So Whey – Probably the most common form of Protein Powders. Like Casein, Whey is also derived from Milk Proteins – Whey is the by product from cheese production.

Whey is found in 3 different forms – Isolate, Concentrate and Hydrolysate.

Isolate is the most common and the purest form of protein. It also happens to be virtually lactose, carb, fat and cholesterol free – all good news for those wanting to gain mass or drop body fat!!

Whey is a fast absorbing protein which is perfect for that breakfast, pre or post workout shake!!

If using Whey as a post workout shake it is advisable to eat a meal containing protein 20-60 minutes after the shake.

To get the best of both Casein and Whey you can mix your Whey Powder with milk!!

Whey Protein 101: The Ultimate Beginner’s Guide

Whey protein contains an incredible range of essential amino acids, which are absorbed quickly.

Numerous studies show that it can help you increase strength, gain muscle and lose significant amounts of body fat.

However… whey is more than just protein. There are tons of other nutrients in there, some with potent biological effects.

In fact, it is one of the best studied supplements in the world.

This is a detailed article about whey protein… what it is, how it works and how it can help you achieve your fitness and health goals.

What is Whey Protein?

Whey protein is a mixture of proteins isolated from whey. Whey is the liquid part of milk that separates during cheese production.

Whey is found in the watery portion of milk. When cheese is produced, the fatty parts of the milk coagulate and the whey is separated from it as a by-product.

If you’ve ever opened a yogurt container to see liquid floating on top, this is whey. Cheese makers used to discard it before they discovered its commercial value

After being separated during cheese production, whey goes through a series of processing steps to become what people generally recognize as whey protein… a powder that is added to shakes, meal replacements and protein bars

Whey protein doesn’t taste very good on its own, which is why it is usually flavoured. Chocolate, vanilla and strawberry flavoured powders are popular.

It’s important that you read the ingredients list, because some of them can have unhealthy additives like refined sugar.

Taking whey protein is a convenient way to add 25-50 grams of protein on top of your daily intake. This can be important for bodybuilders and gym enthusiasts, as well as people who need to lose weight or are simply lacking protein in their diet.

Most flavoured whey proteins are also pretty delicious and can be used to make healthy recipes (like smoothies) taste incredibly good.

Whey is generally well tolerated, although people with lactose intolerance need to be careful with it. There are also some people who are allergic to whey.

Stay Tuned for a future blog post – Protein Pwders – Alternatives

Whey Protein Supplements Can Help Boost Your Protein and BCAA Intake

Proteins are the main building blocks of the human body.

They’re used to make various important things, both large and small.

This includes tendons, organs and skin… as well as hormones, enzymes, neurotransmitters and all sorts of tiny molecules.

Proteins are assembled from amino acids, smaller molecules that are linked together like beads on a string.

Some amino acids are produced by the body’s cells, while others must be gotten from foods. The ones that we must get from foods are termed “essential” amino acids.

Proteins that supply all the essential amino acids are the best… and whey protein is loaded with them.

It is particularly high in important Branched Chain Amino Acids (BCAAs) like Leucine, and also contains a large amount of Cysteine

Studies show that Leucine is the most anabolic (growth promoting) amino acid, and Cysteine can help boost levels of the cellular antioxidant Glutathione

Whey protein appears to be particularly effective at stimulating growth in humans. Human breast milk is actually 60% whey, compared to 20% in cow’s milk

Types of Whey Protein: Concentrate vs Isolate vs Hydrolysate

There are several popular types of whey protein available.

The main difference between them, is the way they have been processed.

• Concentrate: About 70-80% protein. Contains some lactose (milk sugar) and fat, and has the best flavor.
• Isolate: 90% protein, or higher. Contains less lactose and fat, and is missing a lot of the beneficial nutrients found in whey protein concentrate.
• Hydrolysate: Also known as hydrolyzed whey, this type has been pre-digested so that it gets absorbed faster. It causes a 28-43% greater spike in insulin levels than isolate

Whey protein concentrate seems to be the overall best option… it is the cheapest and retains most of the beneficial nutrients found naturally in whey. Many people also prefer the taste, which is probably because of the small amounts of lactose and fat.

If you have problems tolerating concentrate, or you’re trying to emphasize protein while keeping carbs and fat low, then whey protein isolate (or even hydrolysate) may be a better option.

Keep in mind that despite concentrate being the most popular form, most of the studies used whey protein isolate.

Effects of Whey Supplementation on Muscle Mass and Strength

The best known use of whey protein supplements is for the purpose of increasing muscle mass and strength.

Whey protein is popular among athletes, bodybuilders, fitness models, as well as people looking to improve their performance in the gym.

The main effects of whey on muscle/strength are:

1. Building Blocks: It provides protein and amino acids, which serve as building blocks for increased muscle growth.
2. Hormones: It increases release of anabolic hormones that can stimulate muscle growth, such as Insulin
3. Leucine: It is high in the amino acid Leucine, which is known to stimulate muscle protein synthesis at the molecular and genetic level
4. Fast Absorption: Whey protein is absorbed and utilized very quickly compared to other types of protein

Whey protein has been shown to be particularly effective at increasing muscle growth when consumed right before, after or during a workout, but muscle protein synthesis is usually maximized in the time period after training

However, a recent review of the evidence concluded that total daily protein intake is the most relevant factor in muscle growth. Whether protein is consumed around the workout or not doesn’t seem to matter much

When compared to other types of protein, such as soy protein, whey protein has usually performed slightly better

When compared to casein, the evidence is more mixed. Whey appears to be effective in the short-term, but casein stimulates muscle growth over a longer period, so the net effect appears to be similar

However… keep in mind that unless your diet is already lacking in protein, supplementing with whey protein is unlikely to have a huge effect on your results.

In a study of elderly individuals who were already eating adequate protein, there was no difference in muscle growth between whey and carbohydrate, during 12 weeks of resistance training.

Therefore, the evidence of whey protein on muscle and strength is mixed, and the results may vary greatly between individuals.

If you’re already eating plenty of meat, fish, eggs and dairy (also high in quality protein), then the benefits of adding whey will probably be minimal.

Whey Protein Improves Satiety and May Help Weight Loss

It is well known that protein can help with weight loss.

It is the most fulfilling macronutrient, by far

Protein can boost metabolism by 80 to 100 calories per day, and make people automatically eat up to 441 fewer calories per day

In one study, eating protein at 25% of calories cut cravings by 60%, and reduced the desire for late-time snacking by half

Taking whey protein is a great way to increase your protein intake, which should have major benefits for weight loss.

Studies have shown that replacing other sources of calories with whey protein, combined with weight lifting, can cause weight loss of about 8 pounds, while increasing lean muscle mass

Therefore… if you’re trying to lose weight, then a whey protein supplement can help you both lose weight and hold on to your precious muscle

Other Health Benefits of Whey Protein

Whey is more than just a high quality protein source, it also contains other beneficial nutrients.

This includes lactoferrin, beta-lactoglobulin, alpha-lactalbumin and immunoglobulins

Beyond just muscle, strength and leanness, whey protein can provide numerous other health benefits.

This includes lowering blood pressure, blood sugar and reducing symptoms of stress and depression

The fact that whey protein is very high in the amino acid Cysteine seems to mediate many of the health benefits. Cysteine does this by raising levels of Glutathione, the main antioxidant substance in the body’s cells

 

https://authoritynutrition.com/whey-protein-101/