Critical Reload is different from milk becuase it contains three distinct, proportional types of protein: casein and whey proteins (isolate and hydrolyzed), so the user gets a unique sequence of amino acids. Critical Reload scores 100% in all essential amino acids – not limiting or deficient in the essential amino acids. Why all this focus on amino acids?

First and foremost, your body builds muscle out of amino acids, not whole proteins. Secondly, proteins provide the body critical amino acids that serve as building blocks for the formation of new muscle. But not all dietary proteins are equal. Since whey rapidly increases protein synthesis and casein blocks protein breakdown, a combination of both was ideal in the ingredient development of Critical Reload.

Milk proteins are excellent sources of essential amino acids, but they differ in one crucial aspect — whey is a fast-digesting protein, and casein is a slow-digesting protein. Fast-digesting whey means it is emptied from the stomach quickly, resulting in a rapid and significant increase in plasma amino acids. The results are a quick but transient increase in protein synthesis, while protein breakdown is not affected. Whey also has higher levels of leucine, a potent amino acid that stimulates protein synthesis. Whey protein is superior at augmenting protein synthesis rapidly, but this positive effect is short-lived. 

Milk casein protein is relatively insoluble and tends to form structures called micelles that increase solubility in water. During the processing of milk, which usually involves heat or acid, the casein peptides and micelle structure become disturbed or denatured to form simpler structures. As a result, a gelatinous material gets developed. The basis for whey casein is a slower rate of digestion, which results in a slow but steady release of amino acids into circulation.