It is widely accepted that increased protein intake is necessary for muscle growth, recovery and performance. But- which protein is best? The market is crowded with ALL sorts, from the classic Whey, to collagen, dehydrated beef and even black bean powder. Poor vegans only have a subset of choice- limited to the “plant proteins” (including rice, pea, black bean etc,.)… BUT the recent popularity of a #plantbased diet makes once “vegan” proteins a natural and healthy choice for all. Vegan or Not, Rule 1 has answered the call of the people with their latest protein… Rule 1 Plant Protein.
First things first… DISCLAMER: there is no SOY in this product. I can’t tell you how many bodybuilders or serious gym goers shudder at the sound of vegan or plant based, purely based on the assumption that it will contain soy and thus strip their masculinity or #gains. Now, there is some method to their madness…scientific studies have shown that supplementation with soy protein blunts testosterone levels after exercise (1). But… this #plantbased and #vegan protein contains NO soy and will only enhance and maximise protein synthesis and thus muscle hypertrophy.
Why Rule 1 plant protein over other plant based products?
Many people strongly feel that vegan/plant proteins are inferior to whey and other animal based proteins. As a result, why go for a vegan protein, unless for have ethical reasons? Well, the fact is that many plant proteins ARE less “complete” compared to animal products. According to the WHO (World Health Organisation), the quality of a protein is determined by assessing its essential amino acid composition, digestibility and bioavailability of amino acids. Animal products, such as whey, often have a complete range of all essential amino acids. Depending on the processing of the protein, they are also easily digested and absorbed. Unfortunately plant based protein sources are limited in amino acid range. For example, Rice protein, which is high in the sulfur-containing amino acids (cysteine and methionine) but deficient in lysine.
The composition of various proteins may be so unique that their influence on physiological function in the human body could be quite different. So in answer, yes – a singular plant based protein i.e pea protein powder or a black bean protein powder may not contain a complete amino acid profile and will not be as effective compared to say Rule 1 100% Whey.
BUT… In order to produce an equally nutritious and natural product that has a Complete Amino Acid Profile, Rule 1 combines 4 different sources of plant protein with unique physiological benefits:
- Pea protein- contains important branched-chain amino acids (BCAAs) isoleucine, leucine, and valine. It’s widely accepted that BCAAs are especially important in promoting muscle protein synthesis and enhanced recovery from exercise.
- Sunflower seed protein – a somewhat rare plant protein as it contains a whopping 9 of the essential amino acids. The only one that’s low is lysine (but don’t worry- that’s also found in Pumpkin seed protein!).
- Pumpkin seed protein- also contains all of the essential amino acids with bonus nutrients potassium, magnesium, manganese, zinc and selenium (2)
- Watermelon seed protein – consists of several amino acids, including arginine which has been shown to alleviate muscle fiber damage and preserve exercise performance capacity (3). To top this off, it is also loaded with several B vitamins.
In summary…
Vegetable proteins, when strategically combined to provide for all of the essential amino acids, such as Rule 1 Plant Protein, provide an excellent source for protein. They are in fact superior to other animal and artificial products for those with digestion issues or food sensitivities. Rule 1 Plant protein is gluten AND lactose free. It is also sweetened with stevia to avoid a very common but sometimes problematic sweetener, sucralose: for some people, the culprit of the infamous protein powder pumps (specific gut bacteria can ferment this sugar alcohol to produce bloating and gas).
So, If you want 24g per serving of 100% Plant protein with a 100% Complete Amino Acid Profile… look no further than RULE 1 PLANT PROTEIN.
References:
1.) The effects of soy and whey protein supplementation on acute hormonal responses to resistance exercise in men. Kraemer WJ1, Solomon-Hill G, Volk BM, Kupchak BR, Looney DP, Dunn-Lewis C, Comstock BA, Szivak TK, Hooper DR, Flanagan SD, Maresh CM, Volek JS. J Am Coll Nutr. 2013;32(1):66-74.
2.) Amino Acid, Mineral and Fatty Acid Content of Pumpkin Seeds (Cucurbita spp) and Cyperus esculentus Nuts in the Republic of Niger, R H Glew, Plant Foods for Human Nutrition 61(2):
3.) L-arginine supplementation protects exercise performance and structural integrity of muscle fibers after a single bout of eccentric exercise in rats. Lomonosova YN1, Shenkman BS1, Kalamkarov GR2, Kostrominova TY3, Nemirovskaya TL4. PLoS One. 2014 Apr 15;9(4):e94448.