Micellar Casein an unjustly overlooked supplement

The following lines are dedicated to casein, its properties, benefits and important information that can help you choose a quality casein supplement. Right from the edge, let's take a look at casein. On average, milk protein is composed of 80% casein, the rest is made up of various types of whey protein. Casein is the main source of amino acids, calcium and phosphate, which are essential for healthy mammalian growth and development.

The whey component of milk protein also serves as a source of amino acids and also contains bioactive and health-promoting immunoglobulins. It is known that many new bioactive peptides (immunopeptides, casein phosphate peptides, etc.) are produced during the metabolism of casein and whey protein components. It follows that the use of a combination of casein and whey protein provides significant nutritional and health benefits.

Casein and health

Casein (casein protein) has significant and unfortunately often overlooked health benefits. In its micellar form, it has a unique molecular structure which then reacts with stomach acids to trigger the production of certain enzymes A. These enzymes ensure the production of specific peptides that have, for example, immunomodulatory and antibacterial properties.

Examples of these peptides after consumption of micellar casein:

- Glycomacropeptide (GMP) - Produced after consuming casein at a specific peptide bond between amino acids 105 and 106. When the stomach detects the production of GMP, it triggers a hormonal cascade. The body begins to produce cholecystokinin (CKK) a chemical that signals the brain to feel full. GMP also improves the absorption of calcium and zinc. GMP has also been shown to inhibit platelet aggregation in our veins and arteries, helping to prevent arteriosclerosis.

- Casomorphins - These are peptides cleaved from micellar casein during digestion that have a calming effect. They have been shown to travel to the brain and may have calming, soothing effects. Another interesting property of these peptides is their antihypertensive effect.

- Casein-phospho-peptide (CPP) - The primary advantage of these peptides is their content of highly absorbable calcium and phosphorus. Calcium and phosphorus are essential components of our skeletal system , which is why some studies even recommend CPP as an essential supplement in the prevention of osteoporosis.

Casein and anti-catabolic action

Due to its unique structure, casein behaves differently from whey proteins during digestion. The latter are digested and utilised by the body relatively quickly, whereas casein is digested much more slowly. After consumption, it changes its form in the stomach to a certain gel, thus ensuring a constant flow of amino acids into the blood. Because of this property, casein is considered a very efficient source of amino acids. Its slow release into the bloodstream ensures a long-lasting positive nitrogen balance, thus eliminating muscle damage. For this reason, athletes usually consume it before bedtime to prevent catabolism as much as possible.

Casein and sport

New studies are opening the door to wider use of casein. The following has been shown: Consumption of casein in combination with whey protein after training significantly influences the increase in proteosynthesis and shows a greater effect on muscle mass gain than the intake of a whey protein drink alone. According to research, whey protein promotes short-term protein synthesis and recovery, while casein shows anti-catabolic effects. The postprandial effect (after consumption of any meal) in the transfer of amino acids into the bloodstream is quite different after consumption of casein or whey.

The main benefit of casein is the provision of a sustained increase in blood leucine levels following its intake. It thus conveniently complements whey, which lacks this effect. This mechanism explains its ability to build muscle mass while stimulating the breakdown of subcutaneous fat. Which is a very positive effect. Therefore, it is very short-sighted to consider casein only as a "night protein". Its synergistic effect in conjunction with whey protein in post-workout supplementation is quite crucial. If you want to make the most efficient use of the hard training you have just undergone and you want to give your body the best of what is available on the market today in the field of nutritional preparations, try to pay increased attention to supplements that are composed of micellar casein.

The question of quality

In the field of sports nutrition, there are practically two types of casein preparations on the market - calcium caseinate and micellar casein.

