What is the maximum amount of protein the body could break down?

Question

After workingout it is reccommended to take a solid dose of protien afterwards. So if you take around 26 grams of protein it all gets used up, my question is if you take 52 grams of protein does it all get used up for pure muscle growth or does a percentage of it turn in to waste after the body has already used up some for the muscle??

Answer 1

with out getting to scientific the body will digest any amount of protein that is in the GIT. how much of that protein is utilized depends on many factors such as the amount of lean body mass (LBM) that the individual has, the rate of muscle protein turnover, body composition (how much body fat) and the goals of the individual. I will give you an example:

#1 - 200 lb man with 20% body fat, office worker, doesn't follow a healthy diet or perform any type of exercise.

#2 - 200 lb man with 10% body fat, construction worker, eats 6x a day and trains at least 5x a week with weights and cardio and wants to gain 20 lbs of muscle.

ok...so based on the shear difference in body composition 2 needs a higher protein intake than 1. since 2 works out his body has a higher muscle protein turnover, his muscles are actually getting used and are being broken down regularly, thus they require more protein. 2 is also trying to increase the amount of LBM that he has so not only does he need to supply his body with enough to maintain his body needs an excess to help build new (well bigger and thicker) muscle cells. since 2 is an athlete his body will be running an a higher level of efficiency so it will be able to utilize more dietary proteins.

for the most part I tell people that they need to experiment with how much protein they need an each meal. I usually stick with around 50-60 grams of protein per meal and about 20-30 grams in my post workout shake (im 6'0 240 @ 10%). I have friends the same height but weight 40 lbs more with less body fat (yes they are on anabolics) and some of them eat about 75 grams of protein per meal.

Answer 2

There is a limit to the amount of protein your muscles will absorb within a certain amount of time, even if you've just worked out. For exactly how much they absorb, you may need to search some websites for general numbers.

The muscles absorb protein the fastest (absorbs the most) for the 30 minutes just after training. The rate is increased from normal for the 24 - 36 hours after training.

Answer 3

It will go to waste. Your body only takes what it needs and no more. too much supplements will make your body confused and stop producing good stuff because the supplements provide the stuff. Take only the necessary amount of protein. Too much protein may give you major pimple problem.