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Friends have told me that I should consume whey protein shake before and after workout. They said this would be effective for building up muscles. However, I have read from a website that I should avoid taking whey protein before workout.

Quoted from the article on the website:

You can have this power drink in the morning, as a snack, in between meals, with meals, before going to sleep, or after a workout, but not before or during a workout.

Is taking whey protein before a workout bad? What is the reason for avoiding to take whey protein before a workout?

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  • Well it depends on your workout goals. What are they?
    – Bee
    Jun 14, 2012 at 1:16
  • @Bee I intend to bulk up my muscle size through lifting weights.
    – xenon
    Jun 14, 2012 at 10:44

2 Answers 2

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If you have an intense workout ahead of you, it is a good idea to ingest whey protein before a workout. Whey protein contains a high amount of branches amino acids which help to preserve muscle supplies of glycogen, meaning you can work out for longer at a higher intensity and also increases muscle synthesis for several hours after the workout has been completed. Therefore, this whey protein can help speed up the recovery process and reduce high levels of muscle soreness. If you want to consume post-workout protein as well, ensure to consume protein with a relatively high amount of carbohydrates to repair muscle damage and tissue breakdown and encourage muscle recovery and healing

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At least part of what you quote (the advice against taking protein during a workout) is opposite from advice given by the NSCA (emphasis mine):

It is also best advised to consume carbohydrate and protein with fluid during exercise and/or immediately post exercise.

This is from Recovery Nutrition for Athletes.

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