Faster, higher and stronger — the athletes and the nutrients they use to fuel their bodies need to be just that. These highly sought-after nutrients come in the form of proteins and minerals.

Why do athletes, like the Olympians, professionals and amateurs we root for need all the protein and minerals they can get? Two reasons,

1. Muscle mass
2. Bone mass

During strenuous exercise, muscle tissue is damaged. These damages are known as micro-tears or muscle breakdown. The body works to repair these damages with the help of available protein. If there is sufficient protein available, the body can synthesize and convert it into increased muscle mass.

Along with muscle mass, bone mass is also of concern to the athlete. If muscle mass increases, bone mass to support those muscles must also increase. When muscles contract during exercise, bones are strained, this strain ultimately causes increased density.

So, how much protein is “sufficient” for an athlete? The majority of experts agree that a hard-working athlete needs 1.2 to 2.0 grams of protein per day per kilogram of ideal body weight to maintain and/or increase muscle tissue strength and size (International Journal of Sport Nutrition, Journal of Sport Sciences, and Sports Medicine).

To give a better idea of what this means, a 200-pound athlete would need to consume 110 to 180 grams of protein every day just to maintain muscle tissue.

Finding creative and savory solutions that meet protein needs of 180 grams per day would be an arduous task if it were not for high proteins ingredients such as Milk Protein Concentrate (MPC).

With Idaho Milk Products’ IdaPro® Milk Proteins, formulators can create new and exciting products so athletes can consume high levels of protein and not only maintain muscle and bone mass, but increase it. The whey and casein proteins found in MPC complement each other with their contrasting fast and slow digestion rates. Along with whey and casein proteins, minerals in Milk Proteins help build stronger bones. The result is prolonged muscle protein synthesis and increased bone mass.

Whether it’s added to applications designed for the breakfast of champions or in other snacks or drinks throughout the day, Idaho Milk Products’ Milk Proteins earn the gold medal of approval for all athletes looking to build their competitive strength.