FAQ for those interested in sports- / nutrition science

How does PeptoPro® work?
PeptoPro® improves endurance, accelerates recovery and reduces muscle soreness resulting in better physical performance. The biological activity resides in the fact that PeptoPro® mainly consists of di- and tripeptides, which are easily and rapidly absorbed. This results, on one hand, in a fast supply of amino acid building blocks flipping the negative protein balance during exercise into a positive one and increasing muscle protein synthesis. On the other hand, rapid absorption of amino acids leads to an increase in insulin secretion after exercise, resulting in replenishment of glycogen energy stores in the muscle cells.

What is the active ingredient in PeptoPro®?
There is no single active ingredient in PeptoPro®. PeptoPro® delivers a complete balanced mix of all necessary amino acids required for muscle protein building. The uniqueness of PeptoPro® is its very high rate of amino acid delivery to the body.

When do you have to take PeptoPro®?
PeptoPro® can be taken prior to exercise (e.g. as 350-500 ml of a 1% protein drink) to stimulate muscle protein synthesis.
PeptoPro® can be taken during exercise (e.g. regularly sipping a 1-2% protein drink) to reduce the muscle protein breakdown that normally occurs during exercise, and to increase its synthesis.
PeptoPro® can be taken directly after exercise (e.g. as 350-500 ml of a 2-4% protein drink) to rapidly restore muscle glycogen stores as well as enhance muscle protein synthesis.

What are the minimum and maximum dosages?
There is scientific evidence for significant beneficial effect on performance at a minimal dose of 18 grams of PeptoPro®. Lower dosages will probably also work but have not been tested in our studies.
There is no maximum dose, but PeptoPro® is a protein and it is generally recommended not to exceed daily protein intake of 1 g/kg/day. However, most people in Western countries actually consume more, and protein requirement also increases upon heavy physical training.

Is PeptoPro® only beneficial for professional sportsmen?
No, PeptoPro® can be beneficial for all active inividuals. PeptoPro® can reduce muscle ache even in those who are not used to physical activity at all.

PeptoPro® stimulates insulin secretion. Is it safe for people with Diabetes?
Yes. PeptoPro® as such can even be beneficial as it has been shown that casein hydrolysates also increase insulin secretion in people suffering from Diabetes type 2, resulting in the advantageous lowering of plasma glucose levels. Interestingly, it has been shown that PeptoPro® even stimulates muscle protein synthesis in the absence of added sugars. However, when standard premixes of PeptoPro® are combined with significant amounts of sugar, Diabetics should be aware of the sugar content in the product.

Does PeptoPro® work better than intact casein?
Yes, for several reasons. First, PeptoPro® can be more easily formulated in clear drinks than intact protein. Second, PeptoPro® quenches thirst better than intact protein. Third, PeptoPro® causes less gastro-intestinal discomfort (‘full stomach’) during exercise than does intact protein. Fourth, amino acids from a hydrolysate are absorbed faster than those from an intact protein.

Does PeptoPro® work better than other hydrolysed proteins?
Yes, for several reasons. First, the protein quality (amino acid profile and digestibility) of casein is better than that of most other protein sources, including soy, wheat, corn or gelatin. This is an important factor in stimulating muscle protein synthesis, which depends on supply of all 20 amino acids. Second, in contrast to many other protein hydrolysates, PeptoPro® is extensively hydrolysed. It therefore contains mainly very small peptides (di- and tripeptides) that are absorbed without energy loss as they do not require additional digestion. Third, PeptoPro® is generated by use of a unique debittering enzyme, resulting in a less bitter taste that other protein hydrolysates. And fourth, there is a growing body of scientific evidence proving the efficacy of PeptoPro® in humans, which is an increasingly strict regulatory requirement for making claims about products.

What scientific studies have been done on PeptoPro®?
Many studies have been done to investigate the effect of PeptoPro® on endurance, muscle protein synthesis, and performance in sportsmen. Also some studies have investigated the mode of action of PeptoPro®. References:

Peer-reviewed journals:

