Ive noticed that the label of my ZMA says not to eat dairy products before I take it, my typical pre-bed food is cottage cheese. Does anyone know why I should’nt eat dairy? Is it pointless me taking ZMA if im going to eat cottage cheese before bed?
I know its not a major issue, but I would be greatful for any response.
[quote]Rza UK wrote:
Ive noticed that the label of my ZMA says not to eat dairy products before I take it, my typical pre-bed food is cottage cheese. Does anyone know why I should’nt eat dairy? Is it pointless me taking ZMA if im going to eat cottage cheese before bed?
I know its not a major issue, but I would be greatful for any response.[/quote]
Calcium blocks absorbtion of ZMA. I do the same thing, but I’ll take the ZMA about 45 minutes before I eat and hit the sack.
Okay I will try the same thing. I usually eat cottage cheese at 11:30 and take my ZMA at 12:00 and then it will usually take me half hour to get to sleep. I think I may have wasted some of the effects of ZMA by having dairy to close to when I take the ZMA.
Cheers
How does casein come into play with this?-Metabolic Drive is technically a dairy product, and I tend to take my Flameout and zma with a Metabolic Drive shake.
[quote]klochinator wrote:
How does casein come into play with this?-Metabolic Drive is technically a dairy product, and I tend to take my Flameout and zma with a Metabolic Drive shake.[/quote]
You are probably wasting at least some of the effects of the ZMA then.
ZMA should be taken on an empty stomach ideally in my opinion, so it doesn’t matter if your meal is a Metabolic Drive shake, a block of cheese, or a pile of waffles. Wait 2 hours after dinner, take the ZMA, wait another 30-60 minutes, have your pre-bed meal.
I read somewhere on this site it takes about an hour for ZMA to absorb.
So you could take ZMA 1 hour before bed, then take your casein right before sleeping
awesome, thanks guys. I’ll switch that up tonight. I’ve only been doing it for about 2 weeks due to convenience. And I’ve noticed that I’ve had trouble sleeping when I get to bed over the past 2 weeks. I’ve been looking for a correlation between my pre-bed meal and my not falling asleep; looks like you guys found it. Thanks!
[quote]Joris wrote:
I read somewhere on this site it takes about an hour for ZMA to absorb.
So you could take ZMA 1 hour before bed, then take your casein right before sleeping[/quote]
I like this idea, as I do like to have a slow burning protein right before I go to bed. As long as the casein (taken an hour after ZMA) doesnt interfere with the ZMA working.
The problem is that zinc, Ca+ and Mg+ all compete for the same absorption channels in the digestive tract. Now given the digestive system is nearly 20 ft long in most folks, I really don’t think there’s going to be a problem extracting these components from the lumen of your intestine.
I guess my point is, don’t be too worried that you’re wasting any of it. Your gut has ample oportunity to get these minerals into your bloodstream even if they’re taken in combination. You’re prob just not absorbing as efficiently, or at the times that you might think you are.
DJ
Cool, thanks DJ