When do our bodies use muscle protein for energy?
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Question:
Asked by Anonymous - 5 answers - 1 year 42 weeks ago
When do our bodies use muscle protein for energy?
I understand that if we don't eat a carb meal before endurance exercise then our bodies will get energy by burning amino acids from our muscles, but we also use stored fat as fuel. When do we use muscle protein as opposed to stored fat?
I'm 63. I can't afford to lose muscle,so I always eat a light carb meal before I run. My friend says it's not necessary, and that I could train my body to be more efficient if I didn't eat beforehand-even running for 2 or more hours.
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gthomps5
I'd like to see a more authorative answer but here's my understanding. Exercise uses all 3 of carbohydrates, fats and protein. Initially carbs (glycogen), after warmup (20-30 mins) the balance swings to fat burning, when carbs/fats/protein stored are severely depleted you start burning muscle protein. Burning fat is quite efficient, but to burn fat you must have at least a little carbohydrate and protein available. I believe in adding a little soy protein to your sports drink.
jasmin garden
with every meal u must eat some protein too.
1. to protect your hard earned muscle u must eat a protein adn a carb especially after the exercise.
e.g handful of almonds and an apple
trappo
To help maintain muscle mass i would recommend eating 1.2g of protein per kg of body weight after a training session
bpm1978
This is an interesting question and one that I was investigating under a different thread (carbs and fat loss). I'm 52 and have the same goal as harly. I'm pretty sure that you don't want to wait two before and after running though. I run after I lift so I have a protein shake (no carbs or fat) pre-lift and post-lift (but post-run). What I am trying to do is get my body to burn body fat and ingested protein first without burning muscle. I just don’t know if this is working. I’ve been doing this routine for about two months and my body fat contents not lowering.
I've just received some info from poweringmuscles.com
At the end of a long workout we put out cortisol (a stress hormone) which facilitates the "delivery" of amino acids from our muscles into the blood stream ie muscle breakdown. This is preferential to burning fat and carbs (at least at this stage of a long workout when carbs are low.) Therefore, unless you have fuelled beforehand adequately you'll start losing muscle mass. Research also suggests that you should properly refuel immediately after a long or intense workout, so your muscles have a chance to recover.