Why is protein so important?
Protein is one of the building blocks of the human body. Within the human body, it is composed of 20 standard amino acids in many combinations. Protein is critical for muscle development and recovery, immune response, the creation of certain hormones, maintaining pH in the body, regulating energy levels, and much more. However, protein is not stored in the body, so for that reason, a constant supply is required through diet and supplementation.
High-protein foods such as chicken, eggs, and salmon are low fat and low in carbohydrates. Consuming foods like these aids in the growth of lean muscle mass.However, achieving optimal levels of protein through diet alone can be tedious and is often difficult to achieve. For years now, nutrition experts, bodybuilders, and other high-performance athletes have been promoting the benefits of high-quality protein supplementation.
While professional-grade protein powders have become a go-to means for achieving optimal protein intake, not all protein is created equal. The degree to which a protein is processed and the level of purity it achieves plays a dramatic role in deciding which protein is right for you. This article discusses why whey protein is a particularly excellent source of protein for a wide-range of athletes.
How does whey protein help build muscle?
Whey protein powder is easily digested by the body, resulting in amino acids being redirected through the blood to aid in muscle synthesis (muscle building). Whey is essentially the fat-digesting protein derived from milk; it can also assist in weight loss as more energy is required to burn protein than carbohydrates or sugars. Using protein before, during, or after workouts has been shown to increase muscle mass.
Additionally, whey powder is a great source of branched-chain amino acids: leucine, isoleucine, and valine. As the body fluctuates between catabolic and anabolic states during the day, BCAA’s—especially leucine—aid in recovery and synthesis.
Daily requirements for protein are approximately 0.8 grams per pound in a healthy adult. This changes in athletes and weight lifters to 1.4-2 grams per pound.
- Whey protein provides the building blocks for muscle synthesis—the all critical amino acids.
- Whey increases the release of anabolic hormones which can increase muscle growth.
- It contains a high concentration of leucine, which stimulates muscle synthesis.
- Whey protein is absorbed and utilized very quickly in the body.
What are the types of whey protein? Which is best for building muscle mass?
There are three kinds of whey protein: whey isolate, whey concentrate, and whey hydrolysate. All three types of whey protein are derived from dairy, and differences between them can be traced primarily to processing time and methods. For example, whey protein isolate is more processed than concentrate, while whey protein hydrolysate is hyper-processed to the point of being partially digested through artificial processes.
The table below shows some of the most important points of comparison:
|Whey Concentrate||Whey Isolate||Whey Hydrolysate|
|Up to 80% protein content||Around 90% protein content||Around 90% protein content|
|Slow absorption||Rapid Absorption||Extremely degraded, Rapid absorption|
|High concentration of Lactose||Low to Zero Lactose||Low to Zero Lactose|
|Generally Excellent Taste||Very Good to Excellent Taste||Poor Taste|
Whey protein concentrate
is the most popular form of protein powder, despite its lower purity. It is available in a variety of flavors and can be easily found in sports nutrition stores and supermarkets. It can be taken before, during, or after workouts, or even used as a protein-rich snack between meals. Concentrate is usually 70-80% protein the remaining composition being sugar, fats, and water.
Whey protein isolate
can be up to 90% protein and contains much less lactose. It is ideal for pre and post workouts. It is usually the lowest calorie protein powder, as it contains lower amounts of lactose, fat, and carbohydrates. As with whey concentrate there are many options in flavors and protein concentration.
Whey protein hydrolysate
is a whey that has been partially broken down prior to consumption. For this reason, it can be helpful in the repair of damaged muscles. Hydrolysate causes a 28-43% spike in insulin levels, so diabetics should use it with caution.
Why Allmax Isoflex whey isolate powder is the superior choice.
One of the most advanced whey protein isolate powders on the market is Isoflex by Allmax Nutrition. This bestselling whey protein isolate powder comes in a variety of delicious flavours, is gluten, soy, and lactose-free, and offers an incredible 27 grams of protein per serving. That means that every serving is 90% protein!
This year, Allmax is celebrating the 20th anniversary of Isoflex. Its groundbreaking and ultra-pure formulation is a winning formula that never goes out of style. A superior offering trusted by countless athletes, bodybuilders, and fitness fanatics, Isoflex has been the gold standard for two decades, and will remain the King of Protein Powders for decades to come!