OldsCOOL

After a winter of heavy weight training I have come to appreciate the protein powder from MuscleTech with whey, amino's and creatine. What I'm hoping for is to effectively break up my typical mid-season plateau. To this point I have not rode the season on protein drink recovery.

I'm feeling especially good after my first hilly 20 yesterday. As usual, this is a rolling experiment.

freedomrider1

Interesting, i was just thinking of adding a little creatine to the mix. Keep us posted.

OldsCOOL

I will, thanx. The weight lifting benefits are well known, this will be my first go with it. I do know that hydration is key. The big test of any disadvantages will be hot, humid longer mileage rides. Energy levels for TT-style rides should be extra exhillerating.

Carbonfiberboy 

I've been using whey protein and 5g creatine in recovery drinks for ~15 years. For sure the protein does something. Not so sure about the creatine, but I think it's a good idea for vegetarians like me. It's cheap enough if you buy it by the kilo. I experimented with trad creatine loading way back when, and found that I cramped more easily on long rides, but no benefit. At 5g, there's no need for an unloading cycle. My blood and urine markers are always normal.

Most folks also put a good bit of carbs in a recovery drink. If you're doing intensity the next day, that's a good idea. However if you're not and you're trying to lose weight, you'll lose it more easily if you just use the protein.

I suppose I should mention that if there is a benefit to the creatine, it will be almost unnoticeable. Lab studies found no benefit for endurance athletes. I use it because I think I'm just a little bit stronger with it.

John_V 

Chocolate milk works great!

OldsCOOL

I've noticed benefits in weight training so maybe something will come through on hills and personal TT's which I do the most of. We'll see what happens.

Prior to this, it was chocolate milk and a banana.

02Giant 

The banana goes in the protein drink!

osco53

I hydrate correctly, I just eat right, I don't buy anything special.
When I need a pick me up on a ride I eat trail mix or a protein bar or a banana or all three.

The secret Is beans,

Mountain biking Is very Intense,, yeah beans

BluesDawg

I thought this thread was about beer.

trackhub

Heh, I was going to say that Sam Adams makes for nice recovery drink. And remember friends, there is no cholesterol in beer.

Looigi

Of course the latest news is that the medical community has come to the conclusion that dietary cholesterol does not contribute to arteriosclerosis and heart issues. So all these years we've been skipping steak, buggers, eggs, etc., we needn't have been. We should sue.

John_V 

Well, not all of us.

OldsCOOL

Indeed.

Dan Burkhart 

I've been carrying on all along like I didn't believe all that in the first place. Have not missed out at all, and my cholesterol numbers are fine.
Of course, any day now, another report will come out refuting the latest findings.

Dave Cutter

My Grandfather (I never met) died (sudden heart attack) while my Dad was still a child. For fifty years, I watched my dad follow the various, studies, beliefs, fads, superstitions..... whatever you want to call them. If I learned anything... it's what everyone really already knows. Eat healthy wholesome meals, drink clean water, and get good sleep. Nothing beats the basics.

Looigi

You should still sue for the emotional distress it caused.

qcpmsame 

I plan to keep skipping these

Bill

ModeratedUser150120149

Interesting. On national news last evening a cardiologist was a guest to tout the latest cholesterol lowering drug. This one works in tandem with statins. He said lower is better until a certain, unknown level. Cholesterol is needed for hormones, brain maintenance, and other reasons, he said. So, according to that piece I guess the heart docs want to eliminate cholesterol but don't want to dry up the brain in the process. So, they want to discover how low they can go.

Any volunteers who have some extra brain for cause?

OldsCOOL

OTandem? As in, here is yet ANOTHER scrip to "save your life"? REALLY?? Oh yay.

ModeratedUser150120149

Yep.

Plus, as far as I can tell from literature the direct relationship between cholesterol levels and heart attacks is not clear. Current protocols seem to be based more on inferential data and thinking when it comes to cholesterol.

I'm not adverse to taking drugs that I need and that have proven themselves to be more beneficial than harmful. But, I value quality of life much more than longevity.

fietsbob

You mean after the Guinness & Green Lager tonight?

OldsCOOL

I have heard there is plenty of evidence to show that sugar is the greater cause of arteriosclerosis.

ModeratedUser150120149

The accumulated wisdom of this group can probably test what I've been told.

But, not only is what you post correct, but sugar is more addictive than cocaine. It is said to attack the same pleasure receptors as cocaine but with more vigor. Seems to me that if the "authorities" were truly concerned about people they would make sugar a controlled substance rather than others. Certainly the diseases that come from obesity, etc. are costly and damaging.

Little Darwin

Actually, based on what I learned in a recent Anatomy and Physiology course, cholesterol is critical to cells in general. As I recall cell membranes contain cholesterol as a fundamental part. That is why the target is <200 instead of zero.

BlazingPedals

That link has only been found for diabetics, not for people with 'normal' (whatever that is) metabolisms.