Protein vs. Cassein

[Kates310]

I know this should probably be in the supplements section but Im doing NROL4W and have been mostly posting in this section and always getting good feedback. So.... the question is whats the importance of Cassein. I drink whey shakes regularly and usually get Optimum Nutrition. They have a deal going on right now called the 24 pak. It includes 2 lbs of 100% Whey and 2lbs of Cassein and a shaker cup with the option of vanilla or chocolate. Its pretty expensive straight from the Optimum Nutrition site but its half price on DPSNutrition.com. I was wondering if its worth the money. Obviously I will use the whey... but Ive never had Cassein. Is there any signifigance to using it? Has anyone had the Optimum Nutrition brands Cassein? If so how well does it blend/taste?

[allenkt]

I'm sure someone else will elaborate on this but the basic difference between whey and casein is that whey is absorbed quickly while casein is a slower acting protein. So people drink whey in the morning when they want to get some protein in the body quickly and drink casein at night because they want the protein to last longer while they sleep.

I've also heard that casein either doesn't usually taste as well or doesn't mix as well but I don't know about that one because I always just use Biotest Metabolic Drive which is a casein protein that tastes great (in my opinion).

Karl

[feralBoy]

I think casein is the curds part of curds and whey. Milk protein is 80% casein, and 20% whey. so casein is basically cheese. I've never had casein protein mix, but I try to eat cottage cheese at night, for the reasons stated above.

I'm pretty sure both casein and whey are important in a diet, but casein is much easier to get naturally, i.e. milk, cheese.

[RobLL]

And the great advantage of whey is that it is cheap, because it is what is left when they make cheese.

[sg516]

ok, i have been wondering about this too. and i have a couple of things that might come across as dumb but i figure if i never ask then i will never know and then i will be dumb for much longer. if you catch my meaning.

i have not been lifting for long and since i started i have been using whey protein. a serving before and a serving after, each serving is 21g protein. so from what i understand the whey protein helps repair the muscle and since it metabolizes faster it is great as a post workout protein. but if you are taking half of your protein before and half after (like i am) would casein be a good pre workout protein? or is whey still preferred?

also, i have always been told not to eat before bed but it seems from what i am reading that casein is good before bed and it is common practice to have it then. so what is the difference between eating before bed and drinking a slow acting protein?