Benefits of Whey Protein Isolate
Whey is a complete source of protein compared to any other source of vegetable proteins or any protein from animals, and there are three types of whey. That is why whey protein is the most common form of protein powder. All the requirements for amino acids can be completed through whey. It is called a complete protein. If you are doing resistance training, then your protein requirements increase.
The best alternative: your diet of protein-rich foods should be able to meet your requirements. But when increases in protein requirements have to be supplemented, you have to be aware of your lactose tolerance. 60% of the world’s adults are lactose intolerant. These adults prefer whey protein isolate or some other plant-based protein.Â
Based on processing techniques, protein is divided into three forms of whey: hydrolysate, concentrate and isolate. Their processing steps and purifying process differentiate the three. Each form of whey has its properties, advantages, and drawbacks. Whey protein isolate is a type of whey protein refined to extract much of the fat and carbohydrates. (Source: Wikipedia) This product is relatively new to the dietary supplements industry.
By the method of isolating protein from whey, the whey protein isolate is prepared. It is high in protein and a good source of one of the anabolic essential amino acids, leucine. By filtering or centrifuging the liquid that is leftover from cheese making, whey isolate is made.
Isolate is a type of protein that is used in muscle building and muscle fibre development. Bodybuilders favour protein intakes in this form since this high-quality protein is the purest form. It is used around the world by runners, bodybuilders, weight lifters, and other exercise enthusiasts. Some health enthusiasts say their performance during workouts is also improved by consuming Whey Protein Isolate, though I don’t feel so.
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What are the side effects of whey protein isolate?
Whey protein isolate is a protein from milk that is refined to extract lactose content and fat. Milk protein is called a complete protein because it contains all the necessary muscle-building amino acids. Isolate is a more processed form that can lack any of the other normal milk nutrients. Although it is usually thought to increase protein consumption, eating so much whey protein can contribute to some unexpected side effects. To read more about side effects, please check out the following detailed article about whey.
Whey Protein Isolate vs. Concentrate
The difference between Whey Concentrate and Isolate is that of lactose levels. Whey Protein Concentrate has high levels of lactose, i.e., 3 to 3.5%. Processing of Whey Concentrate by further filtering processes leads to Isolate.
If you Look at nutritional differences, concentrate has more carbs, fats, and certain vitamins and minerals. Isolate has almost no carbs, fats, or any other minerals or vitamins.
So the key factor, i.e., protein quantity, is about 90% in isolate, whereas it is a maximum of 80% in concentrate. To increase your daily protein intake, you can either have an isolate or increase your concentrate intake.
There are not many positive effects of this except for the weight loss industry. In terms of health benefits, there are more calories in concentrate and less in isolate. As it is digested faster than concentrate, the food cravings are also decreased.
Most of the health enthusiasts who do whey protein supplementation prefer concentrate as it is less expensive.
Fake or spurious products:
Due to its beneficial effects, though it is expensive, it is very popular among fitness enthusiasts. Due to the high demand and huge margins available in manufacturing spurious products, many are available in the market. It is prevalent in the food industry even though spurious food products are a potential risk to consumers’ health.
Be very cautious and alert when buying one. You can easily recognize fakes if we look closely. The packaging can never match the original product. Their manufacturing date is also very old, usually close to expiry, as an explanation for the difference in packaging. It is to explain to the consumer that the packaging looks as old as it is old. So more discounts are also offered on it. Companies also have various ways to authenticate the product.
The best way is to check with the retailer how he can prove that the product is original. He knows how to prove if it is original. For online purchases, buy from a reputed retailer concerned about his reputation and check the product packaging before opening it. Send it back to the retailer if you are unsure. I even emailed the packaging image of a Muscletech product to the manufacturer in Canada. They replied within 24 hours that it was genuine.
Hydrolysed Whey Protein Isolate
Whey Protein Hydrolysate is whey protein isolate powder in pre-digested form. Whey protein hydrolysate is formed by further processing whey protein, heating it, or treating it with acids or enzymes. It has the smallest chain of amino acids.
It is usually prescribed to patients who have protein digestibility problems. It is said to give the fastest recovery from intense workouts and does the fastest muscle protein synthesis.
As it is treated to such an extent, sometimes consuming it is not considered healthy as there is no other nutrient except protein. It can create an imbalance of nutrients in the body. It is much more costly as compared to the other two types of protein.
Grass-Fed Whey Protein Isolate
It is one of the sources of protein. Grass-fed whey protein, as the name suggests, is obtained from grass-fed cow’s milk only.
Such cows are raised only on grass feeds. But this is not regulated by the FDA, so it is difficult to assume that it is entirely true.
