By Brendan Brazier
Endurance athlete and raw fan, Brendan Brazier talks lean muscles and protein on a plant-based diet.
Having been a competitive endurance athlete since the age of 15, I found that – once I overcame the initial pitfalls – a plant-based, whole food diet offered several advantages. Among them: I didn’t get sick as often, I was able to train harder, and I stayed light – yet became stronger. Clearly these are significant advantages when pursuing peak athletic performance. However, remaining light while having the ability to build muscular strength – and therefore functionality – was certainly one of the greatest attributes this novel way of eating bestowed upon me.
As endurance athletes, we don’t aspire to build muscular size (bulk), but rather to simply develop what muscle we do have to be strong, and thereby function efficiently. Building strength while not packing on bulk will raise strength-to-weight ratio. That’s good. And as a direct result, endurance takes a leap forward.
But what about strength athletes such as bodybuilders, can they benefit from a similar plant-based diet? Yes, in fact they can. While endurance athletes aim to develop efficient muscles without increasing their size, bodybuilders are quite the opposite.
In competition, since bodybuilders are judged by appearance alone, they train accordingly. Bulk, symmetry and definition are the three visual points a bodybuilder will be assessed on. Since the way in which their muscles actually perform – their functionality – is not factored into scoring, time and effort will not be spent honing that aspect.
However, what builds efficient muscles in endurance athletes is the same thing that builds visually impressive muscles in bodybuilders: hard work.
Does more protein mean more muscle?
Immediately following an intense workout, those serious about packing on lean muscles will down a high-protein shake. They know that to repair muscle tissue after breaking it down in the gym requires the rebuilding properties of protein. But what most don’t place credence in is the protein source. In the minds of many, quantity is the priority; the more protein, the better. But does more really equate to better results? Let’s take a look.
The way to add extra protein to the diet, while not increasing fat or carbohydrate content, is to mechanically or chemically remove the fat and carbohydrate component. What remains is called protein isolate. The protein has been isolated from the other macronutrients of the food and as such, its ratio has increased. Some manufactured isolates register protein content in excess of 90%. But once isolated, it is no longer a whole food and therefore harder for the body to digest, assimilate and utilise. Plus, protein isolates are inherently acid-forming. And with the onset of an acidic body, functionality declines.
It is true that when a traditional acid-forming post-workout smoothie containing protein isolate is swapped for a plant-based whole food option, muscular size loss is likely. Understandably, this will lead to concern for those athletes whose goal it is to pack on muscle mass. But, what is actually transpiring is a good thing. What they are loosing in size is simply inflammation.
Eat plants, work hard, build muscle Immediately following a weight training workout, the muscles are broken down and thus inflamed. And as we know, acid-forming food creates inflammation. Therefore the consumption of a traditional post-workout smoothie that contains protein isolates will exacerbate the level and rate of inflammation. With inflammation comes size, but with inflammation also come a reduction in functionality. As the muscles become less functional, their ability to lift weight declines.
That’s a problem. Lifting heavy weight is what makes muscles strong – and big. Of course, if the body delves into a less functional state, it simply won’t have the ability to work as intensely. And without the capacity to train hard, muscles cannot continue to grow. In addition to inflamed muscles not having the capacity to lift as much weight, more time will also need to be allocated between training sessions to allow inflammation to dissipate. That’s bad. Since intensity and frequency are the two prime components to a successful muscle building program, inflammation can well become the greatest single inhibitor of progress.
Helping you to help yourself In place of isolates and acid-forming animal foods, there are host of plant-based options that will ensure inflammation be kept to a minimum. Post workout, excellent plant-based protein sources include hemp, pea and rice protein. And while protein is a crucial component for muscle repair and building, so too are essential fatty acids (omega-3 and omega-6), vitamins, minerals, enzymes, probiotics, antioxidants and a host of other nutritional components that can be found in a variety of plant-based whole foods. This being the case, post-workout smoothies that contain these components and not merely protein deliver greater results. Additionally, chlorella – a form of freshwater algae – is an excellent edition to the post-workout smoothie. Due to its exceptionally high chlorophyll content, it’s among the most alkaline-forming foods available. Plus, its protein percentage is almost 70%, naturally.
So while plant-based nutrition won’t necessarily make you a better athlete, it will allow you to train harder. And as all great athletes know, their success hinges on their ability to pursue it. With improved functionality and less rest required between workouts, success will be yours for the taking.
About Brendan Brazier
is a former professional Ironman triathlete, bestselling author of The Thrive Diet, and the creator of VEGA, an award-winning whole food product line. Recognised as one of the world's foremost authorities on plant-based nutrition, Brazier is a guest lecturer at Cornell University. For further information visit www.BrendanBrazier.com.
This article was published in the Spring 2012 issue of Get Fresh
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