Protein supplements have risen to be one of the top selling
nutritional supplements in the world. Protein powders used to be
reserved for bodybuilders and strength athletes, but like many things
that these people have advocated over the years, protein supplements
have now been recognised as a great way to keep healthy and supplement
you diet with a very high quality, inexpensive, convenient protein
source.
When looking to buy a protein supplement you may want to bear in mind that there are a diverse range of protein sources that have been shown to have different effects on the body. Examples of these differing protein sources include whey protein, milk protein, egg white powdered protein and even protein derived from soy!
This article will give an overview of how these different protein sources are made and how they originate. How the protein sources affect the body will also be explained as this can influence your choice of protein supplement depending on your goals.
Before discussing the different types of protein sources available the biological value (BV) of protein must be explained. BV measures how efficiently a protein source is digested and then used in protein synthesis. If all of the protein you digest from a particular source is made available to the body to make different proteins it is incredibly effective and receives a high BV score. However, the less protein from a particular source that can be made available for protein synthesis receives a lower score.
This isn't the end of the matter however as, getting into more detail protein synthesis levels are not the only factor to take into consideration when taking a protein supplement. As an example whey protein isolate will be compared to micellar casein.
Whey protein isolate has a BV score of about 160 - the highest BV score of any protein source known to man at the time of writing this article! Micellar casein comes in with a score for about 90. Although whey protein isolate has a higher biological score it is digested very quickly and spikes blood plasma amino acid levels very high, very quickly but then levels drop off very quickly too.
Whereas the micellar casein has a lower BV score and therefore doesn't increase protein synthesis as dramatically however because micellar casein digests slower it actually increases blood plasma amino acids levels for a longer period creating a greater overall net increase in nitrogen retention.
Which one is best for muscle growth or a lean body composition? Like many things in life it isn't a simple answer and different protein sources will be more beneficial at different times of the day; the list below explains the benefits of different protein sources and the most effective times to take them.
Whey Protein
Let's get started with the most popular source of protein currently available. Whey protein has risen to the top of the charts in terms of protein sales; it is fantastic value and attains the highest BV rating out of all protein sources. There are three main whey protein powders that are contained in protein supplements.
Whey Protein Isolate
Whey protein isolate is a very pure form of whey protein. Isolate protein supplements undergo several purification processes that filter out virtually all of the fat and carbohydrates and because of this are about 95% pure protein by weight. There are two types of whey protein isolate supplements, categorised by the way they are filtered.
One system uses ion exchange and the other uses filtration (there are many different types of filtration process including micro filtration and ultra filtration). Using a filtration process tends to preserve more bioactive fractions than using an ion-exchange process (bioactive fractions have health benefits).
Benefits
Whey protein isolate is easily digestible, contains very low amounts of lactose and also increases protein synthesis allowing for a large spike in amino acid levels.
Reasons To Choose Another Source
Some bioactive subfractions are lost and also the protein empties from the stomach quickly so amino acid levels drop quickly after ingestion.
Whey Protein Concentrate
Whey protein concentrate is slightly less filtered than whey protein isolates and is usually about 80% protein by weight. Milk is filtered to remove almost all of the unwanted fat and carbohydrates and unlike whey protein isolates still contains many of the bioactive fractions that support immune function.
Benefits
Whey protein concentrate contains more bioactive subfractions than whey protein isolates and is cheaper. Whey protein concentrate also spikes amino acid levels, so is perfect to take post workout.
Reasons To Choose Another Source
A rapid spike in amino acid levels is good post workout when a fast source of amino acids is needed but levels also drop at a fast rate after ingestion. Whey protein concentrate also contains slightly more lactose and may spark small allergic reactions in lactose intolerant individuals.
Hydrolysed Whey Protein
Hydrolysed whey protein is pre-digested in a lab in order for it to be digested at a quicker rate when it enters your body.
Benefits
As the proteins are 'broken up' the protein digests very quickly and easily so anyone with a lactose allergy or who may get gas from drinking protein supplements with more lactose will benefit from taking hydrolysed whey protein. qnc jelly gamat Hydrolysed whey protein also causes a large spike in amino acid levels so is perfect to take post workout when a fast acting source of protein is needed.
