The best shake for muscle recovery should include whey protein powder.
Image Credit: Lecic/iStock/GettyImages Whey protein supplements have increased in popularity during the past few years. Originally an unwanted byproduct of cheese processing, this dietary aid can now be found on the shelves of any grocery store. Athletes typically use whey protein to gain muscle mass, but new research suggests that it might help you with muscle soreness recovery as well.
Advertisement
Read more: Is Whey Protein Good or Bad?
Video of the Day
Tip Using whey protein to alleviate sore muscles works best when combined with omega-3 fatty acids, amino acids or antioxidants.
Get to Know Whey Protein
Curdling dairy products to make cheese leaves a liquid remainder known as whey. This liquid contains several proteins, including beta-lactoglobulin, alpha-lactalbumin and serum albumin. Typically sold as a powder, dried whey has a bitter taste. So manufacturers add artificial flavors like chocolate and vanilla as masking agents.
Advertisement
Read more: Breakdown of Whey Protein Amino Acids
Learn About Whey Quality
A 2016 report in the Journal of Proteomics questions the purity of commercially available whey powder. The authors found impurities in many whey protein samples. Given these findings, make sure you buy your whey protein from a reputable source. Purchasing organic whey powder gives you another way to avoid impurities.
Advertisement
Read more: What Are the Dangers of Protein Powder Consumption?
Understand Muscle Soreness
Trainers call exercise-related pain delayed-onset muscle soreness, or DOMS. Lifting weights or playing sports often triggers the symptoms of DOMS. While not inevitable, muscle soreness is very difficult to prevent. Many treatments exist, but few of these remedies are effective and safe.
Advertisement
Scientists have an equally difficult time pinning down the mechanisms of DOMS. Many people think exercise physically damages muscles and that this change causes DOMS. But this explanation doesn't hold up, because the symptoms of DOMS can show up without this damage.
Another common theory is that increases in creatine kinase underlie DOMS. Exercise reliably increases both creatine kinase and muscle soreness, and people often assume that one causes the other. Yet a 2015 report in the Journal of Musculoskeletal Research failed to find a correlation between the two alleged measures of muscle damage.
Advertisement
Advertisement
Read more: Dangerous Post-Workout Soreness
Use Protein for Sore Muscles
Not understanding the mechanisms of DOMS doesn’t mean you can’t try to treat it. Manufacturers offer you protein as a panacea. Such a claim is greatly exaggerated, but whey protein does have potential as a treatment for DOMS. A 2018 paper in Applied Physiology, Nutrition, and Metabolism explored its efficacy in younger women.
Advertisement
The researchers used repeated sprints to trigger symptoms of DOMS. After the sprints, the participants received a drink featuring either whey protein or carbohydrates. They ingested this isocaloric drink twice a day for four days. Compared to the carbohydrate version, the whey protein drink increased the subjects' flexibility and strength. It also decreased levels of creatine kinase.
Read more: What Are the Benefits of a Protein Shake?
Advertisement
Go Bigger With Native Whey
People often argue about which type of whey is best. For example, there’s a huge battle between supporters of whey protein isolate and whey protein hydrolysate. Each variant has nutritional value, and neither appears superior. However, one type of whey processing does seem to have an advantage. Making whey protein from milk using the microfiltration permeate process keeps it more natural. This native whey has greater nutritional value, and it’s better suited for the needs of athletes. It should, therefore, have a better effect on DOMS. The authors of a 2018 article in Frontiers in Physiology tested this hypothesis in younger men.
Advertisement
The research team used electrical stimulation and plyometric exercise to trigger DOMS. They assigned subjects to one of three supplement conditions: standard whey, native whey or placebo. Participants took the supplement five days a week for 12 weeks. Results indicated that subjects given native whey recovered more rapidly and showed more adaptations.
