Protein Pills?

Mike Hedman

Hi,

I do a lot of back-to-back running days, and I've read studies that protein intake during workouts helps the next day's work.  So for years I've added protein to my Infinit blend.  But then there are the problems with that: foaming and burping  being the biggies.  I got to thinking that it might be better if I ate protein in a pill form instead.  Then I could just get one standard Infinit formula (I currently get a tub of "with protein" and a tub of "without" each time), and then eat the capsules during runs where I want.

I started thinking about making my own, and there's a capsule maker available for $20, then I just need to buy the powder and make em.  But then I found these premade pills: LPP Concentrated Predigested Protein 1000 mg Dietary Supplement Tablets.  These are pretty "clean" in that they have effectively zero fat or carbs, and they purport to be easy to digest - and I'm thinking that's a good thing for during long runs. 

Has anyone else tried this?  Have you ever made your own capsules?  

Thanks,

Mike

Coach Patrick

Wow, very cool. I am assuming that "during workout" protein trumps post/pre workout protein? Given you'd have another 20 hours to eat all the protein you'd want in any shape or form that would seem way more enjoyable. Keep us posted!

Steve West

Interesting. I'm an Infinit noob - just got my first bag last week. The thing I noticed on my Wednesday 10 mile tempo was the foaming - bad foaming.... I was wondering if there was some way to not foam. Didnt realize the protien is the cause.

So if I get Infinit without protien it doesnt foam at all? Even Gatorade is somewhat foamy running - not too bad but some just the same.

GMAN 19030

The foaming with Infinit has to do with the fact there are no preservatives in it to counteract the protein foaming.  Please remember that protein is harder to digest so be aware of that and experiment as necessary.  You don't want to create a gut bomb on your IM or HIM day.

 

A couple of tips:

 

1. Have a little bit of water already in your bottle when you scoop in the Infinit to have it start settling.  Mix in more water.  Stir it with a spoon.  Do not shake it.  Shaking makes it foamy.  Stirring does not.  Think the opposite of James Bond: "Stirred.  Not shaken."

 

2. Mix it the night before and keep it in the fridge.  No foam.

CharlieH

Try different protein. Some affects everyone gut in different ways - it might be you need natural egg protein rather than whey. I use protein powder in oatmeal in the mornings and then have a shake before bed. I find it it's eaten with something it's easier on the gut, and before bed - hey, you're asleep so you don't notice anything. I have yet to try Inifinit's protein. I take other brand recovery drinks with protein in with only initial bloating but never tried during a workout. Shakes are fine with me as well, usually better with milk. My other half however takes the same brand and it does all sorts to his gut! It's worth seeing what brands do sachets of different drinks to try.

jwpicciotto

The predigested protein is probably a good choice is you want to minimize gastric distress from the protein. One thing, if the protein works for you then give it a try. However, the research on the efficacy of protein during workouts has been a bust so far. Most of the peer review studies coming back have not been able to make the link. One other thing on the protein supplement, you should make sure that the manufacturer has been certified so that you know what you are getting. The best bet is to go with pharma grade materials that are sold to the medical field. One of the issues in any set of suppliments has been cross contamination. The facilities that the supplements are made in often also deal in banned substances and this leads to positive doping tests for athletes. Most of us don't have to worry about failing a drug test, but I prefer to know what I am putting in my body.

Also, Penny is on her way back from the SCAN conference and she said that the IOC is releasing a new guidelines on optimum protein consumption.

Steve West

@ Bob - thanks for the heads up on mixing. The thing is, it foamed up from running with it in my holster while I was running. It was bad enough that I couldnt drink the last 3 or 4 ounces - nothing but froth.

GMAN 19030

Posted By Steve West on 13 Mar 2011 04:45 PM

@ Bob - thanks for the heads up on mixing. The thing is, it foamed up from running with it in my holster while I was running. It was bad enough that I couldnt drink the last 3 or 4 ounces - nothing but froth.

I didn't see that part when I first read your reply.

Stop shaking so much when you run! 

Not sure what you can do about that.  It's going to shake a lot.  You could try a zero protein run mix and see how that works.  Should be a little easier on the stomach too.

