Training for a marathon, working towards beach season or trying to maintain a physique requires equal parts exercise and nutrition.
For most, a strong emphasis is placed on the athletic component; focusing primarily on building a strong workout routine. Often, the nutritional aspect is underappreciated or completely ignored. For optimal results, a strong workout needs to be complimented with a proper nutrient intake.
When it comes to building muscle, Protein is king. Protein is responsible for rebuilding muscle tissue, providing fuel for endurance and reducing muscle recovery time. Protein’s importance is such commonplace, most of us couldn’t explain what a Protein is or why it’s so important. So, we thought we’d take a bite out of this subject – bon appétit.
Protein
Proteins are large organic molecules made up of thousands of different Amino Acids. Essentially, Proteins are long chains of Amino Acids, twisted and folded together into complex shapes. There are millions of different Proteins in existence. Because our bodies require certain Proteins for various reasons, when we ingest a Protein (from chicken, eggs, fish, etc.), our bodies break down the Protein into its individual parts, Amino Acids. From there, our DNA directs the construction of brand-new Proteins specific to the areas of need.
Amino Acids
Amino Acids have begun their rise into stardom in recent years as more research has turned to studying their unique affects. Considered the building blocks of life, Amino Acids are foundational to Proteins shape and benefits. Currently, there are 20 Amino Acids, divided into three distinct categories – Essential, Non-Essential and Conditional. Let the name not confused you; Non-Essential Amino Acids ARE vitally important, only they can be synthesized by the human body. Essential Amino Acids, on the other hand, can only be found in the foods we eat.
Workout
So, when it comes to building or toning muscle, why is it that Protein is so important? First, let’s examine what happens to our bodies during a workout. During the first 10 seconds of an exercise, our body turns on its Phosphagen system, converting fuel stores in our skeletal muscles to rapidly provide energy for muscle contraction. Unfortunately, this fuel source does not last long and our bodies are forced into glycolysis. At this point, our body begins converting blood sugar into fuels. While this process provides only small amounts of energy, it’s fast, but results in several byproducts. After 2 minutes of glycolysis, we transition into the third and final phase, aerobic metabolism. In this phase, oxygen, byproducts of glycolysis and fat stores are converted into large amounts of fuel. The only drawback is the process is much lengthier than the first two. At this point, even muscle is broken down into individual Amino Acids to provide energy, causing obvious muscle damage.
Muscle Repair
The intense muscle contractions of a workout cause the fibers in our muscles to tear and break apart. These tears, along with lactic acid buildup from glycolysis and muscle decomposition during aerobic metabolism, are the main causes of muscle fatigue and soreness. Torn muscle fibers are where Proteins do their best work. During recovery, our body identifies the torn muscle fibers and sends in a recovery team of Proteins to rebuild, repair and improve the strength of our muscles. Because Proteins are broken down when ingested, we start with Amino Acids in muscle repair. Our DNA lays out a set of instructions on what Amino Acids go where and how. With these instructions, a repair team rebuilds the Amino Acids into useful Proteins that are then directed at the torn muscle fibers.
Start and End with Amino Intake
Unlike fat, Amino Acids are not stored in the body. Thus, only certain amounts of Amino Acids are available for muscle repair and recovery. Depending on the intensity of your workout, your body may not have the right materials it needs to build or protect the muscle you want. Like any workout, adequate preparation and proper recovery can make all the difference in performance. Like your personal trainer, we have exactly what you need. The Olympic Drip is packed with 3 Essential and 3 Non-Essential Amino Acids known for their powerful effects on endurance, muscle strength, recovery and energy. Combined with a complex of B Vitamins, the Olympic Drip increases cellular function, improves energy, boosts nerve function, reduces post-workout soreness, improves muscle growth and elevates endurance. In preparation for training, the extra dose of Amino Acids provides additional energy and protects muscles from early decomposition. After training is complete, this healthy helping of Amino Acids provides the necessary nutrients for muscle growth and repair. All combined into a 1,000mL of pure hydration to maintain adequate electrolyte balance.
A system built for the champion.
