Pre digested/ whey protein, especially in *large amounts* is virtually useless as such an excessful unnatural amount of protein will result in an amino acid spike for 1-2 hours before amino acid blood levels come crashing back down again and you find yourself with a deficit - similar reaction as with ingesting a *large* amount of simple carbohydrates. The type of protein you are ingesting also results in the formation of temporary labile proteins in the liver that undergo proteolysis (breakdown) in a *short* period of time, rendering them useless for fueling muscle growth.
The formation of contractile proteins (what is necessary for growth) peaks 24-36 hours post-exercise, and as such you should eat slow digesting protein found in natural wholesome foods such as whole eggs, whole milk, fish etc. The fats that you eat alongside said protein also helps to slow down the rate at which the protein digests, further increasing the efficiency of contractile protein synthesis.
As identified above, the "anabolism drive" peaks 24-36 hours post activity, rather than 1-2 hours post-exercise, and as such look towards supporting this drive consistently and over a pro longed period of time, rather than loading up on fast digesting protein that will only be of "use" for the first 1-2 hours.
Many of the old time natural bodybuilders such as Reeves would combine a table spoon of slow digesting protein with coconut milk or butter (your fat/ MCT source used to slow digestion as previously mentioned) immediate post exercise so that the body would enter the anabolism stage strongly.
Avoid microwaved foods also as this method of cooking tends to oxidise the fats/ cholesterol in the "food", rendering it highly atherosclerotic/ "unhealthy", and also denatures the nutrients in the food (not that pre-packaged foods contain much anyway)
- B.A.