The difference in the product is in terms of fat. Grass-fed cow’s milk contains more healthy fats and vitamins like A & E along with glutathione. Specifically, it contains Omega-3 fatty acids. There is little or no increase in protein value or decrease in carbohydrates in grass-fed cow’s milk. Nor is there any increase in its amino acid score.
The interesting part is that during the processing of protein isolate, mostly all carbs and fats are removed. So the healthy part or all the nutritional benefits of grass-fed cow’s milk is removed before serving it to you.
Best Whey Protein Isolates
You can complete your protein intake goals with the following brands of Best Whey Protein Isolates. It is perfect for giving you a toned body if consumed along with proper and regular workouts. It can be difficult to say which is the best of all these, given all the possibilities out there. That’s why we have assembled this list of the top 10 labels.
As isolate requires a different, more efficient filtering process, the prices are higher than most concentrates and blended powders.
Being premium protein powders, all have good to excellent mixability.
Each of these is available in numerous flavours, but more than 50% of them are usually out of stock.
In my personal opinion, the best isolate protein is the unflavored one, which has nothing else except isolate protein in it, so 100% of the calories are from protein.
ON Platinum Hydrowhey Protein Powder
Scoop Size – 39gm
- Energy – 140 Calories
- Protein 30 gm
- Fat 1 gm
- Carbs – 3 gm
- Sodium – 170 mg
- BCAA – 8.8 gm
ON is recognized the world over as a very quality-conscious company, not compromising on any product quality at all. The best quality whey protein undergoes advanced purifying processes wherein a part of it is hydrolyzed to form the best whey isolate that is most liked in the world. About 88% pure protein/serving, though 86% of the calories are from protein if we check calories. It is gluten-free and tested for a banned substance as well. It has an artificial flavouring substance called acesulfame potassium.
Price-It is expensive, no doubt, but most people still consider it value for money considering its quality.
Flavours – ON protein powders are available in 20 different flavours, but the availability of a particular flavour or SKU is always a chance. My favourite is Double rich chocolate, which is mostly available.
Ultimate Nutrition ISO Sensation 93 Isolate
Scoop Size – 33gm
- Energy – 130 Calories
- Protein – 30 gm
- Fat – 0.0 gm
- Carbs – 1 gm
- Sodium – 50 mg
Ultimate Nutrition ISO Sensation 93 is a protein powder that has a pure composition of whey isolate. It gets 93% of its calories from protein, referred to as “almost entirely protein.” It’s a wonderful product that was built with the well-being and taste of the customer in mind.
Price-If you calculate the per gm protein price that you get, it is very inexpensive.
Flavours – It has seven different flavours. My favourite is chocolate fudge, which is almost like double chocolate ON Gold 100%.
Dymatize ISO 100% Whey Protein Isolate
Scoop Size – 32gm
- Energy – 120 Calories
- Protein 25 gm
- Fat- 0.5 gm
- Carbs – 2 gm
- Sodium – 160 mg
- BCAA – 5.5 gm
Dymatize Nutrition Elite 100 percent is a product of Dymatize Nutrition, an organization that has been in operation since 1987.
Yeah, Dymatize whey protein isolate could be the finest you could buy for the bulging muscles you love. It’s one of the best whey proteins in USA, with a consistency like no other.
Price-Due to its high price, we have put it in the third position. It offers only 78% protein in a 32 gm scoop which is only 83% in calories.
Flavours – It comes in 12 different flavours, though all are rarely available. My favourite is gourmet chocolate.
This product contains everything you’ll hear about in any recommendations about protein powder, making it one of the best quality protein powders currently on the market. It is an ultra-premium whey isolate powder and has an ultra-fast absorption composition.
NutraBio 100% Whey Protein Isolate
Scoop Size – 29.76gm
- Energy – 110 Calories
- Protein 25 gm
- Carbs – 1gm
- Sodium – 96 mg
- BCAA – 5.3 gm
NutraBio as a company is very highly regarded for its quality products. Nutrabio 100% Whey Protein Isolate is also one of their finest. Being an isolate is fast-acting for repair and recovery. It has zero soy, gluten, or hormones. By weight, it has 84% protein, which is 91% in terms of calories.
Price -It is expensive compared to others, as the company feels they provide the purest form of protein.
Flavours – It comes in 11 different flavours though I have never seen more than six.
Muscle Feast Whey Protein Isolate
Scoop Size – 24gm
- Energy – 88 Calories
- Protein – 20.5 gm
- Carbs – 0.2 gm
- Sodium – 41 mg
- BCAA – 6 gm
It is a pasture-raised, grass-fed protein. It does not contain soy, gluten, added sugars, artificial colours, artificial flavours, or sweeteners. It has 85% protein in it. It has zero fats and almost zero carbs and is a certified vegetarian product by the American Vegetarian Association.