Steve West

@ Bob - Doesn't making you butt giggle and shake make you go faster??? =:-o

Mike Hedman

@ Steve - a few anti-foaming techniques... :

• as has been stated, always mix the night before.
• you should always turn the bottle completely upsidedown before drinking - let the foam float away from your mouth before drinking.
• squeeze the bottle with your hand, rather than suck it - sucking causes a lot of air to get mixed in, creating more foam.
• Then, before unsqueezing the bottle, turn it rightside up again.  The idea here is to not pull in air through the fluid.
• So the motion is: bottom of the bottle all the way up, squeeze/drink, bottom of the bottle down, release the squeeze to re-fill the bottle with air.
• Carrying the bottle in your hand will reduce the foam vs. having it in a hip holster.
• Adding water mid-run will make the second half of the bottle more drinkable (foam dissolves in the water, I presume).
• If you do get a mouthful of foam, I sometimes just let it sit in my mouth for a bit.  It seems like many of the tiny bubbles pop (I'd rather it de-gas in my mouth than in my tummy.

@John - I hear you about the studies (unless you read the ones funded by the Accelerade and Hammer folks).  But these studies are almost always investigating performance during the session in which the drink is ingested.  I get that, and I've switched to an all carb mix for race day.  But my interest is not in today's workout, but rather tomorrows.  So what I'm thinking is that having free protein floating around in me can ease the muscle loss/impact today, so that tomorrow I can do it all again.  And yes, for each long workout, I also have a carb+protein recovery drink pre-made, so when I get done I can be hitting it as I'm stretching/driving.

Do I have studies to back this up?  Other than one Accelerade one, I don't think I do.

Thanks for the feedback and info, folks.  I'll order up some pharma-type pills, and try them out.  My lowest level of protein in my Infinit blend is 6g - so that would be 6X1000mg (horse pills!) an hour - not sure that's a workable solution given that most of my big workouts are in the 3-4 hour range out on the trails.

Mike

penlynwilson

Returning to Mike's question:

I'm still . . . um. . .digesting all the information from the Sports Nutrition conference I was at over the weekend, but here are some of my take-homes re: protein:
1) you want 20 grams per eating opportunity. This has been shown to be the amount that promotes the greatest amount of lean mass building
2) still controversy over protein during exercise along with carbs, it may help
3) whey is hands-down the BEST protein for promoting lean mass building; don't know why - but it beats everything else. Whey is a "fast" protein which means your body absorbs and uses it quickly. Casein (which is what those pills are made out of) is absorbed more slowly.

I'm not sure that protein during = a better workout the next day. I'd love to see the studies if you don't mind posting links. From what I've seen the key is still getting enough carbs and protein before, during, and after.

Mike Hedman

@Penny, I think this is the study I have seen referenced:
Carbohydrate-protein beverage improves muscle damage and function versus isocarbohydrate and isocaloric carbohydrate-only beverages. St. Laurent TJ, Todd MK, Saunders MJ, Valentine, RJ, and Flohr JA. Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise. 38(5):S340, 2006.

Mike

Coach Patrick

Total aside,but on a new diet that has me at about 20g protein almost every 3 hours...very interesting results given my training. 5lbs off so far in two weeks and no bingeing.

penlynwilson

Posted By Patrick McCrann on 17 Mar 2011 08:22 AM

Total aside,but on a new diet that has me at about 20g protein almost every 3 hours...very interesting results given my training. 5lbs off so far in two weeks and no bingeing.

Some of the research at SCAN (sports nutrition conference) said to do 20 g of protein at every feeding to promote satiety and lean mass growth. . . . 

Nemo Brauch

20g of protein per feeding? oh my that sounds like a lot to this mostly veg eater. Can someone quantify what 20g's of protein looks like?

smtalbott

A good rule of thumb with protein sources (chix breast, hamburger, fish filet, eggs, etc) is that a serving that is about the size of the palm of your hand will provide about 20-30g of protein (that is a 3-4 oz chicken breast for example).
For veggies, it gets a little tougher because some of your main sources of protein are also going to come along with a lot of carb and fiber (beans, dairy if you're lacto) - but most nuts and nut butters as well as tofu would still fit the "palm" format.