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Nutritional Influences on
Muscular Development and Fat Metabolism
by J.E. Grogan for Show Feeds, Inc.™

Page 5 of 8
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Testosterone:
Testosterone is the major male sex hormone. It is essential for reproduction, the maintenance of the male organs and the male sex characteristics. Testosterone also stimulates growth - especially muscle mass and activates the metabolism of the muscles, liver and kidney.

Testosterone can increase the uptake of amino acids into muscle tissue and can speed up the process of fat burning. Testosterone affects nuclear DNA. This produces new RNA followed by new enzymes and new proteins which generate cellular changes for growth and development. Testosterone's chief synergists are GH, insulin and the minerals zinc and cobalt, also the vitamins A, E, C, folic acid, B-complex and vitamin D.

Diets with less than optimal amounts of proteins and vitamin B-complex can especially reduce the beneficial effects of testosterone in increasing muscle mass or muscle building. This decreases the lean to fat ratio - a highly undesirable characteristic.

The testes produce and release testosterone. Maintaining healthy testes function is paramount for the benefits of healthy testosterone synthesis and release. The use of specific amino acid combinations some organ specific concentrates and other plant based substances can have a strong influence on testes health for a balanced testosterone production and release to maximize the metabolic advantages of testosterone.

Proteins and Amino Acids:
In the body after water the largest percentage of tissue composition is protein. Body proteins are broken down and rebuilt constantly in the processes of normal metabolism. In some animals up to 98% of the body's tissue are completely replaced each year. In essence the present day body has been built almost entirely from the diet (in non-ruminants) and high quality MCP (in ruminants) over the most recent several months.

In non-ruminants if the proteins consumed are of poor quality then all the structures of the body will also have a diminished quality. For a highly efficient high quality body proteins the dietary proteins have to be of superior quality. The quantity of protein should be adequate to maintain a positive nitrogen balance. The higher the exercise or activity levels the higher the protein requirements will be to stay in positive balance. Very intense exercise when combined with optimal protein intake can increase muscle weight significantly.

However keep in mind that protein does not by itself stimulate growth. It provides the raw material for the muscle building process. An excess of protein will be stored as body fat and can generate toxic ammonia. Ammonia then is converted to urea which is less toxic and eliminated by the kidneys. If protein is over consumed the kidneys can be stressed and cause a drop in energy levels.

Most of the protein's amino acids can be synthesized by the body. However, the ten essential amino acids that cannot be made must be ingested through high quality dietary proteins. The essential amino acids are:

1. Isoleucine

2. Leucine

3. Lysine

4. Methionine

5. Phenylalanine

6. Threonine

7. Tryptophan

8. Valine

9. Histidine

10. Arginine

The degree to which food stuffs supply the essential amino acids in proper balance dictates the biological value of the protein. The primary high biological value food stuffs are dairy, egg and meat proteins. High quality protein hydrolysates (predigested to a combination of single amino acids, di - and tri - peptides) are much better absorbed and utilized than either intact proteins or single amino acid combinations. Ultimately this means a more efficient method of increasing and protecting lean mass.

In the ruminant the generation of microbial crude protein (MCP) can be the predominant source of nitrogen. About 40% of the non-ammonia-nitrogen getting getting to the small intestines comes from MCP if the ruminant is on a high protein diet. That percentage can go to 60% with a low protein diet and up to 100% when the diets are relying on purified non-protein nitrogen supplements. The amount of MCP is usually limited by the amount of essential microbial nutrients available or the energy available for microbial growth. The biological value of MCP is excellent. Dietary proteins can have little impact on the ultimate protein quality or quantity that reached the ruminant small intestine. However amino acid synthesis by rumen microbes is insufficient to meet the essential amino acid requirements during rapid growth, excessive stress, and the high production requirements of domestic ruminants. Performance levels can be increased by the use of rumen protected amino acids to maximize delivery tot he small intestine and then to the target tissues based on need.

To prevent amino acid degradation in the rumen "protected" amino acid formulations can have significant benefits metabolically. By making higher levels of certain amino acids available to the tissue, higher levels of biologically significant amino acid based compounds can be synthesized or utilized. Of special significance are the rumen protected amino acids lysine and methionine. If a higher percentage of these two amino acids reach the small intestines an increase in key peptides can be achieved.

Through high biological value dietary proteins, protein hydrolysates, and in ruminants, MCP and specific protected amino acids an abundant supply of metabolically active amino acids will be provided.

Certain single amino acids have special benefit in building lean mass and reducing body fat. The first is a group of three amino acids, the branched - chain amino acids - leucine, isoleucine and valine. These amino acids make up a full 1/3rd of muscle protein. During exercise they are used up rapidly. They can also increase protein synthesis and prevent muscle proteins from breaking down. They may also prevent testosterone levels from falling during exercise and increase testosterone levels after training.

The amino acid glycine can increase muscular function by making available more immediate muscular energy. The rate of glycogen release from the liver to supply carbohydrate based energy from the breakdown of glycogen to glucose is enhanced by glycine. The amino acids arginine and ornithine have similar metabolic properties. Both are also very effective detoxifiers of ammonia - a toxic by product of protein and amino acid metabolism. Improved immune function, an increased ability for muscular contraction, improved recovery from stress and an increased capillary blood flow are also benefits of arginine and ornithine.

The amino acids lysine and methionine have importance in reducing free radical stress and in stepping up the fat burning rate. This combination supplies methyl groups, increases the synthesis of fat burning compounds, detoxifies the system of metabolic waste and environmental toxins and prevents the formation of fat buildup in the liver.

High quality protein hyrolysates yielding a high percentage of peptides have the ability to increase positive nitrogen balance, facilitate protein synthesis and maintain a normal, healthy immune function. These effects, especially the first two, will have a major benefit in maintaining and increasing a high lean mass to body fat ratio.

A balanced amount of glutamine is also important. Glutamine is the most abundant amino acid in muscle and is a main transporter of nitrogen waste. A strong relationship exists between glutamine and the branched chain amino acids to prevent muscle breakdown and support muscle growth.