Advertisement
Read more: Whey Protein vs. Whey Isolate
Don't Worry About the Timing
Another longstanding debate concerns when to ingest your whey protein. Some believe you should have it immediately after working out. Others have suggested that there’s a 24-hour window. More recent work has indicated that taking it right before you go to bed is your best bet. Yet a 2018 review in Nutrients failed to find an advantage of any particular time. A 2018 report in the Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition reached a similar conclusion. These researchers showed that casein protein had robust effects on muscle strength and muscle mass, irrespective of time of day. Their data support the idea that you should focus on your protein intake across each 24-hour period. Read more: When to Drink Protein Shakes for Muscles?
Use the Right Dose
The last debate about whey protein concerns the dose. Health care professionals once suggested that simply getting the Recommended Dietary Allowance, RDA, of protein is enough to keep you healthy. However, they eventually changed this recommendation. For example, a 2018 report from Harvard Health Publishing suggests that doubling the dose can help you keep your muscle strength. Larger amounts seem important for muscle recovery, as well. A 2014 article in Physiological Reports shows that larger amounts will keep the amino acid content of your muscles high. The authors speculated that this elevation should help you recover after an intense workout Read more: What Happens if You Have Too Much Protein Intake?
Understand the Mechanisms
Whey increases the levels of amino acids circulating in your bloodstream. Having greater availability of amino acids increases your protein synthesis and decreases your protein breakdown. These changes increase your net protein balance.
Advertisement
The cheese byproduct also increases satellite cell production. These building blocks of skeletal muscle cells play an important role in gaining muscle mass. When activated by exercise, they repair and rejuvenate muscle tissue. This process gives you bigger, stronger muscles.
Read more: Protein Synthesis in Muscle Growth
Combine Remedies for Stronger Effects
Knowing how whey works lets you combine it with other supplements that rely on different mechanisms. Combining treatments can potentially have additive or even synergistic effects similar to those shown when compounding pharmaceutical preparations. You may fail to reach this potential for many reasons, though, including treatment interference and allergic reactions. At the least, combining treatments should produce more reliable effects. Read more: Can You Take More Than One Kind or Allergy Medication?
Add Antioxidant Supplements
Your white blood cells release reactive oxygen species during exercise. These free radicals have a damaging effect on your body. They change the biochemicals used for cellular communication and your body’s natural fats. They can even alter your genes. Dietitians urge you to eat vegetables and fruits because the antioxidants in these foods scavenge free radicals. Thus, antioxidants work through a different mechanism than whey. Combining whey protein with fruits and vegetables should, therefore, have a bigger impact on symptoms of DOMS. A 2017 report in the Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition looked at this effect in younger men. The researchers used a single bout of knee-extension exercises to induce DOMS. The subjects received either carbohydrates, protein, or protein and an antioxidant supplement after doing the resistance exercises. The data showed that people in the combined treatment group had the least amount of muscle soreness. The authors believe that the antioxidant and the protein acted synergistically.
Advertisement
Read more: What Are Some Examples of Antioxidants?
Add Tart Cherry Juice
Tart cherry juice is another antioxidant with therapeutic potential. This juice offers you many health benefits, including inflammation reduction and sleep promotion. These positive qualities suggest it might help with muscle recovery. A 2017 report in the Journal of Functional Foods tested this idea in healthy women and men. This research team used explosive exercises to cause muscle soreness. They combined tart cherry juice and whey protein into an easily consumed drink. Subjects drank either the juice or a placebo twice a day for 10 days. The exercise happened on the sixth day. Results indicated that the juice increased the participants’ antioxidant status. That is, their bodies were better able to scavenge free radicals after drinking the tart cherry juice and whey protein combination. The combination also decreased muscle soreness 48 hours after the exercise challenge. Read more: 5 Promising Health Benefits of Tart Cherry Juice
