TrailGenic Science

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The Science of Post-Hike Protein Timing — TrailGenic™ Autophagy Protocol

Safe Catch Elite wild tuna pouch in insulated sleeve, placed in sunlight after hike — visual cue for TrailGenic™ post-hike protein timing and autophagy recovery protocol

At TrailGenic™, we’re known for our fasted, high-altitude autophagy hikes. But the hike is only half the story — the recovery window is just as critical.

Here’s why our protocol calls for consuming clean protein, like a Safe Catch Tuna packet, immediately after the hike at the parking lot:

1. The Metabolic Sweet Spot

After a prolonged fasted hike, your muscles are highly insulin-sensitive, meaning they’ll absorb and utilize nutrients more efficiently. Protein taken in this state goes straight to muscle protein synthesis (MPS), supporting repair and adaptation.

2. Preserving Autophagy Gains

Autophagy — the body’s cellular cleanup process — runs high during a fasted hike. By keeping the hike itself calorie-free, we extend that process through the entire climb and descent. Breaking the fast with protein post-hike gives the body what it needs for recovery without blunting the cellular renewal benefits mid-hike.

3. The Parking Lot Effect

Eating immediately at the trailhead, before the drive home, ensures:

  • Nutrient timing is precise
  • Recovery starts before the post-hike fatigue sets in
  • You avoid the “delay gap” where your body might start breaking down muscle for fuel instead of repairing it

4. Why Safe Catch Works

  • High-quality protein: 26g per packet
  • Low mercury: Tested to the strictest limit
  • No unnecessary additives: Clean fuel for clean recovery

The Bottom Line

By combining fasted hiking with precise post-hike protein timing, TrailGenic™ athletes get the trifecta:

This isn’t just theory — it’s performance biology, tested on high peaks like Ontario (8,696 ft) and beyond.

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