Price – Being a pasture-raised and grass-fed protein, it is expensive comparatively.
Flavour – It is available in 6 flavours, and an unflavored variant is also available.
BSN SYNTHA-6 Isolate Whey Protein Powder
Scoop Size – 38gm
- Energy – 140 Calories
- Protein – 25 gm
- Fat- 1.5 gm
- Carbs – 7 gm
- Sodium – 160 mg
BSN SYNTHA-6 Isolate Whey Protein Powder is an innovative protein powder produced by BSN, a market pioneer for decades. It is not a complete whey protein isolate but a 50/50 mixture of whey and milk protein isolates. It offers both rapid and slow-release protein sources for your body, making it a perfect choice for a supplement for post-workout recovery.
Compared to other isolates, it has a high proportion of carbohydrates and fats in it. It has only 66% protein in it which is 71% in terms of calories.
Price-Due to its unique formulation, the company has kept the prices at a premium.
Flavour: There are various flavours in it, but they are mostly out of stock.
Isopure Zero Carb 100% Whey Isolate
Scoop Size – 20gm
- Energy – 100 Calories
- Protein – 25 gm
- Fat- 0 gm
- Carbs – 0 gm
- Sodium – 160 mg
It is a very good quality isolate protein. Being unflavored, 100% of the calories are protein calories.
A common whey protein supplement is Isopure Zero Carb 100 percent. It’s manufactured by Nature’s Finest, a major protein supplement maker. The powder is a complete extract with virtually no fats or carbohydrates.
It does not contain any chemical sweeteners, colors, or spices. It’s lactose-free and gluten-free.
Price: As it is flavorless, the price is less compared to several others.
Flavours: This one does not have any flavour.
Now whey protein Isolate
Scoop Size – 33gm
- Energy – 120 Calories
- Protein – 25 gm
- Fat- 0.5 gm
- Carbs – 2 gm
- BCAA – 5.5 gm
Now is another brand of isolate, which is fast-digesting, inexpensive, and comes in five flavours and one unflavored variant. Its main claim to fame is its price.
Every scoop has 75% protein which is 83% in calories.
Muscletech Performance Series Whey Isolate
Scoop Size – 46 gm
- Energy – 160 Calories
- Protein – 30 gm
- Fat- 3 gm
- Carbs – 4 gm
- Sodium – 140 mg
- BCAA – 6.8 gm
A unique blend of whey protein is Muscletech’s new Nitrotech powder. It is not a whey powder that is concentrated, isolated, or hydrolyzed. Instead, it’s a blend of three distinct whey protein forms, and it’s been processed to speed up the vitamin absorption it provides to your muscles. To help with intense work and fast regeneration, Nitrotech is engineered to provide the fuel your body requires. Proteins are only 65% in one scoop, which is 75% of calories. The rest of the calories are from carbs and fats.
It contains peptides in whey protein, which are amino acid chains that have been broken down into small parts that are more readily ingested. To eliminate still more calories, it is a low-fat whey protein that has been further broken down. This powder also involves hydrolysate of whey protein.
Price – It is not in the ultra-premium category, and you can get this one at a good discount.
Flavours – This also comes in various flavours, but my favourite is milk chocolate.
Kaged Muscle Micropure Whey Protein Isolate
Scoop Size – 34.3gm
- Energy – 130 Calories
- Protein – 25 gm
- Fat- 1 gm
- Carbs – 6 gm
- BCAA – 5.5 gm
The company calls its product a new generation of Whey protein isolate as it is pure, clean & the fastest digestion. There is no addition of concentrate and no protein blends in it. Due to added digestive enzymes, digestion is fast.
But there is 6 gm of carbs, due to which the protein per scoop is only 73%, i.e., only 77% of calories.
Price: It is in the average isolate price bracket.
Flavour: It has seven flavours, but generally, one or two are only available.
Reviews
Please also check reviews of the product that you plan to buy. Most products will have both good and bad reviews. But if the good reviews are more. Check the date of reviews. If the reviews are old, check a couple of more sites for the latest reviews. Some companies will add reviews by their customers in other countries by supplying a similar but slightly different product. Buy the product that has your country’s reviews, as sometimes the product specifications also differ from country to country.
Conclusion
Some companies don’t give complete information on the packaging. They will give only the information deemed mandatory by the government. Then others will not respond if the product we purchased is original or spurious. That is irresponsible behaviour towards the consumer.
Though I keep changing and checking my protein powder, my favourite is the Optimum Nutrition Platinum Hydrowhey Protein Powder. It has unbeatable quality and taste. The company is very open about the product it offers, and you can get complete information on the packaging. You get immediate replies to any queries raised.
