BLG vs Whey: Same Muscle Growth, Better Amino Absorption
The Effect of Leucine-Enriched β-Lactoglobulin Versus an Isonitrogenous Whey Protein Isolate on Skeletal Muscle Protein Anabolism in Young Healthy Males
Not medical advice. For informational purposes only. Always consult a healthcare professional. Terms
Surprising Findings
Higher amino acid levels didn't improve muscle growth
Leucine is widely considered the 'key trigger' for muscle protein synthesis, but this study shows higher leucine bioavailability didn't translate to better results.
Practical Takeaways
Choose standard whey protein over specialized BLG products for cost-effective muscle growth
Not medical advice. For informational purposes only. Always consult a healthcare professional. Terms
Surprising Findings
Higher amino acid levels didn't improve muscle growth
Leucine is widely considered the 'key trigger' for muscle protein synthesis, but this study shows higher leucine bioavailability didn't translate to better results.
Practical Takeaways
Choose standard whey protein over specialized BLG products for cost-effective muscle growth
Publication
Journal
Nutrients
Year
2025
Authors
Isabel A. Ely, Melanie Paul, J. Wall, Jake Cox, Mads S. Larsen, Paula J. Scaife, Jonathan N. Lund, Leigh Breen, D. Wilkinson, Kenneth Smith, B. Phillips, P. Atherton
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Claims (6)
Young men who drank a β-lactoglobulin protein shake had higher blood leucine levels over time than those who drank regular whey protein, but their muscles built protein at the same rate.
When young men consumed β-lactoglobulin, their blood leucine levels peaked higher than when they consumed regular whey protein.
Young men who drank β-lactoglobulin had higher levels of branched-chain and essential amino acids in their blood over time compared to those who drank regular whey protein.
Both types of protein shakes boosted muscle protein building similarly in young men, whether they were resting or exercising after drinking them.
Even though these protein shakes had less amino acids than previously thought necessary, they still effectively boosted muscle protein building in young men.