Calcium caseinate

The absolutely unsuitable form is calcium caseinate. It is an obsolete form of casein which is produced by chemical reaction. This form of casein protein is almost indigestible for the digestive tract. Much of the protein ingested is not used and leaves the body undigested. It is obtained by curdling skimmed milk with acids and then neutralising it with calcium hydroxide (sodium hydroxide neutralises sodium caseinate). Due to the initial stages of obtaining the basic casein, the final product loses quality and therefore lacks all the health benefits mentioned above. Calcium caseinate is very often an ingredient in cheap hard casein. "It is very often used in cheap 'overnight proteins'. Such a product is of sub-average to poor quality. Therefore, if you find calcium caseinate in the ingredients, you know that the bioactivity of the product is almost zero.

Micellar casein

The best choice seems to be a casein product that is 100% made up of micellar casein, the benefits of which we have written about above. Micellar casein is a protein with a gradual release of amino acids in the form of micelles (protective coating), which is produced from fresh, skimmed milk. Ultra and micro filtration of the milk protein removes lactose (milk sugar) and fat. The result is approximately 85% protein on a dry matter basis. Micellar casein contains up to 90% casein micelles and a proportion of whey protein. The advantage of micellar casein is its perfect digestibility and availability. Micellar casein is very spreadable and the drink is thick. A product with real micellar casein does not need to be thickened with guar gum and other thickeners or fillers, as this is usually done by 'topping up' calcium caseinate or a lower quality milk concentrate to give it a similar dense texture to micellar casein.

They said of casein...

Dorian Yates 6x Mr. Olympia

If I were to recommend a protein product, it would be a blend of micellar casein and high quality whey protein, supplemented with a small dose of egg albumin if necessary. With such a strategy, you will be assured of a steady supply of amino acids. It's definitely a better choice than using just one type of protein.

Dr. Bill Campbell University of Sounth Florida

In our study, we fed advanced athletes whey protein or micellar casein-based products every day for 12 weeks. The monitored athletes followed the same pacing program. The group that received Micellar Casein had the upper hand in muscle mass gain as well as progress in fat burning. And you all know how difficult it is to build muscle mass and burn fat at the same time.

The uniqueness of Pure Micellar

Our Pure Micellar product contains only pure micellar casein in its native form. Thanks to gentle processing, the bioactivity is preserved to the maximum. The production of Pure Micellar is carried out with modern and cutting-edge microfiltration technology without the use of chemicals and aggressive agents. It does not contain any low-quality caseinates, where the sensitive structures of casein micelles have been damaged. Pure Micellar is highly digestible and very effective in supporting muscle protein synthesis. The increased content of free L-Glutamine supports the recovery of glycogen stores, while also reducing the risk of overtraining and infection after strenuous physical exercise.

Pure Micellar, when mixed with water, turns into a light and nutritious drink with a delicious taste, reminiscent of pudding. The thick and creamy consistency, combined with an exceptionally long period of action, produces a lasting and pleasant feeling of satiety.

Pure Micelar is the perfect protein for use at night and during the day. The unique and gentle manufacturing process maximizes its absorption and utilization by the body. Pure Micellar excels among casein products mainly due to its purity and composition. Careful attention to precision processing, no additives, no denatured caseinate substitutes and excellent taste make it a leader in the casein product category.

• * 100% native micellar casein
• * Rich in anti-catabolic amino acids.
• * Maximum product bioactivity
• * Extra dose of free Glutamine

Get the most out of your workout Finally, we have a pro tip for you to get the most out of your workout and provide your body with essential nutrients for recovery and muscle gains. Immediately after the end of your workout, take 1 dose of BCAA SYNERGY, in the next 30 minutes a protein drink consisting of 20g - 30g of high quality whey protein (HYDRO OPTIMAL WHEY or CFM Evolution) and 10g -20g of pure PURE Micellar Casein. It is also possible to supplement carbohydrates for optimal glycogen resynthesis ( maltodextrin, vitargo). You will thus benefit from the rapid digestion of whey protein and the anti-catabolic effect of gradually absorbed micellar casein.

Written by Pavel Samek