When do I use protein powder for muscle gain?

The use of protein powder for muscle gain should go hand in hand with your workouts. Generally, consuming protein directly after a workout is the most effective time to boost your protein levels. This is when your body needs amino acids to build new muscle fibers.

The exception to this is casein protein powder, which is ideally taken before bed. While it’s not so effective for muscle gain, it does reduce muscle breakdown while you sleep. Casein digests very slowly and it can take 6 or 7 hours to digest. This allows for a constant slow supply of amino acids during your sleep which reduces muscle breakdown.