Milk Makes Muscles? I thought they only repaired?

[Straight]

My friend says that he has drank milk every day for the past few weeks, and he's become much stronger... But I thought that milk repairs muscle and doesn't actually make more muscle... Who's correct?

[TigerBoy]

My friend says that he has drank milk every day for the past few weeks, and he's become much stronger... But I thought that milk repairs muscle and doesn't actually make more muscle... Who's correct?

Milk contains protein. Protein is used for a whole bunch of things including making antibodies and building muscle.

The only way you'll get stronger from drinking milk is if you combine it with resistance training (eg weight training) which stimulates hypertrophy which is the process where muscles attempt to build more proteins into the fibres.

If you simply drink milk without stimulating your muscles your body will just find another use for it or excrete it.

Muscle 'repair' is not the same thing. Damage to soft tissue is repaired via mechanisms which can use protein to create 'chemical mediators' used in the repair process, but isn't the same as muscle growth or making you stronger.

[Mortal Coil]

Milk contains protein. Protein is used for a whole bunch of things including making antibodies and building muscle.

The only way you'll get stronger from drinking milk is if you combine it with resistance training (eg weight training) which stimulates hypetrophy which is the process where muscles attempt to build more proteins into the fibres.

If you simply drink milk without stimulating your muscles your body will just find another use for it or excrete it.

Muscle 'repair' is not the same thing. Damage to soft tissue is repaired via mechanisms which can use protein to create 'chemical mediators' used in the repair process, but isn't the same as muscle growth or making you stronger.

Essentially this. Milk is not a superfood; it will not be solely responsible for your body building more muscle. However, it is a good source of protein and slow-digesting sugars, helping to maintain a positive nitrogen balance and anabolic environment in your body (that's good.)

[TigerBoy]

(that's good.)

... in moderation, of course. This reminded me to add its quite possible to put on weight by drinking excessive milk and doing insufficient exercise (I remember seeing a very overweight guy on UK's Channel 4 "embarrassing bodies" who was drinking way too much milk).

So OP, if you friend isn't putting in the gym time he'll more likely just end up making himself fat instead :rolleyes:

[Straight]

He's defiantly working out :L But drinking milk does repair muscle faster than sports drinks

[TigerBoy]

He's defiantly working out :L But drinking milk does repair muscle faster than sports drinks

Yep sports drinks are normally about restoring your bodies balance of fluids, not giving you protein. Milks a really good source of protein because you don't have to take on lots of unnecessary calories to get that protein, so I usually drink 2 or 3 pints a day to help top me off.

But remember its not "repair" because its not about fixing damage but about packing that protein into the muscle fibres. More protein = bigger muscle fibres = bigger muscles.

[Straight]

I'm trying to drink more milk, I have drank at least one drink a day since last month...

Is it true that if you have white spots on your fingernails, you dont have enough calcium?

[TigerBoy]

I'm trying to drink more milk, I have drank at least one drink a day since last month...

Is it true that if you have white spots on your fingernails, you dont have enough calcium?

Well maybe - I've heard that too. I have zero white spots on my nails so perhaps its working for me. I'd have to see some real science to be convinced though :P

[Nellerin]

Milk has protein and carbs (lactose.) The protein repairs and "builds" muscles to some extent yes but only when damaged due to stress of working out. Milk does not equal building muscle.

[Zenos]

If you are not lactose intolerate milk should be consumed as part of a balanced diet combined with a good exercsie program

[Human]

Like TigerBoy said - protein is used for a variety of different things. I drink a lot of milk and it definitely helps.

[Jackerlus]

Well maybe - I've heard that too. I have zero white spots on my nails so perhaps its working for me. I'd have to see some real science to be convinced though :P

If its true then I'm doing fine, probably because I eat so much breakfast cereal with milk xD

[Volcom]

I'm trying to drink more milk, I have drank at least one drink a day since last month...

Is it true that if you have white spots on your fingernails, you dont have enough calcium?

If you have white spots on your nails it has no connection to calcium. It's caused by a medical condition called leukonychia and its harmless so its fine

[Zenos]

If you have white spots on your nails it has no connection to calcium. It's caused by a medical condition called leukonychia and its harmless so its fine

leukonychia? sounds painful! Any cure for it other then going to a doctor?

[Volcom]

leukonychia? sounds painful! Any cure for it other then going to a doctor?

haha its not painful at all..i mean like i have it and i didnt even know that there was anything wrong until i read this post..i looked it up and every website said that it was that haha..i honestly have no idea if there even is a cure for it..its not like its harmful or anything

[Human]

Milk contains protein. Protein is used for a whole bunch of things including making antibodies and building muscle.

The only way you'll get stronger from drinking milk is if you combine it with resistance training (eg weight training) which stimulates hypertrophy which is the process where muscles attempt to build more proteins into the fibres.

If you simply drink milk without stimulating your muscles your body will just find another use for it or excrete it.

Muscle 'repair' is not the same thing. Damage to soft tissue is repaired via mechanisms which can use protein to create 'chemical mediators' used in the repair process, but isn't the same as muscle growth or making you stronger.
This
Protein helps repair muscles and builds muscle, but you still need to do exercise to build muscle. If you lift and then don't take protein, you'll see less gains than if you lifted then drank milk or took in protein.

[Scarface]

If you really want to get technical, milk is a non essential part to your day. As much as school promotes it or whatever, vitamins and especially protein can be gained through so many other sources. I don't even drink milk, I drink almond milk, because it has more protein in it and its actually better for you than drinking milk. When I did drink milk I drank fat free, only because the fat content in Vitamin D is so unnecessary and technically does no better than consuming a protein bar of some kind, hell even vegetables contain protein and are a lot easier on your stomach as well. Sports drink contain wayy too much salt, unless you get sodium free of course or vitamin water. Granted they carry "some electrolytes" it's basically artificially flavored and colored, salt water. Which in my opinion isn't all that "revitalizing".