[quote]xahliftinracerx wrote:
This protocol made a lot of sense to me at first but after taking my clinical physiology course I have a few questions that I hope can be answered.
First off, one thing I learned is that high protein in the blood causes an acidic environment, and in an acidic environment in the body, neuron conduction is decreased (this is very bad for lifting). So wouldn’t a lot of protein before and during the workout actually hinder workout performance? [/quote]
What degree of acidity is needed for neuron impairment? And what degree of acidity is induced by the protocol?
Since observation on the protocol have seen increased workout performance, either the increase in acidity is not enough to elicit reduced neuron activity, or the bodies buffer systems can easily handle the increase.
[quote]
Secondly, there is also a fair amount of calcium in the protocol for pre-intra workout. High calcium levels in the blood also lower neuron conduction and make the body slower/sluggish. Also = big problem for workout performance.[/quote]
Calcium is also very intimately involved in muscular contraction, lesser of two evils.
Also, what level of serum Ca2+ is required for reduced neuron conduction? If it is excessive, than there is the possibility that the protocol will not break that threshold.
Again, observations have seen an increase in performance, not a decrease.
Combining the two preceding points; it is possible Ca2+ may be acting as a buffer, thereby not exerting effects of excess on neurons. (Ie. two bad possibilities negating each other)
[quote]
Since protein synthesis is increased for 24-48 hours after working out and doesn’t really get jacked up any more during the workout. The carb uptake is what is increased during and for up to 4 hours after the workout. So wouldn’t the optimal protocol be to eat just lots of carbs + a little protein right before and during the workout? This would keep insulin high preventing the muscle breakdown (also shuttling w/e carbs aren’t used for energy into the muscle stores) and would shuttle the protein into the muscles more optimally w/o causing a lot of protein in the blood creating an acidic environment. Then having protein after the workout while insulin levels are still high (from the continuous intake of carbs). This will still shuttle the protein into the muscles while creating a better environment in the body for optimal performance in the gym and optimal growth outside the gym. [/quote]
First, although protein synthesis is increased for the 1-2 day period, I doubt the premise of the rate of protein synthesis not being increased during the workout. (I cannot give evidence to this stance, it just seems illogical to me to insinuate that the rate of protein synthesis is the same during the Anaconda protocol and during sleep or rest).
And insulin is already incredibly high during the protocol; the FINiBARs are a high carb source with casein (an insulinogenic protein), and I believe the palatinose is more insulinogenic that most other carb sources as well. The protein contains CHY and lots of L-Leucine, which both increase Insulin a shit-ton as well.
However, if your question is “Wouldn’t a lot of carbs and protein before and during a workout be more effective?”, then it is doubtful (IMO). Your method would definitely be effective (as it is what I am doing with whey hydroslate and glucose at the moment), but the Anaconda protocol has the carbs and protein as well as being minimally digestive intensive.
And, many people who have had protein and carbs prior to a workout and during have stated that the Anaconda protocol is better.