by the consumption of isonitrogenous quantities (20 g) of casein or whey. Blood essential amino acids and leucine concentration peaked 60 min post-drink and were greater in amplitude after whey protein ingestion (both, P < 0•05). MPS in the rested leg was 65 % higher (P = 0•002) after ingestion of whey (0•040 (sem 0•003) %/h) when compared with micellar casein (0•024 (sem 0•002) %/h). Similarly, resistance exercise-stimulated rates of MPS were greater (P < 0•001) after whey ingestion (0•059 (sem 0•005) %/h) v. micellar casein (0•035 (sem 0•002) %/h). We conclude that ingestion of isolated whey protein supports greater rates of MPS than micellar casein both at rest and after resistance exercise in healthy elderly men. This result is probably related to a greater hyperaminoacidaemia or leucinaemia with whey ingestion.

Study Information:

Burd NA, Yang Y, Moore DR, Tang JE, Tarnopolsky MA, Phillips SM. Greater stimulation of myofibrillar protein synthesis with ingestion of whey protein isolate v. micellar casein at rest and after resistance exercise in elderly men. British Journal of Nutrition 2012 September 108(6):958-62.
Exercise Metabolism Research Group, Department of Kinesiology, McMaster University, 1280 Main Street West, Hamilton, ON, Canada L8S 4K1.

My cart is empty. View Cart | Login