Are you prioritizing your protein post workout session?

Get stronger by changing HOW you train and WHAT you eat as well as WHEN!

For menopausal women looking to support muscle protein synthesis and overall recovery after a workout, it’s essential to provide the body with adequate protein intake.

Protein is crucial for repairing and building muscle tissue. Here are some protein sources that can be beneficial for menopausal women post-workout:

Lean Meats: Lean meats like chicken, turkey, and lean cuts of beef or pork are excellent sources of high-quality protein. They are also relatively low in fat, making them suitable choices.
Fatty Fish: Fatty fish such as salmon, trout, and mackerel not only provide protein but also healthy omega-3 fatty acids, which have anti-inflammatory properties and can support muscle recovery.
Plant-Based Proteins:
- Legumes: Foods like beans, lentils, and chickpeas are rich in protein and fiber. They can be included in salads, soups, or stews.
- Tofu and Tempeh: These soy-based products are excellent sources of plant-based protein. They can be incorporated into various dishes, including stir-fries and sandwiches.
- Quinoa: Quinoa is a grain that is a complete protein, meaning it contains all essential amino acids. It’s a versatile option for salads, bowls, or as a side dish.
Dairy or Dairy Alternatives: Low-fat dairy products like Greek yogurt and cottage cheese are rich in protein and can be consumed as part of a post-workout meal or snack. For those who prefer dairy alternatives, options like almond milk, soy milk, or oat milk fortified with protein can be considered.
Eggs: Eggs are a protein powerhouse, and the protein in eggs is highly bioavailable. They can be enjoyed boiled, scrambled, or as omelets.
Nuts and Seeds: While not as protein-dense as some other sources, nuts (e.g., almonds, peanuts) and seeds (e.g., chia seeds, pumpkin seeds) can provide additional protein and healthy fats to a post-workout meal or snack.
Protein Supplements: If getting enough protein from whole foods is challenging, protein supplements like whey protein or plant-based protein powders can be convenient options. They can be mixed into smoothies or consumed with water or milk.
Hydration: Don’t forget to hydrate after a workout. Water is essential for overall recovery and optimal muscle function.
Balanced Meals: Aim for balanced post-workout meals that include not only protein but also carbohydrates and healthy fats. Carbohydrates help replenish glycogen stores, and healthy fats support overall health.
Timing: It’s generally recommended to consume protein within a few hours after your workout to support muscle protein synthesis effectively. However, the overall daily protein intake is more critical than the exact timing of post-workout protein consumption.

Individual protein needs can vary based on factors like age, activity level, and body composition goals. It’s a good idea for menopausal women, like anyone else, to consult with a healthcare provider or a registered dietitian to determine their specific protein requirements and create a personalized nutrition plan.

How do you make collagen peptides a complete protein?

Collagen peptides, in their natural form, are not considered a complete protein because they lack one or more of the essential amino acids needed by the body. A complete protein contains all nine essential amino acids in sufficient quantities. Collagen protein is particularly low in two essential amino acids: tryptophan and methionine.

To make collagen peptides a complete protein, you would need to combine them with other protein sources that complement their amino acid profile.

Here’s how you can achieve this:

Combine Collagen with a Complementary Protein Source: Pair collagen peptides with another protein source that is rich in the essential amino acids missing in collagen. Some options include:
- Whey Protein: Whey protein is rich in essential amino acids, including those that are deficient in collagen. Mixing collagen peptides with whey protein can create a complete amino acid profile.
- Egg Whites: Egg whites are another protein source that contains a good balance of essential amino acids. Combining collagen with egg white protein can help fill in the amino acid gaps.
- Plant-Based Proteins: Some plant-based proteins like pea protein, rice protein, and hemp protein can be complementary to collagen. However, you may need to combine multiple plant-based sources to ensure a complete amino acid profile.
Dietary Diversity: Consuming a well-rounded diet that includes a variety of protein sources can help ensure you’re getting all the essential amino acids your body needs. Collagen supplements can be part of this overall dietary strategy but should not be the sole source of protein.
Supplementation: If you’re using collagen peptides primarily for their other benefits, such as joint health or skin health, and you are concerned about the amino acid profile, you can consider taking essential amino acid supplements separately to ensure you meet your daily amino acid requirements.

Keep in mind that collagen peptides are primarily valued for their unique benefits, such as supporting skin, hair, nails, and joint health, rather than serving as a primary source of protein for muscle building. If your goal is to increase protein intake for muscle growth, it’s generally more effective to rely on complete protein sources like animal products, dairy, and plant-based protein blends that already contain all essential amino acids.

Does collagen protein intake count towards total protein intake for muscle protein synthesis?

Collagen protein intake does provide some amino acids, but it is not considered a complete protein source and may not be as effective for muscle protein synthesis as other sources of protein. Collagen is primarily rich in the amino acids glycine, proline, and hydroxyproline, but it lacks certain essential amino acids, particularly tryptophan and methionine, which are crucial for muscle protein synthesis.

To promote muscle protein synthesis effectively, you typically want to include complete protein sources in your diet. Complete proteins contain all nine essential amino acids in sufficient quantities. Common examples of complete protein sources include:

Animal Products: Meat, poultry, fish, eggs, and dairy products are excellent sources of complete proteins.
Plant-Based Combinations: While most plant-based sources are incomplete on their own, you can create complete proteins by combining different plant foods. For example, rice and beans or peanut butter on whole wheat bread can complement each other to provide a full range of essential amino acids.

