How to Stop Catabolism With Casein Protein – The Slow Digesting Protein

Catabolism is the body’s attempt to reduce muscle mass by converting protein into energy. Usually, the body enters a catabolic state after heavy workout sessions or weight training and this lasts for hours. The activity is mainly caused by the hormone, cortisol.

Ideally, the body should burn calories and convert fat, not muscle mass, into energy. Thus, catabolism prevents the formation of muscles but also hinders the optimum burning of fats. In other words, it can lead to the exact opposite of the results you were hoping to achieve through your workout. This is why stopping catabolism has become a running challenge for many bodybuilders and for those who work out regularly.

Many experts suggest that consuming more protein-rich foods or beverages after working out can help stop catabolism, but some studies have revealed that there are specific types of protein that are more effective in preventing catabolism.

Casein protein, also called the slow-digesting protein, is the specific form of protein that’s most abundant in milk. It is especially rich in glutamine, an amino acid that helps preserve muscle mass. Studies show that casein protein can suppress the body’s catabolism by 34%.

So if you want to stop catabolism, consume protein after your workouts and make sure that your protein-rich beverage or food specifically contains casein protein. This is sometimes listed as casein monohydrate or casein calcium.

Casein protein is often compared with whey protein. Whey protein is a type of protein that builds muscles faster and more effectively. However, it does not have the ability to stop catabolism like casein monohydrate does.

Not only does casein protein stop catabolism almost instantly after you consume it but it will continue to do so for hours. As stated before it is a slow digesting protein and this is because it expands in your stomach giving your muscles a slow and steady stream of catabolism fighting protein. This comes in handy in many situations most notably between meals and before bed.

Taking casein protein before bed will keep your muscles anabolic the entire night. Asking your body to go 7 or more hours of sleep is basically begging it to go catabolic and the only way to fight this is consuming casein. Doing so will keep your body feeding off your food and fat stores all night along with using that protein to rebuild your muscles. Considering your body is naturally in the best muscle building state when it is sleeping why ruin this by starving your system?

Finally, using casein protein between meals or as a meal replacement itself can be a great idea. The fact that it expands in your stomach doesn’t just give your muscles a slow trickle of amino acids but it makes you feel full for longer. Because of this you will be less likely to binge eat, helping you stick to a healthy diet.