Frequently asked questions
We have the answers to all your questions!
FAQs
My 17-year-old son is asking me to buy him a jar of protein to increase his muscle mass. Is it safe, which product should I buy, and where can I purchase it?
The mix of proteins, leucine, and vitamin D is suitable for all ages. During physical exercise, the muscle undergoes catabolism: it degrades, and proteins and amino acids are extracted. As soon as the training ends, the body initiates a process to rebuild the damaged muscle fibers and strengthens them to handle future sessions. During this metabolic window, it is beneficial to consume "fast" proteins because they are absorbed by the body in less than an hour. Taking 20 to 40g of protein enriched with leucine and vitamin D after training helps reduce recovery time, decrease muscle soreness, and prevent muscle degradation. All components of Total Protein Muscle are naturally present in our daily diet. The formula contains no doping products, is low in fat, and has the optimal amount of proteins and amino acids without any side effects on health. It does not contain creatine, which is an effective source of amino acids but causes water retention in muscle cells. Taking creatine before a training session is beneficial for athletes who need to exert intense effort, such as lifting heavy weights or bulking up the muscle, but it is not suitable for muscle recovery.
Production is carried out in Belgium by a laboratory with nearly 50 years of experience, favoring natural ingredients from European sources. This lab also has internal quality control that ensures the perfect compliance of the finished product. Total Protein Muscle is available at the pharmacy of the pharmacist who developed the formula. The product can also be ordered through this website.
Your product has been enriched with leucine, a branched-chain amino acid (BCAA). Why did you not also add isoleucine and valine, the other two BCAAs?
Isoleucine and valine are already present in the 21g of protein isolate in the product. A study conducted in 2014 demonstrated that only the addition of leucine is relevant for stimulating muscle protein synthesis. This study also showed that adding isoleucine and valine decreased this stimulation.
The formula of Total Protein Muscle is based solely on solid scientific studies. There is no question of adding unnecessary or even harmful ingredients to the formula's effectiveness for purely commercial reasons.
Your product contains lipids, so I risk gaining weight by consuming it?
Total Protein Muscle is a product that has been registered with the AFSCA as a dietary supplement. Displaying the fat content is a legal requirement for all registered products.
Each 33g serving of our product contains trace amounts of fat (equivalent to about 10 drops of olive oil, less than a gram), so there is no risk of gaining weight with such small quantities.
Your product contains milk proteins, is this good for your health?
Some companies or resellers attempt to hide the source of their proteins under the English name "Isolate Whey Protein." Whey protein, in French "protéine de petit lait," is a mixture extracted from whey, a liquid byproduct of cheese making. Milk contains two types of proteins: casein and water-soluble proteins. While casein, the protein responsible for most milk allergies, is retained in cheese, whey collects the water-soluble proteins, which are non-allergenic, highly digestible, and quickly absorbed. This is why these proteins are present in almost all protein preparations for athletes. They are of excellent quality and inexpensive.
Total Protein Muscle uses a whey protein isolate in its formula: the whey proteins have been processed to remove fat and lactose. The isolate consists of more than 90% protein. Studies have shown that the ingestion of whey protein results in a higher plasma concentration of leucine and a significantly greater stimulation of muscle protein synthesis, specifically 33% higher compared to soy protein and 122% higher compared to casein.
Your product contains carbohydrates. Am I consuming calories that negate the benefits of my workout session?
It is well known that excessive consumption of fast sugars is harmful to health. However, the only time muscles can benefit from these sugars is after training: the rise in insulin levels promotes the replenishment of glycogen stores in the muscle and allows for better protein synthesis. It is recommended to consume 60g of sugar after physical exercise. A dose of Total Protein Muscle contains about 6g of carbohydrates. We therefore advise combining a dose of Total Protein Muscle with the consumption of a fruit. Scientifically speaking, sugar-free diets are misguided. However, it is important to be reasonable in your consumption and reserve it for after physical exertion.
Your product contains 66% protein, but others contain 70% or even 80%. Are they better as a result?
It is pointless to compare the percentage of protein in a product. What matters is the amount in grams. Studies show that consuming 20g of protein and especially 3 to 5g of leucine after physical exercise is sufficient to stimulate muscle protein synthesis. This amount varies depending on weight, intensity, and duration of the training. Therefore, you only need to adjust the dose according to the circumstances. Each dose of Total Protein Muscle contains approximately 22g of protein and 4g of leucine (66% of the dose). The remaining 34% are natural additives that give the final product its delicious chocolate flavor and smooth texture.
