M3:D33 The Anabolic State

I would like to continue my discussion on hormones by discussing the Anabolic State and how you can get there through the way you eat.

Yesterday I mentioned insulin and what it does.  Insulin is a hormone constantly released into the body, but increases in response to sugar inthe blood.  Part of the job of insulin is to shuttle sugars into your the muscle, liver and fat cells.  Insulin also increases protein synthesis and increases the transport of amino acids into the muscles.  Insulin can reduce the breakdown of muscle.  All these things go a long way towards increasing lean body mass.

By decreasing the amount of sugar available to your body you force it to turn to fat for energy.  You do this by increasing the amount of fibrous carbs you take in during the day.  Fibrous carbs do not cause an insulin spike, only starchy carbs and sugar do this. 

The way to get yourself into the Anabolic State is to first wake up in a fasted state (obviously).  You then take your pre-workout meal (usually just a protein shake).  You then do an intense lifting workout.  You next eat/drink a high glycemic meal containing protein.  Gradually decrease your carb intake as the day wears on.  If you do this well, your body will go into the Anabolic State.  You will be burning fat for energy rather than carbs.  This is obviously beneficial for someone trying to drop fat.

All of this is why the post workout meal is so important.  This is your chance to take your body from a catabolic state into an anabolic state.  Your post workout meal should contain whey protein, glutamine, BCAA, and high glycemic carbs.  This will kill off the catabolic state and introduce the anabolic state.  The whey protein is fast digesting and is a foundation of your meal.  The glutamine is an important amino acide and can be turned into glucose for energy.  BCAAs are leaucine, isoleucine and valine.  These stimulate protein synthesis, thereby giving a greater benefit to the inclusion of whey protein in this meal.  You should include a high glycemic carb like dextrose.