Add Carbohydrates and HMB
The amino acid metabolite β-hydroxy-β-methylbutyrate (HMB) is gaining popularity with athletes to promote muscle mass and prevent muscle damage. These findings suggest that HMB can help fight the symptoms of DOMS. A 2015 report in the Journal of the American College of Nutrition explored this possibility in healthy men. These scientists used resistance exercises like weightlifting to produce DOMS. All men participated in both conditions: 1) carbohydrate, whey and HMB, or 2) just whey. The men took either supplement twice a day for two weeks before the exercise challenge and for two days after it. Results indicated that the combined treatment outperformed the whey protein alone. For example, men given the combined treatment had lower levels of creatine kinase and muscle soreness. They also had greater explosive power. Read more: Benefits & Side Effects of HMB
Add Fish Oil
Doctors are increasingly recommending omega 3 fatty acids to patients for their heart health. Taking fish oil capsules gives you an easy way to get more docosahexaenoic acid — one of the most important omega-3s. This chemical also helps mitigate post-exercise soreness. The health benefits of fish oil suggest that it could enhance the effects of whey protein. A study described in the 2017 volume of the International Journal of Sport Nutrition and Exercise Metabolism tested this hypothesis in male soccer players. These researchers used leg-extension exercises to induce DOMS. They assigned the players to one of three supplement conditions: 1) fish oil, whey protein and leucine; 2) whey protein and leucine; or 3) placebo. Supplementation occurred daily for six weeks. The data showed that players given fish oil had lower levels of muscle soreness and creatine kinase than those in the other two groups. Read more: Pros & Cons of Fish Oil Supplements
Be Careful With Dietary Aids
All treatments can cause side effects, and combining remedies increases your risk. So it’s important to meet with a health care expert before changing your diet. A doctor can help you find the right treatment to use in your situation. She might also catch an undiagnosed medical condition that better explains your soreness. Everyone has a unique physiology and will respond differently to large doses of protein. A high-protein diet can cause harm in some populations, and a nutritional supplement can damage your kidneys. Speaking with a dietitian and using these products in moderation will help keep you safe as you use protein for sore muscles.
Advertisement
Advertisement
references
International Journal on Food System Dynamics: Governance and Growth — A Case Study of Norwegian Whey Protein Concentrate Exports
Journal of Food Science: Supplemental Protein in Support of Muscle Mass and Health
Croatian Journal of Food Science and Technology: Production of Whey Protein as Nutritional Valuable Foods
Journal of Proteomics: Proteomics in Quality Control
Journal of Physiological Sciences: Delayed Onset Muscle Soreness
Journal of Musculoskeletal Research: Comparison Between Bench Press and Leg Press for Changes in Serum Creatine Kinase Activity and Muscle Soreness
Applied Physiology, Nutrition, and Metabolism: Whey Protein Hydrolysate Supplementation Accelerates Recovery From Exercise-Induced Muscle Damage in Females
International Dairy Journal: Improvement of the Functional Properties of Whey Protein Hydrolysate by Conjugation With Maltodextrin
Membrane Processing for Dairy Ingredient Separation: Microfiltration for Casein and Serum Protein Separation
Frontiers in Physiology: Moderate Supplementation of Native Whey Protein Promotes Better Muscle Training and Recovery Adaptations Than Standard Whey Protein
Nutrients: Pre-Sleep Protein Ingestion to Improve the Skeletal Muscle Adaptive Response to Exercise Training
Nutrients: Effect of Whey Protein Supplementation on the Temporal Recovery of Muscle Function Following Resistance Training
Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition: Daytime and Nighttime Casein Supplements Similarly Increase Muscle Size and Strength in Response to Resistance Training Earlier in the Day
Harvard Health Publishing: How Much Protein Do You Need Every Day?
