How Much Protein Do You Need After a Work Out?

How Much Protein

The American College of Sports Medicine recommends that people who engage in endurance or strength training ingest 0.5 to 0.75 of protein per pound of body weight per day. As part of that amount, a study published in the "American Journal of Clinical Nutrition" found ingesting 20 grams of intact protein after resistance or endurance training is sufficient to maximize muscle repair and growth. The study further found that when you consume more than the recommended 20 grams post-workout, the body uses the excess protein for energy and excretes the surplus amino acids in your urine.

What Type of Protein

Whey protein, a natural byproduct of the cheese-making process, is often the preferred protein used post-exercise. Whey digests quicker than other proteins, including slow-digesting casein, which allows it to shuttle amino acids faster to the working muscles. Whey protein is available in powder forms and as part of nutrition shakes and bars. Some supplements include a combination of whey and casein protein to ensure that muscles receive both immediate and slower, ongoing amino acids. Vegetarians and those who are lactose intolerant can supplement with soy or soy protein powder; however, this has been shown to be less effective than supplementing with milk-based proteins, according to the "Journal of Sports Science and Medicine."

Protein to Carbohydrate Ratio

After a hard workout, your body also needs fluids, electrolytes, energy, and carbohydrates to replace muscle glycogen. The American College of Sports Medicine recommends a carbohydrate intake of approximately 0.5 to 0.7 grams per pound of body weight during the first 30 minutes post exercise and again every two hours for the next four to six hours to replace glycogen stores. A study in the "Journal of Sports Science and Medicine" recommends a 3-to-1 ratio of carbohydrates to protein post-exercise.

When to Take Protein

Fitness experts suggest taking your protein within an hour of finishing your workout. While a study published in the Journal of Applied Physiology in 2000 suggested that there is no difference in benefits between digesting protein one and three hours after training, more recent studies have challenged this finding. Studies in the "American Journal of Physiology – Endocrinology and Metabolism" indicated that supplementing with protein immediately after your workout provides a better anabolic or muscle-building response than if you digest the protein two or three hours after your workout.