Kaastra, B., R.J.F. Manders, E. van Breda, A. Kies, A.E. Jeukendrup, H.A. Keizer, H. Kuipers and L.J.C. van Loon, 2006. Effects of increasing insulin secretion on acute post-exercise blood glucose disposal. Med. Sci. Sports Exerc. 38:268-275.
Koopman, R., M. Beelen, T. Stellingwerf, B. Pennings, W.H.M. Saris, A.K. Kies, H. Kuipers, and L.J.C. van Loon, 2007. Coingestion of carbohydrate with protein does not further augment postexercise muscle protein synthesis. Am.J.Physiol.Endocrinol.Metab. 293:E833-E842.
Beelen, M., R. Koopman, A.P. Gijsen, H. Vandereyt, A.K. Kies, H. Kuipers, W.H.M. Saris, and L.J.C. van Loon, 2008. Protein co-ingestion stimulates muscle protein synthesis during resistance type exercise. Am.J.Physiol.Endocrinol.Metab. April 2008: doi:10.1152/ajpendo.00774.2007 (in press)

Abstracts:

Saunders, M.J., N.D. Luden, C.A. Pratt, and R.W. Moore, 2006. Carbohydrate and protein hydrolysate beverage improves late-race performance and prevents post-exercise muscle damage. J.Int.Soc.Sports Nutr. 3, supplement:S20.
Kurasowa, Y., R. Kime, N. Murase, T. Osada, K. Shiroishi, K. Shimomura, M. Mori-Matsumura, M. Anjo, S. Ichimura, and T. Katsumura, 2006. Milk peptide intake enhances bicycle exercise performance after exhaustive exercise. Med.Sci.Sports Exerc. 38, Suppl.:S125.
Moore, R.W., M.J. Saunders, C.A. Pratt, M.C. Hammer, K.L. Lehman, K. Todd, J.A. Flohr, and A.K. Kies, 2007. Improved tme to exhaustion with carbohydrate-protein hydrolysate beverage. Med.Sci.Sports Exerc. 39, Suppl.:S89-S90.
Pratt, C.A., M.J. Saunders, R.W. Moore, M.C. Hammer, M.K. Todd, J.A. Flohr, and A.K. Kies, 2007. Improved endurance performance with carbohydrate-protein hydrolysate beverage not due to attenuated central fatigue. Med.Sci.Sports Exerc. 39, Suppl.:S362.
Saunders, M.J., R.W. Moore, C.A. Pratt, M.C. Hammer, K.L. Lehman, L.B. Mattox, and A.K. Kies, 2007. Changes in post-exercise force production and soreness related to protein hydrolysate concentrations of sports beverages. Med.Sci.Sports Exerc. 39, Suppl.:S363.

In a supplement of the International Journal of Sport Nutrition and Exercise Metabolism papers presented at a PeptoPro® symposium were published. Most of the papers are general protein-peptides-amino acids reviews, in some reference is made to work with PeptoPro®.

Van Loon, L.J.C., A.K. Kies, and W.H.M. Saris, 2007. Protein and protein hydrolysates in sports nutrition. Int.J.Sport Nutr.Exerc.Metab. 17 (supplement):S1-S4.
Moughan, P.J., M.F. Fuller, K.-S. Han, A.K. Kies, and W. Miner-Williams, 2007. Food-derived bioactive peptides influence gut function. Int.J.Sport Nutr.Exerc.Metab. 17 (supplement):S5-SS22.
Ten Have, G.A.M., M.P.K.J. Engelen, Y.C. Luiking, and N.E.P. Deutz, 2007. Absorption kinetics of amino acids, peptides and intact proteins. Int.J.Sport Nutr.Exerc.Metab. 17 (supplement):S23-S36.
Meeusen, R. and P. Watson, 2007. Amino acids and the brain; do they play a role in ‘central fatigue’? Int.J.Sport Nutr.Exerc.Metab. 17 (supplement):S37-S46.
Koopman, R., 2007. Role of amino acids and peptides in the molecular signaling in skeletal muscle following resistance exercise. Int.J.Sport Nutr.Exerc.Metab. 17 (supplement):S47-S57.
Phillips, S.M., D.R. Moore, and J.E. Tang, 2007. A critical examination of dietary protein requirements, benefits, and excesses in athletes. Int.J.Sport Nutr.Exerc.Metab. 17 (supplement):S58-S76.
Tipton, K.D., 2007. Role of protein and hydrolysates before exercise. Int.J.Sport Nutr.Exerc.Metab. 17 (supplement):S77-S86.
Saunders, M.J., 2007. Co-ingestion of carbohydrate-protein during endurance exercise; influence on performance and recovery. Int.J.Sport Nutr.Exerc.Metab. 17 (supplement):S87-S103.
Van Loon, L.J.C., 2007. The application of protein or protein hydrolysates to improve post-exercise recovery. Int.J.Sport Nutr.Exerc.Metab. 17 (supplement):S104-S117.