Hydrolyzed casein protein, what's the difference?

Hydrolyzed casein protein is the quintessential predigested protein formulation for various purposes.

The formulation of hydrolyzed casein protein, in terms of digestibility, absorption speed, and nitrogen retention compared with all dairy-derived protein supplements, is what distinguishes it here.

Hydrolyzed dairy proteins (both whey and casein) were developed by the food industry for clinical nutrition, in order to combat malnutrition caused by certain pathological conditions, especially in newborns who often have problems with malabsorption or intolerance to milk proteins.

However, it is highly valued in sports because it contains the 20 amino acids necessary for more efficient protein synthesis and supports it through a very high quantity of dipeptides and tripeptides, small molecules that do not require digestion and breakdown.

This means it is rapidly absorbed through a “preferential transport pathway” from the intestinal mucosa. In other words, it passes from the intestines directly and almost instantaneously to the muscles.

The particular enzymatic hydrolysis process that breaks down casein protein chains makes them predigested and virtually definable as lactose- and fat-free, since they exhibit extraordinary solubility even in very little liquid.

Hydrolyzed casein protein in sports

Ideally, science says that maximum advantage should be taken of the phase of peak amino acid absorption efficiency during and immediately after training, which triggers protein synthesis.

However, during physical exercise, the body’s effective digestive capacity is reduced due to limited blood supply to the organs, high energy expenditure, and strain on the nervous system, as well as an inflammatory state that is not exactly favorable.

To facilitate the famous “anabolic window” in the period following training, there is the peculiar characteristic of hydrolyzed casein protein, which allows it to be absorbed without the need to digest food and, by providing a rapid influx of amino acids into the blood available to the muscles, delivers:

• Greater protection during training, and
• Reduced muscle damage (if used before or during the session).
• All of this accelerates protein synthesis and post-workout recovery.

Therefore, with improved healing, the reconstruction of muscle fibers becomes more efficient.

But is it really effective in its function?

The effectiveness of hydrolyzed casein protein has been demonstrated in several human studies showing:

• Improved physical performance and endurance (reduced time to fatigue).
• Stimulation of protein synthesis during and after exercise.
• Accelerated muscle recovery and reduced DOMS (delayed-onset muscle soreness).
• Increased insulin secretion after training, which has been shown to increase glucose uptake and glycogen synthesis in muscle cells.

Composition of hydrolyzed casein protein

Thanks to very specific enzymatic hydrolysis processes, from a technical and scientific standpoint, hydrolyzed casein is the best form of protein supplement, as it has an extremely high concentration (80%) of dipeptides and tripeptides with a molecular weight below 300 daltons, unlike “whole” proteins such as whey isolate or concentrate, which are instead characterized by long chains that need to be digested to break down.

This characteristic makes these supplements extremely unique in terms of rapid absorption and bioavailability.

This process ensures that this mixture is extraordinarily soluble due to the enzymatic hydrolysis of milk casein, but, conversely, it has a very bitter taste and may foam when the powder is mixed with liquid.

This characteristic trait of hydrolyzed casein protein is directly proportional to the degree of hydrolysis achieved by cleaving the polypeptide chains and has always limited its use, since adding various flavorings and sweeteners will NEVER completely change the perception of a bitter taste.

• If the palate finds protein hydrolysates pleasant and free from the typical spicy bitter taste, it means they are not true hydrolysates or have been adulterated with other elements.

However, it is an excellent protein supplement—the best that science has to offer, compared with the flavor, which is not its main attribute.

It generally comes unflavored to ensure the maximum concentration of raw material without altering the product; therefore, it is suitable only for those who understand, appreciate, and perceive its true value.

The activity of hydrolyzed casein protein

Hydrolyzed casein protein supplements are excellent for muscle recovery, as they supply the muscles with the material necessary for their protection and reconstruction extremely quickly.

• This is possible because dipeptides and tripeptides follow a differentiated absorption process (thanks to a specific PEPT-1 transporter), which places them more quickly into the bloodstream than these same free amino acids.
• And best of all, all of this occurs without having to undergo any prior digestive process.
• This prevents disturbing the body, which is already training, unlike “whole” proteins that require digestion.

What happens is that during training, the body undergoes a significant expenditure of energy and massive blood flow to the muscles.

The nervous and immune systems are greatly affected, while stress hormones become involved and an acute inflammatory state develops.

This situation is not at all conducive to introducing foods or nutrients that compromise the digestive tract.

However, it is necessary to place the body in a state of recovery and ensure that you have everything necessary to do so.

Synthesizing new proteins, restoring glycogen, rehydrating, etc.

This is where hydrolyzed casein protein, subjected to this specific enzymatic hydrolysis process, comes into play.

This makes amino acids fully available, resulting in powerful protein synthesis and better muscle recovery.

Why take a hydrolyzed casein protein

Returning to the basics, muscle growth is based on maximizing the maintenance of a positive nitrogen retention state

And everything revolves around this, since optimizing the periods before, during, and after training are “drivers” of hypertrophy.

Muscles are damaged during training, stress is created, and a hormonal and metabolic environment causes muscle catabolism.

This can be quickly reversed with the help of rapidly digestible proteins with high bioavailability and nitrogen-retention capacity.

This can obviously be achieved with a very high-quality and effective supplement such as hydrolyzed casein protein.

How to use hydrolyzed casein protein

Without a doubt, nighttime is a critical time for everyone, because you need to eat to continue protein synthesis, but in the case of this supplement specifically for intense physical activity, the following is suggested:

• If you are a beginner, take 5–10 g of the hydrolysate during and/or after training.
• Advanced / expert (over 90 kg): 15–30 g during and/or after training.

Conclusions about hydrolyzed casein

A protein hydrolysate refers to a protein that has been partially digested or “hydrolyzed”; therefore, it is more expensive but more effective.

This process involves adding proteolytic enzymes, which break down the proteins, or heating a protein with acid.

Both mimic the digestion process and result in intact proteins breaking down into individual amino acids and small chains of amino acid peptides.

Traditional (intact) casein provides a slow and steady increase in amino acid levels.

It does not produce a pronounced increase in levels, which is why it is considered “anticatabolic.”

On the other hand, hydrolyzed casein has been shown to initiate a prominent spike in amino acid levels similar to whey protein while maintaining elevated amino acid levels over the following hours, like traditional casein [1]

Even more impressively, a study published in Pharmacological Reviews found a 30% greater increase in muscle protein synthesis over a six-hour period when subjects consumed casein hydrolysate compared with intact casein. [2]

If you’re still unsure based on whether to use whey protein or casein, we invite you to watch the following video prepared by MASmusculo.