Project Medishare Blog

Dedicated to improving health in Haiti

As some of you may be aware, clearing customs in Haiti is not the easiest of tasks. We have unfortunately had everything from medical supplies, medication, and ambulances to even protein drinks held up in customs after successfully departing the United States. That being said, we are very happy to report that the over 1,000 cases of EB Performance protein drink finally cleared customs!

 

 

Pediatric Patient at Hospital Bernard Mevs Project Medishare drinking EB Performance Whey Juice

The much-needed EB Performance Whey Juice protein drinks are currently being distributed at Hospital Bernard Mevs Project Medishare to the patients who so desperately need hydration. This generous donation of the protein drinks was made through our partnership with Dr. Nathan Feldman and Mr. Daniel Schapiro, Co-Founders of EB Performance, LLC.

 

 

Project Medishare patient drinking an EB Performance drink at Hospital Bernard Mevs

Thank you to Dr. Nathan Feldman, Mr. Daniel Schapiro and EB Performance, LLC for making this possible!

Physical Performance
Whey protein has long been considered the “Gold Standard” of protein for serious athletes who work hard to develop and sustain a lean, strong and well-defined physique. Research studies support this belief. Athletes need more protein in their diet, often as much as twice the recommended daily allowance. The protein they choose makes a difference and here are several reasons why whey protein is a preferred choice for athletes of all types.

• Whey protein is a naturally complete protein, meaning that it contains all of the essential amino acids required in the daily diet. It has the ideal combination of amino acids to help improve body composition and enhance athletic performance.
• Whey protein is a rich source of branched chain amino acids (BCAAs), containing the highest known levels of any natural food source. BCAAs are important for athletes since unlike the other essential amino acids, they are metabolized directly into muscle tissue and are the first ones used during periods of exercise and resistance training. Whey protein provides the body with BCAAs to replenish depleted levels and start repairing and rebuilding lean muscle tissue.
• Whey protein is an excellent source of the essential amino acid, leucine. Leucine is important for athletes as it plays a key role in promoting muscle protein synthesis and muscle growth. Research has shown that individuals who exercise benefit from diets high in leucine and have more lean muscle tissue and less body fat compared to individuals whose diet contains lower levels of leucine. Whey protein isolate has approximately 50% more leucine than soy protein isolate.
• Whey protein is a soluble, easy to digest protein and is efficiently absorbed into the body. It is often referred to as a “fast” protein for its ability to quickly provide nourishment to muscles.
• Whey protein helps athletes maintain a healthy immune system by increasing the levels of glutathione in the body. Glutathione is an anti-oxidant required for a healthy immune system and exercise and resistance training may reduce glutathione levels. Whey protein helps keep athletes healthy and strong to perform their best.

Weight Management
Studies show that achieving and maintaining a healthy weight can add years to your life and help prevent weight related complications, including diabetes, cancer, and heart disease. Diet plays a key role in any weight management program and adding whey protein often helps make a positive difference. Here are some of the reasons why.

• The body requires more energy to digest protein than other foods (thermic effect) and as a result you burn more calories after a protein meal.
• Whey protein isolate is pure protein with little to no fat or carbohydrates. It is a perfect complement to any low carbohydrate or low glycemic index diet plan.
• Recent studies by Dr. Donald Layman, a professor at the University of Illinois, have highlighted the role of the essential amino acid leucine in improving body composition. High quality whey protein is rich in leucine to help preserve lean muscle tissue while promoting fat loss. Whey protein contains more leucine than milk protein, egg protein and soy protein.
• Protein helps to stabilize blood glucose levels by slowing the absorption of glucose into the bloodstream. This in turn reduces hunger by lowering insulin levels and making it easier for the body to burn fat.
• Whey protein contains bioactive components that help stimulate the release of two appetite-suppressing hormones: cholecystokinin (CCK) and glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1). In support of this, a new study found that whey protein had a greater impact on satiety than casein, the other protein in milk. Adding whey protein to a mid-day snack or beverage provides healthy energy and may help control food intake at the next meal.

Cardiovascular Health
In 2001 heart disease was the leading cause of death in the United States for both men and women. With the average life expectancy rising each year, it becomes increasingly important to adopt a nutritious diet and regular exercise program to help maintain a healthy cardiovascular system. Whey protein should be part of that nutritious diet.

Cancer
Cancer patients undergoing radiation or chemotherapy often have difficulty in meeting their daily nutritional requirements due to nausea and lack of appetite. This may lead to weight loss, muscle loss and protein calorie malnutrition. Whey protein is an excellent protein choice for cancer patients as it is very easy to digest and very gentle to the system. Whey protein may be added to a wide variety of foods and beverages to increase the protein content without affecting taste.

