Whey Protein Isolate + Casein Protein = A Match Made in Muscle Heaven

When it comes to protein, consumers tend to have their favorite brands and types.  Some prefer to go with a fast-digesting, straight whey protein concentrate which can save some money knowing that the overall quality isn’t the best.  If someone wants a higher-quality protein, they will tend to gravitate towards an evenfaster-digesting whey protein isolate.  While both of those types of protein are fast to be broken down and absorbed, you also have casein protein that is used as a slower-digesting protein.  But what happens when you combine a slow and a fast-digesting protein?  That’s where the magic happens!

The Power of a Whey Protein Isolate and Casein Protein Blend

If your muscles were to have a love story, it would begin the moment that whey protein isolate and casein protein meet.  Then if they decided to have a little fun, it could bring a new baby into the world.  In this case, the baby would be an increase in anabolism and muscle growth.  The story’s starting to get good, right?

As mentioned in the opening paragraph of this article, there are many different forms of protein available (even more than discussed above).  You have protein powders that vary depending on the rate at which they are broken down as well as the overall quality of the protein itself.  Both whey protein isolate, as well as casein, are high-quality sources of protein and it’s for that reason combining them can be extremely advantageous for muscle gains.

Whey protein isolate is a protein source that is almost immediately broken down and absorbed by the body and shuttled out to the muscles to start the recovery process.  Casein protein (or more specifically micellular casein protein) is on the opposite side of the spectrum and is a slow-digesting protein that can take upwards of six hours to be completely broken down and absorbed.

So, why would the combination of a whey protein isolate and casein protein be an effective blend?  It’s actually quite simple when you think about it.  In order to stay anabolic, you need to constantly have a source of amino acids in the system.  When digested, protein breaks down into useable amino acids.  While using such a blend is great post-workout, it also has its benefits for between meals and even at night (before bed).  Again, your body will get an instant supply of protein and amino acids and then a steady stream following that for several hours.  Between meals, this can help keep you full and satiated until your next meal, whereas at night it helps keep you anabolic while you sleep (generally a time where you’re going to be fasting).

Following a workout, you probably utilize a whey protein concentrate or a whey protein isolate due to the speed of digestion, correct?  That same reason stays in place for a blend as you want that instant uptake of nutrients from the protein powder following a workout.  You might be asking, “Where exactly does casein protein come into play then?”  That answer also makes a lot of sense when you understand the purpose of casein itself.

Being that you already have a supply of amino acids going into the muscles from the whey protein isolate, by adding a casein protein, you expand your anabolic window for several hours following simply by combining whey protein with a slow-digesting casein protein.  Now, your body and muscles can have a steady supply of amino acids for around six hours after drinking your protein shake.  This can be beneficial to those whose goal is to add quality lean mass to their frame.  But you don’t need to just take my word for it.

What’s the Research Say?

Below you will find some of the studies that looked at a blended protein source that includes whey protein and casein.  As you will find, the results from such a blend are extremely promising and it’s for that reason I highly recommend you utilize a blended protein powder to achieve your desired goals.

The Mayo Clinic conducted a study that looked at muscle growth when a whey protein and casein protein were blended together.  What they found was that the blended protein was able to add more quality muscle mass.  Their belief was that the change in digestion rates and absorption allowed the muscles to better utilize the nutrients.

Another study, this time done by Baylor University, took a group of men and had them follow a training program for a total of 10 weeks.  Following their workouts, they were to utilize a protein shake consisting of whey protein and casein protein.  What they found was that the group who utilized the blended protein gained on average four pounds of lean muscle mass.

Additionally, when it comes to overall protein synthesis, when you utilize a blended protein such as the one I have been speaking of, you have the ability to maintain an elevated protein synthesis level for several hours which showed to be more beneficial than someone who strictly used just a whey protein by itself – according to a study completed by the University of Texas Medical Branch.

As you can see from the research, the numbers don’t lie and neither do the results.  It’s for that reason we wanted to come out with a protein powder proven to be effective at adding the quality mass you demand.  We’d like to introduce you to Apollon Nutrition 50/50 Formula-X Protein.

This protein was specifically formulated and designed with your lean mass goals in mind.  Not only can 50/50 Formula-X help add size, improve recovery, and reduce DOMS, but the formula is also 100% transparent so you know exactly what you’re putting in your body and it contains no fillers.  Our 50/50 formula has 24g of total protein, consisting of 50% whey protein isolate and 50% micellar casein protein.  Oh, and the taste you might ask?  There’s no splitting percentages – it’s 100% on point!