Calcium Caseinate

Calcium caseinate is a highly soluble form of casein protein made by treating casein with calcium hydroxide. As a slow-digesting protein, it provides sustained amino acid release over 5-7 hours, making it useful for overnight protein supply. Studies show casein stimulates muscle protein synthesis (MPS) comparably to whey acutely but provides more prolonged aminoacidemia. For muscle growth with resistance training, casein is roughly equivalent to whey. Casein may promote greater satiety than whey due to slower gastric emptying. Contains ~80% protein, all essential amino acids, and provides dietary calcium.

Quick Answer

What it is

Key findings

Grade B: Muscle Protein Synthesis (Muscle Size & Strength)
Grade B: Lean Mass (Body Composition)
Grade C: Satiety (Appetite Regulation)

Safety

No specific caution or interaction language was detected in the current summary/outcome notes.

ℹ️ Quick Facts: Calcium Caseinate

Quick Facts: Calcium Caseinate

Best Evidence:Grade B
Conditions Studied:3
Research Outcomes:3
Grade B Findings:2
Key Effect:Muscle Size & Strength

Outcomes by grade:

3 conditions · 3 outcomes

Detailed Outcomes

Muscle Protein Synthesis

Casein stimulates MPS comparably to whey over 24h despite lower acute peak. With resistance training, muscle gains are similar to whey protein.

8 studies200 participants

moderate↑Improves

Lean Mass

Casein protein supports lean mass gains with resistance training similar to whey; some evidence for better fat loss with casein.

5 studies150 participants

moderate↑Improves

Satiety

Casein increases satiety more than whey in some studies due to slower gastric emptying and prolonged gut hormone release.

4 studies100 participants

small↑Improves

Evidence by Condition

Best grade per condition (each condition may have multiple outcomes)

BMuscle Size & Strength

1 outcome · 8 studies

↑Muscle Protein SynthesisImproves

BBody Composition

1 outcome · 5 studies

↑Lean MassImproves

CAppetite Regulation

1 outcome · 4 studies

↑SatietyImproves

Research Citations (5)

A systematic review, meta-analysis and meta-regression of the effect of protein supplementation on resistance training-induced gains in muscle mass and strength in healthy adults

Br J Sports Med (2018)

PMID: 24149627

Presleep protein ingestion to improve the skeletal muscle adaptive response to exercise training

Med Sci Sports Exerc (2012)

PMID: 21367943

Ingestion of casein and whey proteins result in muscle anabolism after resistance exercise

Med Sci Sports Exerc (2004)

PMID: 16469983

Casein and whey exert different effects on plasma amino acid profiles, gastrointestinal hormone secretion and appetite

Br J Nutr (2003)

PMID: 22330017

Slow and fast dietary proteins differently modulate postprandial protein accretion

Proc Natl Acad Sci USA (1997)

PMID: 9405716

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