Physiological Reports: Dose‐Dependent Increases in P70s6k Phosphorylation and Intramuscular Branched‐Chain Amino Acids in Older Men Following Resistance Exercise and Protein Intake
FASEB Journal: Whey Protein Supplementation Enhances Whole Body Protein Metabolism and Recovery of Performance After Resistance Exercise
Physiological Reports: Postexercise Essential Amino Acid Supplementation Amplifies Skeletal Muscle Satellite Cell Proliferation in Older Men 24 Hours Postexercise
Pharmacology Research and Perspectives: Analysis of Drug Combinations
Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition: Effects of a Combined Protein and Antioxidant Supplement on Recovery of Muscle Function and Soreness Following Eccentric Exercise
Journal of Functional Foods: Effects of Tart Cherry Juice With Whey Protein on the Signs and Symptoms of Exercise-Induced Muscle Damage Following Plyometric Exercise
Journal of Exercise Physiology: Effects of 12-Weeks of Supplementation With β-Hydroxy-β-Methylbutrate-Ca (HMB-Ca) on Athletic Performance
Journal of the American College of Nutrition: Addition of Beta-Hydroxy-Beta-Methylbutyrate and Isomaltulose to Whey Protein Improves Recovery From Highly Demanding Resistance Exercise
Journal of Sports Science and Medicine: Effects of Short-Term Docosahexaenoic Acid Supplementation on Markers of Inflammation After Eccentric Strength Exercise in Women
International Journal of Sport Nutrition and Exercise Metabolism: Adding Fish Oil to Whey Protein, Leucine and Carbohydrate Over a 6 Week Supplementation Period Attenuates Muscle Soreness Following Eccentric Exercise in Competitive Soccer Players
Advances in Nutrition: Controversies Surrounding High-Protein Diet Intake
references
International Journal on Food System Dynamics: Governance and Growth — A Case Study of Norwegian Whey Protein Concentrate Exports
Journal of Food Science: Supplemental Protein in Support of Muscle Mass and Health
Croatian Journal of Food Science and Technology: Production of Whey Protein as Nutritional Valuable Foods
Journal of Proteomics: Proteomics in Quality Control
Journal of Physiological Sciences: Delayed Onset Muscle Soreness
Journal of Musculoskeletal Research: Comparison Between Bench Press and Leg Press for Changes in Serum Creatine Kinase Activity and Muscle Soreness
Applied Physiology, Nutrition, and Metabolism: Whey Protein Hydrolysate Supplementation Accelerates Recovery From Exercise-Induced Muscle Damage in Females
International Dairy Journal: Improvement of the Functional Properties of Whey Protein Hydrolysate by Conjugation With Maltodextrin
Membrane Processing for Dairy Ingredient Separation: Microfiltration for Casein and Serum Protein Separation
Frontiers in Physiology: Moderate Supplementation of Native Whey Protein Promotes Better Muscle Training and Recovery Adaptations Than Standard Whey Protein
Nutrients: Pre-Sleep Protein Ingestion to Improve the Skeletal Muscle Adaptive Response to Exercise Training
Nutrients: Effect of Whey Protein Supplementation on the Temporal Recovery of Muscle Function Following Resistance Training
Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition: Daytime and Nighttime Casein Supplements Similarly Increase Muscle Size and Strength in Response to Resistance Training Earlier in the Day
Harvard Health Publishing: How Much Protein Do You Need Every Day?
Physiological Reports: Dose‐Dependent Increases in P70s6k Phosphorylation and Intramuscular Branched‐Chain Amino Acids in Older Men Following Resistance Exercise and Protein Intake
FASEB Journal: Whey Protein Supplementation Enhances Whole Body Protein Metabolism and Recovery of Performance After Resistance Exercise
Physiological Reports: Postexercise Essential Amino Acid Supplementation Amplifies Skeletal Muscle Satellite Cell Proliferation in Older Men 24 Hours Postexercise
Pharmacology Research and Perspectives: Analysis of Drug Combinations
Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition: Effects of a Combined Protein and Antioxidant Supplement on Recovery of Muscle Function and Soreness Following Eccentric Exercise
Journal of Functional Foods: Effects of Tart Cherry Juice With Whey Protein on the Signs and Symptoms of Exercise-Induced Muscle Damage Following Plyometric Exercise
Journal of Exercise Physiology: Effects of 12-Weeks of Supplementation With β-Hydroxy-β-Methylbutrate-Ca (HMB-Ca) on Athletic Performance
Journal of the American College of Nutrition: Addition of Beta-Hydroxy-Beta-Methylbutyrate and Isomaltulose to Whey Protein Improves Recovery From Highly Demanding Resistance Exercise
Journal of Sports Science and Medicine: Effects of Short-Term Docosahexaenoic Acid Supplementation on Markers of Inflammation After Eccentric Strength Exercise in Women
International Journal of Sport Nutrition and Exercise Metabolism: Adding Fish Oil to Whey Protein, Leucine and Carbohydrate Over a 6 Week Supplementation Period Attenuates Muscle Soreness Following Eccentric Exercise in Competitive Soccer Players
Advances in Nutrition: Controversies Surrounding High-Protein Diet Intake
The best shake for muscle recovery should include whey protein powder.
