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**angrydoc** · 21-04-12, 07:00

And I've studied them!

There is no good quality evidence that protein shakes aid muscle buildup (or, strangely, weight loss as some of them also do). Loads of crap studies have been done but you can't take messages from crap studies.

It's no skin off my nose if you use them - it's a huge industry so you're not the only gullible one. But there will be insufficient time in basic training to do all the gym work you need to do in order to justify your purchase.

**Ratcatcher** · 21-04-12, 07:55

The way I understand it is that it works a little like cigarettes. You don't need it, it doesn't help, it doesn't make you cool but if you start taking it your body becomes crapper at absorbing protein because there is so much of it. So when you stop taking it, it takes a while for your body to get used to absorbing protein the normal way during which you have less protein than you should. At no point do you get extra protein to make you buff.

In short: drink milk

**insertnamehere** · 22-04-12, 13:59

I suppose i am one of the gullible ones. I take the powders on and off depending how much im training. However I don't use or even think they do help build muscle as I dont want to become he-man anyway! I always assumed to use them just as a recovery supplement as from doing a little reading about them i just make sure theres a decent protein amount and it has BCAA's in there. I fully admit to being lead to believe they help in this fashion but aware this could just be a placebo effect......

My main point being can i take from this that they don't even really assist with repair? Before anyone jumps in with just eat a healthy well balanced diet (which i do 80% of the week) is i have the powder for simple ease to deliver the nutrients straight after a training session....

cúnt · 22-04-12, 14:06

For recovery just take a handful of mixed nuts, a litre of water and have a wank. Works for me, and I can lift a fat girl clean in to the back of my van.

**Mike777** · 22-04-12, 14:09

Originally Posted by angrydoc

And I've studied them!

There is no good quality evidence that protein shakes aid muscle buildup (or, strangely, weight loss as some of them also do). Loads of crap studies have been done but you can't take messages from crap studies.

It's no skin off my nose if you use them - it's a huge industry so you're not the only gullible one. But there will be insufficient time in basic training to do all the gym work you need to do in order to justify your purchase.

Similar question Doc, is Creatine worth drinking? I drink a bottle of squash with a teaspoon of creatine in it after running and I was wondering if it was actually any good?

**WreckerL** · 22-04-12, 14:25

I think it's about time AD started a consultancy for explaining to gullible people who believe all the bollox on this sport food/drink get fit quick/gain weight quick/lose weight quick/get big muscles quick* charade.

*delete as applicable

**jockpopeye** · 23-04-12, 08:02

I asked if I could take protein powders to Raleigh, they told me "No whey!"

**wet_blobby** · 23-04-12, 08:34

So were those glucose tablets you'd get in the rat packs back in the day a load of shit?

Not that I ate them, they went in the same bin as the garibaldi bikkies.

**Ninja_Stoker** · 23-04-12, 08:40

It's interesting that a despite a Raleigh Instructor advising supplements are not permitted & a qualified Medical Officer saying they are a waste of time, that there are those who persist in wasting their money.

Then again, I'm all for taxing the gullible.

One thing I have noticed is that those taking protein shakes within 48 hours of a medical often get made temporarily medically unfit due to raised levels of protein in their urine, which is a good indicator of how much of it actually gets absorbed by the body. Or not.