Supplements: All Are Not Created Equal, Ask Questions

Did you know that your body doesn't use all of the Protein you take in? The amount of protein your body utilizes is referred to as Net Nitrogen Utilization (NNU). The amount not used by the body is referred to as Nitrogen Waste (NW). Every protein source has an "Amino Acid Profile" which has a percentage of Net Nitrogen Utilization and a percentage of Nitrogen Waste. The point is that it is not relevant how many grams of protein you are getting from your protein sources, but how much of that protein will you body actually use? This is also known as body protein synthesis (BPS). Let's look at the numbers: When you eat a 45 gram serving of Chicken Breast, the NNU is only 17%. Your body will only be able to use 7.65 Grams. When you take in 17 grams of most Whey Protein,supplements, the NNU is ONLY 12%. Your body will only be able to use 2.04 Grams. Next time you buy protein foods or supplements, the question you should be asking is - "What is the Net Nitrogen utilization of this protein?"

If you are buying denatured protein sources, the net nitrogen utilization will be around the above mentioned numbers. If you purchase un-denatured, the percentages are a bit higher due to the branch chain amino acids being left intact. However, the protein I choose goes a step further in that it is un-denatured and has added digestive enzymes to breakdown the branch chain amino acids into short chain amino acids so that the body can readily absorb the vast majority of the protein. The protein supplements I choose have a 91% NNU and only 9% NW. These supplements also have other superior elements as well, but this is the most important because products with high NW and low NNU causes stress and increase burden on your kidneys and liver not to mention that the NW that these organs do not get rid of gets turned into glucose, thus fat which defeats the purpose of taking these supplements. Our goal is lean muscle mass growth and improved metabolism, not more fat storage. Not all whey and supplements are created equal so the next time you go to purchase protein supplements or branch chain amino acid supplements...ask what NNU and NW value they have, then decide.