Image Credit: Lecic/iStock/GettyImages
Image Credit: Lecic/iStock/GettyImages
Using whey protein to alleviate sore muscles works best when combined with omega-3 fatty acids, amino acids or antioxidants.
International Journal on Food System Dynamics: Governance and Growth — A Case Study of Norwegian Whey Protein Concentrate Exports
Journal of Food Science: Supplemental Protein in Support of Muscle Mass and Health
Croatian Journal of Food Science and Technology: Production of Whey Protein as Nutritional Valuable Foods
Journal of Proteomics: Proteomics in Quality Control
Journal of Physiological Sciences: Delayed Onset Muscle Soreness
Journal of Musculoskeletal Research: Comparison Between Bench Press and Leg Press for Changes in Serum Creatine Kinase Activity and Muscle Soreness
Applied Physiology, Nutrition, and Metabolism: Whey Protein Hydrolysate Supplementation Accelerates Recovery From Exercise-Induced Muscle Damage in Females
International Dairy Journal: Improvement of the Functional Properties of Whey Protein Hydrolysate by Conjugation With Maltodextrin
Membrane Processing for Dairy Ingredient Separation: Microfiltration for Casein and Serum Protein Separation
Frontiers in Physiology: Moderate Supplementation of Native Whey Protein Promotes Better Muscle Training and Recovery Adaptations Than Standard Whey Protein
Nutrients: Pre-Sleep Protein Ingestion to Improve the Skeletal Muscle Adaptive Response to Exercise Training
Nutrients: Effect of Whey Protein Supplementation on the Temporal Recovery of Muscle Function Following Resistance Training
Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition: Daytime and Nighttime Casein Supplements Similarly Increase Muscle Size and Strength in Response to Resistance Training Earlier in the Day
Harvard Health Publishing: How Much Protein Do You Need Every Day?
Physiological Reports: Dose‐Dependent Increases in P70s6k Phosphorylation and Intramuscular Branched‐Chain Amino Acids in Older Men Following Resistance Exercise and Protein Intake
FASEB Journal: Whey Protein Supplementation Enhances Whole Body Protein Metabolism and Recovery of Performance After Resistance Exercise
Physiological Reports: Postexercise Essential Amino Acid Supplementation Amplifies Skeletal Muscle Satellite Cell Proliferation in Older Men 24 Hours Postexercise
Pharmacology Research and Perspectives: Analysis of Drug Combinations
Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition: Effects of a Combined Protein and Antioxidant Supplement on Recovery of Muscle Function and Soreness Following Eccentric Exercise
Journal of Functional Foods: Effects of Tart Cherry Juice With Whey Protein on the Signs and Symptoms of Exercise-Induced Muscle Damage Following Plyometric Exercise
Journal of Exercise Physiology: Effects of 12-Weeks of Supplementation With β-Hydroxy-β-Methylbutrate-Ca (HMB-Ca) on Athletic Performance
Journal of the American College of Nutrition: Addition of Beta-Hydroxy-Beta-Methylbutyrate and Isomaltulose to Whey Protein Improves Recovery From Highly Demanding Resistance Exercise
Journal of Sports Science and Medicine: Effects of Short-Term Docosahexaenoic Acid Supplementation on Markers of Inflammation After Eccentric Strength Exercise in Women
International Journal of Sport Nutrition and Exercise Metabolism: Adding Fish Oil to Whey Protein, Leucine and Carbohydrate Over a 6 Week Supplementation Period Attenuates Muscle Soreness Following Eccentric Exercise in Competitive Soccer Players
Advances in Nutrition: Controversies Surrounding High-Protein Diet Intake