As with serious athletes, cancer patients often have reduced glutathione levels and a weakened immune system. Numerous studies have shown that whey protein, rich in the amino acid cysteine, provides an extra boost to the immune system by raising glutathione levels. This may help reduce the risk of infection and improve the responsiveness of the immune system. In support of this, at the 2003 Annual Meeting of the American Cancer Society, research was presented showing that women with the highest levels of plasma cysteine had a 56% reduction in the risk of breast cancer compared to individuals with the lowest levels of plasma cysteine.

Whey protein has been shown through animal and in vitro studies to inhibit the growth of several types of cancer tumors. Dr. Thomas Badger, head of the Arkansas Children’s Nutrition Center in Little Rock, found that feeding rats whey protein resulted in their developing 50% fewer tumors than rats fed casein. The rats fed whey protein also developed fewer tumors than rats fed soy protein and the tumors took longer to develop.

Diabetes
Type 2 diabetes is a growing health problem, largely in part to the continued rise in obesity. It is not unique to adults and is becoming more of a concern for children and teenagers. The good news is that healthy nutrition practices have been shown to play a role in helping to manage, and possibly prevent, the onset of type-2 diabetes. Whey protein, a high quality, high biological value protein, is a good choice for diabetics who need to carefully manage food intake. Whey protein provides more value than equal amounts of lower quality proteins that are often higher in fat and cholesterol. In addition, whey protein helps control blood glucose levels and has been shown to be beneficial for weight management, both of which are often a concern for type-2 diabetics.

Infant Nutrition
Whey protein contains many of the same components found in human breast milk and for this reason, is a key ingredient in a wide variety of infant formulas, including those for premature infants. Certain types of whey protein based infant formulas have also been shown to help reduce crying in colicky infants. While breast-feeding is preferred, infant formulas containing whey protein are the next best thing when breast-feeding is not an option. In addition, whey protein is an excellent protein choice for the expectant mother who needs increased amounts of protein. Pregnancy can increase the body’s protein needs by up to 33%. Before making any changes to their diet, it is recommended that expectant mothers consult with a physician to determine their unique protein needs.

Healthy Aging
The U.S. Census Bureau estimates that by the year 2020 approximately one out of every six Americans will be in the in the 65 and older age group. As we age, muscle loss and its negative health implications is a growing concern, both in terms of volume and medical costs. Good nutrition and adequate amounts of high quality whey protein may help maintain strong muscles during aging, especially when combined with an exercise and resistance training program. A recent study in Europe compared whey protein to casein, the primary protein in milk. They found that older men who consumed whey protein showed greater protein synthesis, or growth, which helped limit muscle loss over time.

Another benefit of whey protein for seniors is the ability to help prevent bone loss. A recent study conducted at Boston University showed that elderly individuals who consumed low levels of protein had a significant loss of bone density four years after the start of the study, especially in the hip and spine areas. A nutritious diet including whey protein may help keep bones and muscles healthy and strong.

Wound Healing
When the body is working to heal wounds and surgical incisions it requires increased amounts of protein. Protein and its amino acids are the building blocks that initiate the growth of new skin during the healing process. Inadequate amounts of protein or diets high in poor quality proteins, such as gelatin, may delay the healing process. Whey protein is a very high quality protein and is often the preferred choice for high protein products recommended by physicians following surgery or burn therapy.

Whey protein also contains components with protective anti-microbial properties, such as lactoferrin. In recent years companies have introduced mouthwashes and oral care products containing these protective whey protein components. The companies are taking advantage of the unique features of whey protein to create new products for diabetics and others sensitive to oral irritations. This area is expected to evolve in the future

® Whey Protein Institute

Check out EB Performance Protein Bars!

In many cases, products will have more than one kind of whey ingredient.

© America’s Dairy Farmers®

EB Performance uses whey protein in their protein bars!

What are the benefits of whey protein?
Whey protein consumption can increase production, or synthesis, of muscle protein, which may improve body composition in combination with exercise.

Why is whey protein good for athletes and people who exercise?
Research shows that consuming a high-quality protein such as whey protein in combination with resistance exercise can boost the rate at which the body makes lean muscle mass and may improve body composition. In fact, a combination of protein intake and resistance exercise yields better results compared to having either of the two alone or combining resistance training with drinking a beverage that contains only carbohydrates.

Can people who are lactose intolerant eat whey protein?
Whey protein isolate, with 90%-plus protein and less than 1% lactose, and whey protein concentrate 80, with 80% protein and less than 4% lactose, are purified forms of whey protein that are unlikely to pose problems for someone with lactose intolerance.

