Post Workout Intestinal Damage

Phil Heath Nutritions

Researchers from the Netherlands reported that post-workout protein absorption was delayed due to intestinal injury, leading to a loss of gut barrier function. The hypothesis is that the rapid redistribution of blood from the gut to the skeletal muscle leads to oxygen deprivation in enterocytes in the intestinal tract. Researchers wanted to examine the relationship between intestinal injury and protein synthesis. Twenty-four young males ingested 20 grams of casein protein at rest or after performing six sets of 10 repetitions for leg press and leg extensions. The researchers also recorded intestinal fatty-acid binding protein (I-FABP) as a measure of small intestinal injury. The researchers reported that plasma I-FABP levels were increased after exercise by 35%. In resting conditions, I-FABP levels remained unchanged. Dietary protein digestion and absorption rates were reduced during post-exercise recovery when compared with resting conditions. With this new information, it seems that taking a whey protein supplement makes more sense than taking a casein based supplement powder, which has a slower release time to the blood.