While collagen protein may not be ideal for muscle protein synthesis on its own due to its amino acid profile, it can still have other benefits. Collagen is known for supporting skin, hair, nails, and joint health. Therefore, you can include collagen protein as part of your overall diet, but it’s advisable to combine it with complete protein sources to ensure you’re meeting your essential amino acid needs for muscle growth and repair. If your primary goal is muscle protein synthesis, you should rely on more complete sources of protein.

Why do we (or not) need exogenous carbohydrates to maximize fatty acid uptake by the mitochondria (aka fat burning during exercise) for women over men?

Exogenous carbohydrates, in the form of glucose or glycogen, play a crucial role in maximizing fatty acid uptake and fat burning during exercise, especially in aerobic activities like endurance running or cycling. This concept is often referred to as the “carbohydrate-fat interaction” or the “glycogen sparing effect.”

Here’s why exogenous carbohydrates are needed:

Energy Substrate Hierarchy: During exercise, your body relies on a hierarchy of energy substrates to meet the energy demands. Carbohydrates (in the form of glucose or glycogen) are the most readily available and efficient source of energy. As exercise intensity increases, the body’s reliance on carbohydrates becomes more pronounced.
Glycogen Availability: When you start exercising, your body primarily uses glycogen stores (the stored form of glucose) as a fuel source. These glycogen stores are found in the muscles and liver. As glycogen is broken down into glucose, it can be used immediately for energy.
Role of Insulin: Carbohydrate ingestion triggers the release of insulin, a hormone that facilitates glucose uptake by cells, including muscle cells. Insulin helps transport glucose into muscle cells more efficiently during exercise, ensuring a readily available energy source.
Glycogen Sparing: When carbohydrates are available, your body tends to “spare” its glycogen stores. In other words, it uses the exogenous carbohydrates you consume (e.g., sports drinks or gels) rather than depleting its internal glycogen stores. This preservation of glycogen is important for maintaining exercise intensity and endurance.
Fat Burning: As long as there is an adequate supply of carbohydrates, your body tends to prioritize burning them for energy because they can be converted into ATP (the body’s primary energy currency) more rapidly than fatty acids. This leaves fatty acids available for other important functions, such as maintaining cell structure and function.
Exercise Intensity: The relationship between carbohydrate and fat metabolism during exercise is influenced by exercise intensity. At lower intensities, the body relies more on fatty acids for fuel, but as intensity increases, the reliance on carbohydrates grows.

In summary, exogenous carbohydrates are needed during exercise, particularly at moderate to high intensities, to spare glycogen stores and maximize performance. While the body can utilize both carbohydrates and fatty acids for energy, carbohydrates are the preferred and more efficient fuel source, especially when they are available. This allows fatty acids to be conserved for essential functions and prolonged endurance during exercise. However, it’s essential to balance carbohydrate intake with individual needs and exercise goals, as excessive carbohydrate consumption can lead to gastrointestinal issues or hinder fat adaptation for endurance athletes.

Ingesting carbohydrates before exercise can help increase fat metabolism in female athletes through several mechanisms, primarily by optimizing energy availability and sparing glycogen stores.

Here’s how this process works:

Blood Glucose and Insulin Levels: Consuming carbohydrates before exercise raises blood glucose levels, leading to an increase in insulin secretion. Insulin helps shuttle glucose into muscle cells, where it can be used for energy. While this initially promotes glucose utilization, it also has an indirect effect on fat metabolism.
Glycogen Sparing: When carbohydrates are available in the bloodstream, the body tends to spare its glycogen stores. Glycogen is stored glucose in the muscles and liver and serves as an essential energy source during exercise. By sparing glycogen, the body can conserve these stores for later stages of exercise or for high-intensity efforts.
Reduction in Carbohydrate Oxidation: Elevated insulin levels resulting from carbohydrate ingestion reduce the oxidation (burning) of carbohydrates for energy. This reduction in carbohydrate oxidation encourages the body to rely more on fatty acids for fuel, as carbohydrates are being preserved for higher-intensity efforts or later in the exercise session.
Improved Endurance: By providing a continuous supply of energy from ingested carbohydrates, athletes can maintain exercise intensity for longer durations. This sustained effort at moderate intensity allows the body to utilize a higher percentage of fat for energy compared to high-intensity efforts that primarily rely on carbohydrates.
Preventing Hypoglycemia: In some cases, particularly during prolonged exercise, low blood glucose levels (hypoglycemia) can occur. This can lead to fatigue, dizziness, and a decrease in performance. Ingesting carbohydrates before exercise helps prevent hypoglycemia by maintaining blood glucose levels within an optimal range.
Enhanced Lipolysis: The presence of carbohydrates in the bloodstream can stimulate the release of hormones like epinephrine, which can increase the breakdown of stored fat (lipolysis). This means that the body releases more fatty acids from fat stores, making them available for energy production.

It’s important to note that the effectiveness of carbohydrate ingestion before exercise in increasing fat metabolism may vary among individuals and depend on factors such as the type and amount of carbohydrates consumed, exercise intensity and duration, and an individual’s metabolic response. Additionally, the benefits of carbohydrate ingestion may be more pronounced in longer-duration endurance activities compared to shorter, high-intensity workouts.

For female athletes, the timing and amount of carbohydrate ingestion should be personalized based on individual goals, exercise duration, and preferences. Consulting with a sports nutritionist or dietitian can help female athletes create a tailored nutrition plan that optimizes fat metabolism while supporting overall performance and energy needs.