...Muscle degradation begins very quickly...
No, it does not. While post-training fraction rate will be increased, intra-workout muscle degradation has
not been shown to occur with fasted training. The following study [full-text available here:
http://www.pubmedcentral.nih.gov/articlerender.fcgi?artid=1474760] did not show an impaired muscle protein synthesis rate, nor a breakdown of muscle tissue. They do, however, suggest amino acid intake to increase
post-training MPS. I think you feel that pre-training is the time for muscle-sparing supplements, when intra/post-training is actually the most opportune time!
J Physiol. 2005 October 1; 568(Pt 1): 283–290.
Published online 2005 July 28. doi: 10.1113/jphysiol.2005.093708.
PMCID: PMC1474760
Fasted-state skeletal muscle protein synthesis after resistance exercise is altered with training
Paul L Kim et al
The purpose of the present investigation was to determine how fasted-state protein synthesis was affected, acutely, by resistance training. Eight men (24.8 ± 1.7 years, body mass index = 23.2 ± 1.0 kg m−2; means ± s.e.m.) undertook an 8 week programme of unilateral resistance exercise training (3 sessions week−1, progression from two to four sets; intensity was 80% of the subjects' single repetition maximum (1RM): knee extension and leg press). Following training, subjects underwent two primed constant infusions of l-[ring-13C6]phenylalanine to determine mixed and myofibrillar muscle protein synthesis (MPS) at rest and 12 h after an acute bout of resistance exercise at the same exercise intensity – each leg 80% of 1RM. Biopsies (vastus lateralis) were taken to measure incorporation of labelled phenylalanine into mixed and myofibrillar skeletal muscle proteins and yield fractional MPS. Training resulted in significant dynamic strength gains that were greater (P < 0.001) in the trained leg. Hypertrophy of type IIa and IIx fibres (P < 0.05) was observed following training. After training, resting mixed MPS rate was elevated (+48%; P < 0.05). Acutely, resistance exercise stimulated mixed MPS only in the untrained leg (P < 0.05). Myofibrillar MPS was unchanged at rest following training (P= 0.61). Myofibrillar MPS increased after resistance exercise (P < 0.05), but was not different between the trained and untrained legs (P= 0.36). We observed divergent changes in resting mixed versus myofibrillar protein synthesis with training. In addition, resistance training modified the acute response of MPS to resistance exercise by dampening the increased synthesis of non-myofibrillar proteins while maintaining the synthesis of myofibrillar proteins.
I agree that the anti-cortisol effects of recreate are proven and highly regarded, and no doubt improve the efficiency of FT. However rather than confusing anyone with big words, i will use smaller words.. Aminos before fasted training, along with the support supps, aminos intra as you suggest, however again i disagree, using glutamine, and creatine here together as both compete for the same receptors. Xtend contains l-glutamine in case you didnt know.
I did know! Well, in small words: MPS, [muscle protein synthesis] which is the key metabolic factor in protein turnover rate, [i.e., synthesizing muscle] does not occur until
after you train.
Further, studies utilizing EAA infusions show peak MPS [muscle protein synthesis] at 2h post-administration. I.e., taking your amino acids
prior to training will ensure that peak MPS occurs when your body
cannot synthesize protein; using an intra-workout BCAA mix will ensure that peak MPS occurs immediately after training, the time when it is most necessary.
Finally, there exists a phenomenon known as the "Refractory Period", whereby the induction of MPS has a refractory period [like an ejaculation] where it cannot be induced again. I.e., dosing your aminos prior to training will leave you in an MPS-refractory period, unable to synthesize protein
after training when you truly need it. The inclusion of extra Leucine is also made specifically to address this phenomenon, as Leucine supplementation alone has displayed an ability to maintain elevated MPS-rates post-training.
As I said, amino-acid-induced MPS has a AUC of about 2h. Utilizing aminos prior to training will most likely leave you in an MPS refractory period. Dosing them intra-workout and again immediately post-WO will ensure that muscle protein fraction rates are attenuated and MPS are increased, both when your body can take advantage of them.
Gives you a crazy morning wood to boot. (Sidenote: I love my coconut oil! Probably more than it deserves)
...Oooh Yeah :twisted: , 450 X 14 
haha.