What are essential and non-essential amino acids?
The body is able to make non-essential amino acids from other amino acids in the body. The body, however, is not able to make essential amino acids; the only way to get them is through diet. One of the best ways to ensure you are meeting your needs is by eating high-quality protein foods. Protein sources that contain all of the essential amino acids are called complete proteins. Whey protein is a naturally complete protein.

How much whey protein is needed to stimulate protein synthesis?
Research shows that consuming at least 20g of whey protein following resistance exercise results in an increase in muscle protein synthesis in healthy adults.

Does the addition of whey protein to a food or beverage change its taste?
Whey protein has a fresh, neutral taste and will not usually change the flavor of the foods to which it is added.

What products contain whey protein?
Whey protein can be found in almost every food and beverage aisle of the supermarket. A natural component of cow’s milk and yogurt, whey protein is also found in sports nutrition products, such as drinks, energy bars and powdered mixes for smoothies and shakes. Meal replacements, baked goods, snacks and entrées also may contain whey protein. See a typical nutrition bar ingredient list.

© America’s Dairy Farmers®

Check out EB Performance protein bars!

Below are summaries of recent studies that explain the body composition benefits of whey protein.

Whey protein is one of the best sources of branched-chain amino acids (BCAAs), including leucine, which has been shown to independently stimulate muscle protein synthesis in combination with exercise

This review article shares data from the USDA Food Composition Tables that show dairy products are rich sources of BCAAs and whey protein isolate is a leading source of leucine. The author cites several studies that give increasing evidence that BCAAs, specifically leucine, have a unique effect on metabolism that includes regulation of muscle protein synthesis and glucose homeostasis. The impact of BCAAs is proportional to availability and dietary intake.

Layman DK. The role of leucine in weight loss diets and glucose homeostasis. Journal of Nutrition. 2003;133:261S-267S.

Consuming whey protein after resistance exercise can stimulate protein synthesis

Ingestion of amino acids stimulates protein synthesis and results in a positive net muscle protein balance. Tipton and colleagues investigated whether consumption of casein or whey proteins have a similar beneficial effect following resistance exercise. Healthy untrained young men and women volunteers were randomly assigned to receive a drink containing either (1) 20g casein (N=7), (2) 20g whey protein (N=9) or (3) placebo (N=7) one hour after performing a bout of resistance training. Leg muscle biopsies were taken to measure net muscle protein balance. Consumption of both casein and whey proteins were found to bring about a similar positive net muscle protein balance, indicating that whole protein consumption can stimulate muscle protein synthesis after resistance exercise which over time may lead to increased muscle size and strength.

Tipton K, Elliott T, Cree M, Wolf S, Sanford A, Wolfe R. Ingestion of casein and whey proteins result in muscle anabolism after resistance exercise. Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise. 2004;36(12):2073-2081.

Consumption of fluid skim milk promotes greater muscle protein accretion after resistance exercise than does consumption of an isonitrogenous and isoenergetic soy-protein beverage

This study examined the effect of consuming a milk or soy beverage on rates of whole body and muscle protein turnover and leucine oxidation following resistance training in eight young men who regularly participated in weight lifting activities. Volunteers drank fluid milk or a soy protein beverage after a bout of weight lifting. The drinks were made from isolated soy protein or nonfat milk powder and were equal in protein (18.2g), carbohydrate (23g), fat (1.5g) and caloric (178cal) content. Results indicate that consuming a protein beverage (soy or milk) following a bout of weight lifting resulted in a positive net muscle protein balance and more muscle protein synthesis. Milk consumption after exercise resulted in a greater net muscle protein balance, and 34 percent more muscle protein synthesis compared to soy. The researchers also hypothesized that a combination of “slow” and “fast” proteins like casein and whey, both found in cow’s milk, would be most effective for building muscle.

Wilkinson S, Tarnopolsky M, MacDonald M, MacDonald J, Armstrong D, Phillips S. American Journal of Clinical Nutrition. 2007;85:1031–40.

Ingesting whey protein with or without creatine after resistance exercise results in greater gains in muscle mass and knee extension strength compared to carbohydrate

Burke and colleagues tested the effects of whey protein supplementation, both with and without creatine monohydrate, combined with resistance training on muscle mass and strength. Thirty-six healthy, resistance trained males were randomly placed into one of three groups receiving supplementation* of: (1) whey protein and creatine, (2) whey protein or (3) carbohydrate placebo during six weeks of resistance training using a 4-day split routine. Males receiving whey protein (with or without creatine) had greater improvements in muscle mass and knee extension peak torque compared to those receiving a carbohydrate placebo during the six-week training program. Additionally, subjects that supplemented with whey protein and creatine had greater increases in muscle mass and bench press than the other groups. However, other measures of muscular strength such as squat strength and knee flexion peak torque were not influenced by supplementation. In conclusion, whey protein consumption during resistance training may provide some benefits over resistance training alone.