Reasons To Choose Another Source
Some of the bioactive subfractions are lost in the purification process. Hydrolysed whey protein also clears the stomach quickly so doesn't feed amino acids to muscle for a prolonged period.
When looking to buy a protein supplement you may want to bear in mind that there are a diverse range of protein sources that have been shown to have different effects on the body. Examples of these differing protein sources include whey protein, milk protein, egg white powdered protein and even protein derived from soy!
This article will give an overview of how these different protein sources are made and how they originate. How the protein sources affect the body will also be explained as this can influence your choice of protein supplement depending on your goals.
Before discussing the different types of protein sources available the biological value (BV) of protein must be explained. BV measures how efficiently a protein source is digested and then used in protein synthesis. If all of the protein you digest from a particular source is made available to the body to make different proteins it is incredibly effective and receives a high BV score. However, the less protein from a particular source that can be made available for protein synthesis receives a lower score.
This isn't the end of the matter however as, getting into more detail protein synthesis levels are not the only factor to take into consideration when taking a protein supplement. As an example whey protein isolate will be compared to micellar casein.
Whey protein isolate has a BV score of about 160 - the highest BV score of any protein source known to man at the time of writing this article! Micellar casein comes in with a score for about 90. Although whey protein isolate has a higher biological score it is digested very quickly and spikes blood plasma amino acid levels very high, very quickly but then levels drop off very quickly too.
Whereas the micellar casein has a lower BV score and therefore doesn't increase protein synthesis as dramatically however because micellar casein digests slower it actually increases blood plasma amino acids levels for a longer period creating a greater overall net increase in nitrogen retention.
Which one is best for muscle growth or a lean body composition? Like many things in life it isn't a simple answer and different protein sources will be more beneficial at different times of the day; the list below explains the benefits of different protein sources and the most effective times to take them.
Whey Protein
Let's get started with the most popular source of protein currently available. Whey protein has risen to the top of the charts in terms of protein sales; it is fantastic value and attains the highest BV rating out of all protein sources. There are three main whey protein powders that are contained in protein supplements.
Whey Protein Isolate
Whey protein isolate is a very pure form of whey protein. Isolate protein supplements undergo several purification processes that filter out virtually all of the fat and carbohydrates and because of this are about 95% pure protein by weight. There are two types of whey protein isolate supplements, categorised by the way they are filtered.
One system uses ion exchange and the other uses filtration (there are many different types of filtration process including micro filtration and ultra filtration). Using a filtration process tends to preserve more bioactive fractions than using an ion-exchange process (bioactive fractions have health benefits).
Benefits
Whey protein isolate is easily digestible, contains very low amounts of lactose and also increases protein synthesis allowing for a large spike in amino acid levels.
Reasons To Choose Another Source
Some bioactive subfractions are lost and also the protein empties from the stomach quickly so amino acid levels drop quickly after ingestion.
Whey Protein Concentrate
Whey protein concentrate is slightly less filtered than whey protein isolates and is usually about 80% protein by weight. Milk is filtered to remove almost all of the unwanted fat and carbohydrates and unlike whey protein isolates still contains many of the bioactive fractions that support immune function.
Benefits
Whey protein concentrate contains more bioactive subfractions than whey protein isolates and is cheaper. Whey protein concentrate also spikes amino acid levels, so is perfect to take post workout.
Reasons To Choose Another Source
A rapid spike in amino acid levels is good post workout when a fast source of amino acids is needed but levels also drop at a fast rate after ingestion. Whey protein concentrate also contains slightly more lactose and may spark small allergic reactions in lactose intolerant individuals.
Hydrolysed Whey Protein
Hydrolysed whey protein is pre-digested in a lab in order for it to be digested at a quicker rate when it enters your body.
Benefits
As the proteins are 'broken up' the protein digests very quickly and easily so anyone with a lactose allergy or who may get gas from drinking protein supplements with more lactose will benefit from taking hydrolysed whey protein. qnc jelly gamat Hydrolysed whey protein also causes a large spike in amino acid levels so is perfect to take post workout when a fast acting source of protein is needed.
Reasons To Choose Another Source
Some of the bioactive subfractions are lost in the purification process. Hydrolysed whey protein also clears the stomach quickly so doesn't feed amino acids to muscle for a prolonged period.
