The traditional bodybuilding diet requires athletes to consume large amounts of protein over a long period of time. However, when large amounts of protein are consumed over an extended period of time, the body adjusts how it metabolizes protein, thereby increasing daily protein requirements. At the same time, the body will also increase the content of protein-destroying enzymes and detoxifying enzymes to avoid the toxic effects of protein metabolism toxins. As a result, the body will process some of the protein as waste rather than using it to build muscle size.
Protein cycle intake method is to gradually reduce protein intake until it is only 40-50 grams per day and maintain it for 10 days. After that, it was immediately increased to 2.2 to 3 grams of protein per kilogram of body weight per day and maintained for 10 days. Then repeat the above process.
After adopting this method, by scheduling a period of time to reduce protein intake, you can eat less protein and grow more muscle.
During periods of low protein intake, certain mechanisms in the body protect muscle proteins and divert liver proteins. Swedish scientists found that muscle protein has a longer life span than liver protein, so it is liver protein that begins to be lost rather than muscle protein, thus achieving the purpose of protecting muscles.
On the second day of the low protein intake period, protein synthesis in the body will decrease and continue to decrease thereafter. But this reduction will become less obvious after 3 days. That is, the low-protein diet stimulated the inhibitory mechanism of catabolism after 3 days. This is because if the body is oversupplied with protein over a long period of time, it will downregulate protein stores and expect excess protein. Another adaptive change is initiated at the same time, including reduced protein absorption and increased protein excretion. If the opposite were true, the body would use protein more efficiently.
The latest research also found that the production of growth hormone in the body can be increased 10 times during the period of protein reduction, and this higher growth hormone level can be maintained until returning to a high-protein diet.
Another positive impact of protein recycling technology is that it can reduce the pressure on the kidneys and liver from a high-protein diet, and can save a lot of dietary expenses.
When using this method, please note:
1. During this period, the quality of protein is very important. If possible, it is best to take 1 scoop of whey protein every day, because it is composed of the best amino acids and can minimize the risk of a single amino acid deficiency, which is enough to hinder protein synthesis.
2. During this period, it is best to consume protein immediately after training to minimize muscle loss.
3. Vitamin B intake should be avoided during periods of low protein intake. Research shows that B vitamins use protein as energy, which can lead to muscle mass shrinkage.
4. During this period, carbohydrate intake should be appropriately increased to prevent weight loss.