Does adding fat/oil to whey REALLY slow down digestion?

[xonic2xonic2]

What is the reason/evidence for the suggestion that adding something like flax oil to whey powder will slow down it's digestion?

Thanks!

 

[Bulldog_10]

I don't think it's actually true. I think the reason people say this is because if you add fat to a meal, it will slow the digestion of the WHOLE MEAL. Key point being the whole meal.

It's like if there's a slow runner in a marathon. The whole marathon will take longer because he's running, but that doesn't change the time that the winner runs.

Fat is digested slower than carbs and protein...so fats are like the slow marathoner. They extend the duration of digestion of the meal...but don't change the speed of digestion of the rest of the meal.

 

[T2O]

I have heard flax oil and other oils can "coat" the stomach slowing down the digestion of many things. I have also heard mixing whey with milk will do the same thing because milk coats the stomach also. After a work out I only take whey with water. Before I go to bed I take it with milk and sometimes with flax oil to help ensure a slower release and more consistent release over night.

 

[slash747]

it would make sense to drink / eat the oil prior to youre protein then right?

 

[Bulldog_10]

it would make sense to drink / eat the oil prior to youre protein then right?

I suppose that could work...but I don't think it makes a difference either way. Just something supplement companies say to sell their product IMO.

I mean, just think about it...how much time could it actually delay the digestion of your protein...not very long. My guess would be a few minutes...tops.

 

[GoldenDelicious]

it slows down gastric emptying. (ie food being pumped from your stomach into your intestine)

yes its true, and fat being in the whole meal is the way to do it (NOT taking fat before the meal)

although i have been thinking about this lately and i have thought that using a drug which slows down gastric emptying (anti motility agents) might be really really useful with a bedtime shake)

cheers

 

[Slyder190]

Bulldog you bring up some interesting ways to look at things, but I must disagree for the fact that if you add fat or protein to carb meals, it lowers the glycemic index somewhat.

 

[Deleted member 33117]

Slyder is correct on this one. Fat slows down the absorbsion of both protien and carbs, and definately lowers their glycemic index (we all knew protien has a GI didn't we?). This is why high fat foods such as pizza and ice cream (if you get the full fat varity) actually have lower glycemic indexes than say brown rice or whole wheat bread, dispite having highly refinced carbs in them. If one is trying to slow down the absorbsion of whey, don't waste your time. Use it post workout and eat steak when trying to get slower absorbsion.

 

[Bulldog_10]

Bulldog you bring up some interesting ways to look at things, but I must disagree for the fact that if you add fat or protein to carb meals, it lowers the glycemic index somewhat.

Interesting. I didn't really think of it that way. Not sure if that changes my mind though...definitely makes me think though.

 

[drveejay11]

Slyder is correct on this one. Fat slows down the absorbsion of both protien and carbs, and definately lowers their glycemic index (we all knew protien has a GI didn't we?). This is why high fat foods such as pizza and ice cream (if you get the full fat varity) actually have lower glycemic indexes than say brown rice or whole wheat bread, dispite having highly refinced carbs in them. If one is trying to slow down the absorbsion of whey, don't waste your time. Use it post workout and eat steak when trying to get slower absorbsion.

Gastric emptying and Glycemic Response (post-prandial Insulin release) are two entirely different things. I tend to agree with Bulldog: The speculation that eating oils/fats with P-shakes slows breakdown is incorrect....and actually, the "marathon" analogy presented here by BD was an excellent one IMO! Good stuff Bulldog.

All this talk about delaying protein breakdown by adding fats/oils is over-played, incorrect and should be abandoned IMO!