Which Is A Better Protein For Building Muscle: Syntha-6 Or Muscle Milk?

Because protein is a nutrient involved in the growth and repair of tissues and the regulation of hormones, high-protein supplements are purported to aid in strength training and athletics. Two such supplements are BSN's Syntha-6 and CytoSport's Muscle Milk. While these supplements have similar nutritional profiles and ingredients, you may find one is more appropriate for your goals. Consult a doctor prior to using any dietary supplements, as they may have side effects.

Calories

Muscle Milk and Syntha-6 are similar in calories, as Muscle Milk contains 310 per serving, while Syntha-6 provides 200. Muscle Milk may be preferable for post-workout recovery and mass gain, as it provides more calories than you'd burn in an hour-long weightlifting session: 219, according to MayoClinic.com. However, Syntha-6 can be preferable for weight loss, as you would have to burn an extra 770 calories each week if you consumed Muscle Milk daily instead of Syntha-6. This translates into an extra hour and 19 minutes of jogging.

Protein

Muscle Milk contains significantly more protein than Syntha-6, as the former provides 32 g, while the latter contains 22 g. According to nutrition researcher Dr. John Berardi, consuming 2 g of protein per kg of body weight each day may enhance your muscle gains, so a higher-protein product like Muscle Milk would be preferable. However, registered dietitian Katherine Zeratsky explains that too much protein may strain your kidneys and liver; if you have problems with those organs, Syntha-6 may be preferable, but you should consult a doctor prior to use.

Carbohydrates

Neither Muscle Milk nor Syntha-6 are carbohydrate-rich, although Muscle Milk contains slightly more, with 18 g per serving compared with 14 g. Because carbohydrates provide energy for your body, Muscle Milk may be a better protein to use before your workouts. Both supplements contain 5 g of fiber, a nutrient that helps ensure healthy digestion and promotes satiety.

Fat

Muscle Milk is much higher in fat, with 12 g per serving, 6 g of which is saturated. Syntha-6 contains 6 g of total fat, with 2 g of saturated fat. Consuming too much saturated fat may increase your cholesterol levels, so if this is a concern, Syntha-6 would be the better protein; the American Heart Association suggests limiting saturated fat to 16 g or fewer each day to reduce your risk of heart disease.

Vitamins and Minerals

If you are looking for a protein product to serve as a comprehensive meal replacement, Muscle Milk is preferable because it contains 20 vitamins and minerals, while Syntha-6 contains four. The largest doses of nutrients in Syntha-6 are 10 percent of the daily suggested intake of calcium and phosphorous, while Muscle Milk contains 50 percent and 45 percent of the daily suggested intake of these nutrients, respectively.