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Thread: On the mechanics of MPS

  1. #1
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    Default On the mechanics of MPS

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    In your article you write about muscle protein synthesis (MPS) and refractionary period.

    My understanding is, that MPS comes into effect a) AFTER you've eaten enough protein to trigger it and b) you must have had enough essential amino acids ingested in the past 4-6 hours. So far correct?

    So, first question: if I use a protein shake (say, 50g protein) after waking up in the morning and I haven't had any protein for the past 10-12 hours, will a MPS still be triggered?

    Second question: After MPS is triggered, does any more protein ingested afterwards still contribute to the refractionary period that follows afterwards? Or would it be "stored" until the next bout of MPS occurs?

    If it's relevant, I'm (soon) 28yo, 5'9" and around 200 lbs.

  2. #2
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    Quote Originally Posted by Miro View Post
    So, first question: if I use a protein shake (say, 50g protein) after waking up in the morning and I haven't had any protein for the past 10-12 hours, will a MPS still be triggered?
    Yes.

    Second question: After MPS is triggered, does any more protein ingested afterwards still contribute to the refractionary period that follows afterwards? Or would it be "stored" until the next bout of MPS occurs
    I'm not sure I understand your question. Can you clarify?

  3. #3
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    Quote Originally Posted by Jordan Feigenbaum View Post
    I'm not sure I understand your question. Can you clarify?
    I'm not Miro, but if he thinks just like me, then he is asking this: If you consume a protein heavy meal 2 hours after your last meal, the next opportunity to spike MPS is going to be in 3-5 hours since the first (the one that spiked MPS) or the second meal (the one taken in the refractory period)?

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    Well, is MPS instantaneous or is there a process going on (for say, 10 min) before MPS "finishes" and the refractionary period begins?
    If it's the latter, can you use that time window to ingest more protein to be "used" in said refractionary preriod? Would that even have any effect whatsoever?

    I eealize this is a purely academic question, but I'm curious nonetheless.

  5. #5
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    Quote Originally Posted by Luke S View Post
    I'm not Miro, but if he thinks just like me, then he is asking this: If you consume a protein heavy meal 2 hours after your last meal, the next opportunity to spike MPS is going to be in 3-5 hours since the first (the one that spiked MPS) or the second meal (the one taken in the refractory period)?
    The second meal, as amino acid levels need to drop and signaling molecules need to become more "sensitive" to subsequent feedings. As far as how much this matters long term? We don't know.

    Quote Originally Posted by Miro View Post
    Well, is MPS instantaneous or is there a process going on (for say, 10 min) before MPS "finishes" and the refractionary period begins?
    If it's the latter, can you use that time window to ingest more protein to be "used" in said refractionary preriod? Would that even have any effect whatsoever?

    I eealize this is a purely academic question, but I'm curious nonetheless.
    MPS peaks at about 90 min post prandial and then wanes until a certain threshold of amino acid/hormonal sensitivity is realized. After this, a response can be seen to subsequent feedings.

  6. #6
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    So that would mean, if I ate some meat or drank a protein shake again 1 hour later after my last meal, the protein would still be used for rebuilding "stuff". If so then it's clear why consuming lots of protein every 2h isn't as effective as many think.

    The second meal before the MPS peaking doesn't count against the 3-5h window, though, does it?

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    Quote Originally Posted by Miro View Post
    So that would mean, if I ate some meat or drank a protein shake again 1 hour later after my last meal, the protein would still be used for rebuilding "stuff".
    No, it wouldn't.


    The second meal before the MPS peaking doesn't count against the 3-5h window, though, does it?
    Yes it does.

  8. #8
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    How do BCAAs fit into this relationship? Should you wait 3 hours after a meal to take your BCAAs and then wait 3 more hours to eat again or does a small dose of BCAAs not signal MPS?

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    Quote Originally Posted by spals View Post
    How do BCAAs fit into this relationship? Should you wait 3 hours after a meal to take your BCAAs and then wait 3 more hours to eat again or does a small dose of BCAAs not signal MPS?
    I'm going to guess there are at least 50 posts in this subforum answering precisely this question. Have a look and see what you find.

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