Somewhere along the road of physical fitness, advocates stumble upon the question of whether they should take supplements and which ones are best. Muscle Milk is a protein powder that boasts vitamins, minerals, a few different types of protein and a handful of enzymes, according to the manufacturer. The supplement is often used to ensure the user has enough protein to support his muscles. This product, if taken in excess, can make you fat.
Ingredients
According to its label, Muscle Milk Cytosport contains a multitude of vitamins, along with the minerals chromium, copper, zinc, iodine, magnesium, calcium and more. There are 348 calories in a 72-gram serving that contains 32 grams of protein that come from two or three sources.
Effects
Supplements like Muscle Milk are designed to help you get enough protein to support the health of your muscles. Digested protein forms the building blocks of muscle tissue. The chromium listed on the label should help your body absorb and use sugar more efficiently and vitamins are designed to ensure a healthy nutritional mix. However, regardless of the nutritional value of a product, consuming an overabundance of calories will make you fat. Adding 900 calories to your diet by following the three-times-a-day recommendation on the back of the bottle can quickly lead to pounds.
Significance
Reaching the American College of Sports Medicine's recommended 0.8 grams of protein per kilogram of body weight is fairly easy. However, the recommendation for endurance athletes of 1.4 to 1.7 g protein per kilogram of body weight can be a bit more difficult and may require a protein supplement. Many trainers follow the 45-minute window of opportunity promoted by Jenna Bell-Wilson, a Ph.D. in exercise science. She explains that there is a 45-minute window of opportunity after strength training in which people should be consuming protein.
Considerations
Taking Muscle Milk in the morning, following a workout and before bed can help you achieve great health benefits. However, you will get fat if you continuously drink large amounts of Muscle Milk without following an active lifestyle.
Prevention/Solution
Using an online basal metabolic calculator can help you determine how many calories you need to stay the weight you are right now. If you are not lifting heavy weights, stick to the ACSM's recommended 0.8 grams per kg rule. If you are an endurance or strength athlete who exercises vigorously five to seven days a week, increase your protein supplementation to as high as 1.7 grams per kg. Stay within your calorie range by counting calories, and stay away from drinking three shakes a day.
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