BSN's Syntha-6 and Cytosport's Muscle Milk are two popular protein powder supplements that offer an array of flavor choices to get your daily protein serving. As a pre-workout, bedtime or meal-replacement protein, either Syntha-6 or Muscle Milk could provide adequate nutrition, depending on the nutrients you're looking for. Muscle Milk does contain 10 grams more protein and twice the fat of Syntha-6 per serving. Always consult with your doctor before using any protein supplement.
Identification
Syntha-6 and Muscle Milk both claim to provide the ingredients needed to gain lean muscle and lose body fat, according to BodyBuilding.com. Proteins provide the amino acids used by the body to repair damaged muscle tissues, according to "Natural Anabolics" by Jerry Brainum. Cytosport's Muscle Milk takes its cue from human mother's milk, one of the most effective growth-promoting sources of nutrition. Its blend of proteins, complex carbohydrates and functional fats are purported to provide the nutrients needed for muscle growth and recovery. BSN's Syntha-6 contains multi-sourced protein to achieve varied rates of digestion for a sustained-release effect. Both products contain fast-digesting whey and slow-digesting casein, the combination of which has been shown to enhance recovery more than either source of protein alone, says Brainum.
Function
Protein powders like Syntha-6 and Muscle Milk are desinged to be convenient sources of dietary protein. Both products deliver complete sources of protein, meaning that they contain all of the essentail aminio acids that the body cannot synthesize. Amino acids are the building blocks of proteins, and they rebuild muscle damaged by intense training, according to "Optimum Anabolics" author Jeff Anderson. However, protein powders can also replace meals or provide a healthy snack between meals, says Mackie Shilstone in "The Fat Burning Bible." Optimal times to take protein supplements include upon waking, with or between meals, before workouts, after workouts and prior to bed.
Syntha-6
Syntha-6 contains 6 g fat, 13 g carbohydrates and 22 g protein per serving. The multi-sourced protein comes from whey concentrate, whey isolate, calcium caseinate, micellar casein, milk protein isolate, egg albumin and glutamine peptides from wheat protein. The carbohydrates come from corn syrup solids and polydextrose, including five grams of dietary fiber and two grams of sugar. The fats include sunflower oil and MCTs (medium-chain triglycerides), which may boost fat burning, according to Muscle & Fitness magazine.
Muscle Milk
Muscle Milk contains 12 g fat, 13 g carbohydrates and 32 g protein per serving. Muscle Milk's protein blend contains calcium and sodium caseinate, milk protein isolate and whey isolates, concentrates and peptides. In addition, this product contains added lactoferrin, glutamine and taurine, which may boost performance and recovery, according to "Supplements 101," by Jim Stoppani, Ph.D. The carbohydrates come from the complex, yet high-glycemic maltodextrin, as well as fructose, which provides most of the 4 g sugar per serving. The fatty acid blend includes canola, sunflower, safflower and MCT oils. Muscle Milk contains zero lactose and offers an added vitamin and mineral blend.
Considerations
Determining which product better fits your nutrition and fitness needs requires analyzing the ingredients. Either product could make an excellent pre-workout protein because they both contain fast-digesting proteins, as recommended by Anderson. The fiber and essential fatty acids slow digestion for a sustained-release effect, allowing the body to use the nutrients throughout the day. However, neither product may make an ideal post-workout strategy because of the slow digestion. "Muscle Explosion" author Nick Nilsson recommends avoiding dietary fibers and high fats immediately following workouts. In addition, neither product contains the minimum 40 to 60 g of high-glycemic carbohydrates required for muscle glycogen replenishment, recommended by Jordana Brown's article "The Carbo Rater."
References
- "Muscle Explosion"; Nick Nilsson; 2009
- "Muscle & Fitness Presents 2010 Edition: The Ultimate Supplement Handbook"; The Carbo Rater; Jordana Brown; January 2010
- "The Fat Burning Bible"; Mackie Shilstone; 2005
- "Muscle & Fitness Presents 2010 Edition: The Ultimate Supplement Handbook"; Jim Stoppani, Ph.D.; January 2010
- "Optimum Anabolics"; Jeff Anderson; 2004
- "Natural Anabolics"; Jerry Brainum; 2006
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