I am a woman and regularly participate in activities at my sports club. Can I take protein supplements, or are they only for bodybuilders?
The mix of proteins, leucine, and vitamin D is suitable for both men and women athletes who want complete and harmonious muscle building. During physical exercise, the muscle undergoes catabolism: it degrades, and proteins and amino acids are extracted. As soon as the training ends, the body initiates a process to rebuild the damaged muscle fibers and strengthens them to handle future sessions. During this metabolic window, it is beneficial to consume "fast" proteins because they are absorbed by the body in less than an hour. Taking 20 to 40g of protein enriched with leucine and vitamin D after training helps reduce recovery time, decrease muscle soreness, and prevent muscle degradation. All components of Total Protein Muscle are naturally present in our daily diet. The formula contains no doping products, is low in fat, and has the optimal amount of proteins and amino acids without any side effects on health. It does not contain creatine, which is an effective source of amino acids but causes water retention in muscle cells. Taking creatine before a training session is beneficial for athletes who need to exert intense effort, such as lifting heavy weights or bulking up the muscle, but it is not suitable for muscle recovery.
Production is carried out in Belgium by a laboratory with nearly 50 years of experience, favoring natural ingredients from European sources. This lab also has internal quality control that ensures the perfect compliance of the finished product.
I've heard about another type of protein, casein. Which is more beneficial for an athlete?
Casein, like whey proteins, comes from dairy products and is rich in essential amino acids. However, it is a slow-digesting protein, better consumed in the evening to prevent nighttime muscle breakdown. It is not recommended for stimulating protein synthesis after physical exercise. Its use is reserved for athletes who have chosen a very low-protein diet and need to make up for a deficit, or for older individuals who consume very little protein and suffer from muscle loss.
Some brands of protein powder contain whey protein isolate (whey protein isolate) as well as whey protein concentrate, whey protein hydrolysate, and milk protein isolate. What is the difference between these products?
All these products come from whey protein, a mixture extracted from whey. What differentiates them is their degree of filtration. The more filtration, the more concentrated the product is in proteins. For commercial reasons, some producers dilute the most concentrated form with the less pure and therefore less expensive one. Nevertheless, the latter is still an excellent source of protein.
In Total Protein Muscle, we use one of the most concentrated forms and the one with the least fat content, whey protein isolate, because we focus on post-exercise recovery. Fats slow down gastric emptying and can delay protein absorption. As soon as the training ends, the body initiates a process to rebuild the damaged muscle fibers and strengthen them for future sessions. During this metabolic window, it is beneficial to consume "fast" proteins because they are absorbed by the body in less than an hour.
Some protein products mention 9.9g of leucine per 100g of protein on their packaging. Do they contain enough leucine to stimulate muscle protein synthesis?
No, no whey protein product contains enough leucine: 9.9g of leucine per 100g of protein does not equate to 9.9g per 100g of the finished product. To obtain the minimum required leucine per dose, an additional amount of this branched-chain amino acid (BCAA) is necessary. Researchers who studied the effect of proteins with varying leucine levels on muscle protein synthesis concluded that the leucine content in the proteins was the determining factor. A study also demonstrated that the simultaneous intake of the other two BCAAs (isoleucine and valine) reduced leucine's effect on protein synthesis. Therefore, it is not recommended to consume a complete BCAA blend after physical exercise.
There is a lot of talk about the benefits of collagen. Why doesn't Total Protein Muscle contain any?
Collagen is a protein and therefore a source of amino acids, similar to whey protein. However, the composition of whey protein is better suited for post-exercise recovery because collagen is relatively low in essential amino acids like leucine, which plays a key role in muscle protein synthesis. Therefore, there is no benefit to using a whey protein/collagen blend during the muscle recovery period.
Collagen can, however, be a useful supplement for improving the health of joints, tendons, and ligaments, especially for athletes who put a lot of stress on these structures. It provides a significant amount of glycine, proline, and hydroxyproline, which are essential for collagen synthesis in the body. The ideal time to take collagen is in the morning with a meal to enhance its absorption, along with foods rich in vitamin C, such as citrus fruits. This will support the health of your connective tissues throughout the day.
Collagen can also be taken an hour before bedtime because glycine, which it contains, has been associated in some studies with improved sleep quality. The company Neutrient markets high-quality hydrolyzed bovine collagen peptides (types I and III, unlike marine collagen which contains only type I), which are particularly recommended for joint and tendon support in athletes.