Not all whey protein Powders are the same. This article aims to explain the difference between the protein powders on the market (and therefore difference in price) and how to choose the best for your needs.
Whey Protein:
Whey protein absolutely exploded onto the supplement market during the 90's, pushing out Rocky's raw eggs as athlete's favourite source of protein (this shift from real food eggs, to a powder, is why some may argue that whey actually created the main stream supplement market we have today).
What it is:
Whey protein is derived from milk. Milk is made from two proteins; casein (80%) and whey (20%). During the process of turning milk into cheese, the whey is extracted (before the supplement boom, this extract was actually just wasted). The main difference between these two proteins from an athletes' point of view, is that whey is water soluble, casein is not. This helps you because whey is easily absorbed by water, which research suggests is absorbed by your body faster (to help kick start your recovery process). The watery substance on top of yogurt is actually whey, which shows how easily it is absorbed by liquid.
The main benefit of whey, over all other protein sources, is its high concentration of BCAA's (branch chain amino acids); the building blocks of muscles. These are the essential amino acids leucine, isoleucine, and valine, meaning the body cannot create them itself.
So the main benefits of whey are:
1. It is easily digested to help speed up your recovery process
2. It contains a high concentration of BCAA's, the main building blocks of muscle repair and growth.
3. Being extracted from milk, it contains a high level of protein, with low sugar (lactose in this case) and fat.
The Different Types of Whey Protein:
Whey Protein Concentrate (WPC):
This is derived from the first filtering process which helps separate (through pressure) the protein from fat and lactose. This single extraction is the most basic of whey protein, leaving up to an 85% protein concentration (depending on the amount of filtration done). Most whey concentrates contain 70 - 80% protein, the remaining product being some carbs and fat.
Whey Protein Isolate (WPI):
This is a purer form of protein because it undergoes longer processing than WPC. The most common filtering form is called ion exchange, where the WPC is taken through an additional filtering step which uses ionically charged clay resins to bind with the protein and separate it from other compounds. The advantage of this process is a purer protein (about 95%), however, chemicals like sodium, hydroxide, and hydrochloric acid are used during the process to alter the whey's PH, thereby killing off many of the whey protein fractions.
Whey Protein Hydrolysate (WPH):
This product is when WPC or WPI goes through a further process which breaks longer protein chains into shorter ones. This means the protein is much easier, and therefore faster, to digest.
So which is Best?
Obviously the more processing your whey undergoes, the more expensive it is. The best value for money is definitely whey protein concentrate. In fact, for almost everyone this is the protein I recommend. The reason being it has the benefit of being high in protein, but not subjected to processing which breaks it down and thereby eliminating the whole compound (think of WPC as being more a food product, and WPI and WPH as supplement products). Besides, post workout you should look for some sugar to spike your insulin and further kick start your body's recovery process.
WPC contains this and some fats, which helps with testosterone production. Milk product also has high levels of growth hormones (that is why mammals are breastfed, and reptiles are born from an egg, these dairy products support muscle growth!), so why would you want to risk breaking down these agents through processing, and pay more to do it!?
The last, but for many the most important point to consider is taste. There is no point buying two kilo's of something you can't stand to drink! Optimum Nutrition's 100% Whey is what I recommend, it tastes good, contains all amino acids an athlete needs, and is competitively priced (which is why its Bodybuilding.com's highest selling supplement).
So good luck, happy training, and remember, it doesn't matter how much of what protein you take, if you don't train hard and eat a good balanced diet, the protein you choose won't make a lick of difference!
Committed to your success,
Sam Struthers, Bounce Fitness
37 Ridge St,
North Sydney
Sydney's complete Health and Exercise Provider
North Sydney
Sydney's complete Health and Exercise Provider
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Sam_Struthers
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