*Whey protein or carbohydrate was given at 1.2g/kg body weight/day and if applicable, creatine was given at 0.1g/kg body weight/day.

Burke D, Chilibeck P, Davison K, Candow D, Farthing J, Smith-Palmer T. The effect of whey protein supplementation with and without creatine monohydrate combined with resistance training on lean tissue mass and muscle strength. International Journal of Sport Nutrition and Exercise Metabolism. 2001;11(3):349-364.

Creatine and whey protein together increase muscle fiber size and muscle strength

Researchers from Victoria University and the University of Tasmania in Australia examined the impact of resistance exercise training and nutritional supplementation on body composition, muscle fiber size and contractile protein content, and muscle strength in a group of resistance-trained men. Twenty-six volunteers were randomly placed into one of four groups receiving supplementation* of: (1) creatine/whey protein, (2) creatine/carbohydrate, (3) whey protein only or (4) carbohydrate only. Results showed that all subjects experienced a significant increase in lean body mass following the 11-weeks of training, with the creatine/carbohydrate group experiencing a significant increase in lean body mass as compared to the carbohydrate only group. Furthermore, the creatine/carbohydrate and creatine/whey protein groups experienced greater gains in muscle fiber size compared to carbohydrate alone, while creatine/carbohydrate, creatine/whey protein and whey protein alone experienced greater gains in contractile protein content and muscle strength compared to carbohydrate only. Supplementation with whey protein with or without creatine, or creatine with carbohydrate may be more effective than carbohydrate alone in eliciting the changes in muscle size and strength that accompany routine resistance training.

*Supplements were given at 1.5g/kg body weight/day and if applicable, creatine was given at 0.1-0.3g/kg body weight/day depending on the phase of the study. Whey supplements contained 85% protein and contained minimal amounts of carbohydrate and fat, whereas the carbohydrate supplements contained only carbohydrates.

Cribb P, Williams A, Stathis C, Carey M, Hayes A. Effects of whey isolate, creatine, and resistance training on muscle hypertrophy. Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise. 2007;39(2):298–307.

Whey protein isolate, not casein, improves strength and body composition

Cribb et al. found that whey protein isolate has a greater ability to enhance the changes in body composition and strength that accompany routine resistance exercise compared to casein. In this 12-week, double-blind study, 13 male recreational body builders supplemented* their normal diet with one of two proteins: hydrolyzed whey isolate or casein. Researchers examined the effects of protein supplementation consumed throughout the day, on strength, body composition and glutamine levels in the blood before and after a 3 days/week, 10-week resistance-training program. Results of the study indicate that the hydrolyzed whey protein isolate group achieved a significant increase in lean body mass and a significant decrease in body fat as compared to pre-training, while the casein group only showed a significant, although smaller, increase in lean body mass. Furthermore, the whey-supplemented group had a significant change in body composition (a combination of increased lean mass and decreased fat mass) as compared to the casein-supplemented group at the end of the training period. Additionally, while all subjects experienced increases in strength following the 10-week training program, the subjects who consumed whey protein showed significantly greater strength improvements in three exercises (squat, barbell bench press and cable pull-down) compared to those who consumed casein. There were no significant effects of either training or supplementation on blood glutamine levels for either group.

*Whey or casein protein was given at 1.5g/kg body weight/day.

Cribb P, Williams A, Carey M, Hayes A. The effect of whey isolate and resistance training on strength, body composition, and plasma glutamine. International Journal of Sport Nutrition and Exercise Metabolism. 2006;16:494–509.

Supplementation with whey protein/creatine/carbohydrate before and after workouts enhances results

In this 10-week, single-blind, randomized study, 17 resistance trained males were matched for strength and placed in one of two groups: (1) a group who consumed a supplement* containing whey protein/creatine/glucose immediately before and after a workout or (2) a group who consumed the same supplement* in the morning before breakfast and late evening each training day. Findings of the study indicate that after 10 weeks of training (4 days/week), supplementation before and after each workout resulted in significantly greater improvements in strength and body composition (increase in lean body mass and decrease in body fat percentage) compared with those who took a supplement in the morning and late evening. The authors conclude a whey protein/creatine/carbohydrate supplement may enhance the desired changes from strength training, when taken immediately before and after a workout session.

*Supplements were provided at 1g/kg body weight/day containing 40% whey protein, 7% creatine and 43% glucose.

Cribb P, Hayes A. Effects of supplement timing and resistance exercise on skeletal muscle hypertrophy. Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise. 2006;38(11):1918–25.

© America’s Dairy Farmers®

Whey protein, a natural high-quality protein derived from milk, is a rich source of branched-chain amino acids (BCAAs), including leucine. Research shows leucine independently stimulates muscle protein synthesis (2,3).

Consuming whey protein in combination with resistance exercise can increase the rate at which the body makes lean muscle and may help improve body composition (4,5). What’s more, combining protein intake and resistance exercise yields better results than either of the two alone (6) or combining a carbohydrate-only beverage with resistance training (7).

Just 20g of whey protein following resistance exercise has been shown to stimulate protein synthesis (8). One nutrition bar or beverage contains 8g to 30g. Start making whey protein a part of your workout routine today.

1. Tipton KD et al. Ingestion of casein and whey proteins result in muscle anabolism after resistance exercise. Med Sci Sports Exerc 36(12): 2073–2081, 2004.
2. Layman DK. The role of leucine in weight loss diets and glucose homeostasis. J Nutr. 261S-267S, 2003.
3. Norton LE and Layman DK. Leucine regulates translation initiation of protein synthesis in skeletal muscle after exercise. J Nutr. 136: 533S-S537, 2006.
4. Burke DG et al. The effect of whey protein supplementation with and without creatine monohydrate combined with resistance training on lean tissue mass and muscle strength. Intl J Sport Nutr Exerc Metab 11(3): 349–64, 2001.
5. Candow DG et al. Effect of whey and soy protein supplementation combined with resistance training in young adults Intl J Sport Nutr Exerc Metab 16: 233-244, 2006.
6. Phillips SM et al. Protein requirements and supplementation in strength sports. Nutrition 20: 689–695, 2004.
7. Candow DG et al. Effect of whey and soy protein supplementation combined with resistance training in young adults. Intl J Sport Nutr Exerc Metab 16: 233-244, 2006.
8. Tipton KD et al. Ingestion of casein and whey proteins result in muscle anabolism after resistance exercise. Med Sci Sports Exerc 36(12): 2073–2081, 2004.

© America’s Dairy Farmers®

Check out EB Performance protein bars!

University of Texas Longhorns, University of Alabama Crimson Tide latest
title contenders to benefit from company’s innovative PB & Whey Protein
Bites®

Deerfield Beach, Fla., Dec. 28, 2009 — When Texas and Alabama square off at the BCS
National Championship Game on January 7, both college football teams will be powered by EB
Performance’s popular PB & Whey Protein Bites®, a delicious peanut butter snack bar packed
with whey protein. The protein bar is also the same product that fueled both the LSU baseball
and the North Carolina men’s basketball teams to their national titles in the past year.

For the last two years, both Texas and Alabama teams have been using the PB & Whey bars.
“We launched the PB & Whey bars to the collegiate community two years ago,” says Dr. Nathan
Feldman, co-founder of EB Performance. “It took off because it uniquely combines great taste
and functionality that could be used before, during, and after practices and even on game day.
EB Performance started with one university, but quickly grew its collegiate presence when word
spread among coaches, team nutritionists and athletes about the benefits of the company’s
product. Other current collegiate programs using EB products include Auburn University,
Florida Atlantic University, SMU, Texas Tech University, University of Florida, University of
Michigan, University of Missouri and University of Nebraska.

“As huge college sports fans, it’s a great feeling when we get a call from a new team that wants
to add our products to their regimen,” says Dan Schapiro, co-founder of EB Performance.
In addition to being used by top collegiate athletic programs, the PB & Whey Protein Bites have
become a top-selling product at Whole Foods Market stores in Florida. EB plans to expand its
presence to other stores throughout the country in 2010.

EB Performance also has a deep development pipeline of innovative products, including its
recently launched Whey JuiceTM, an organically sweetened, premium protein beverage.
The company’s goal is to continually develop and offer the consumer both healthier snack and
beverage alternatives while emphasizing the benefits of whey protein.

Whey protein is considered the highest quality form of protein and contains essential amino
acids that the body requires for good health. In addition, it offers excellent digestibility and
research has shown its ability to support satiety.

They began with curiosity. Then added drive.  They mixed in some dogged ambition.  And blended out the mistakes.

That Daniel Schapiro and Nathan Feldman turned that recipe into a successful business – EB Performance, the protein snack company they started six years ago… view the full article.