All You Need To Know About Whey
Whey protein has embedded itself as a staple in the sports nutrition diet, but with so many whey variants on the market which is the right ‘whey’ to go when choosing your protein powder?
To help clear up the confusion Maximuscle discuss the three most popular whey variants.
WHAT IS WHEY?
Whey protein is produced as a bi-product of cheese production. In the manufacturing process enzymes are added to milk causing the components to separate out into curds, which are used to make cheese, and liquid whey. This liquid can then be further filtered to remove much of the fat, lactose (milk sugar), minerals and water. There are different levels of filtration which will determine the purity and protein content of the whey. The liquid whey by-product is then spray dried to create a powder that you’re used to seeing at home in your protein supplement tub.
WHY WHEY?
With increased popularity and scientific understanding, it’s fair to say that whey protein is a fantastic choice of protein. It is a complete protein source, meaning it contains all 9 essential amino acids that we must get from our diet, as they can’t be self-synthesised. Of particular interest is the high branched-chain amino acids (BCAAs) content in whey protein.
When it comes to digestion, whey protein is top of the charts. Not all proteins are the same, there are marked differences in the way proteins are digested in the human body. Some proteins digest very well and result in a high proportion of their amino acid makeup being appropriately utilised by the body. Some proteins on the other hand cannot be effectively digested. To that end, proteins are graded using the Protein Digestibility Corrected Amino Acid Score (PDCAAS), a score of 1.0 is a good score. Whey protein has a score of 1.0. It is very quickly digested and can be seen in the blood stream 30 minutes post ingestion, meaning it’s an ideal form of protein to consume post exercise.
WHICH WHEY IS THE RIGHT WHEY?
There are three predominant forms of whey protein in the sports nutrition market, each with their own specialities.
Whey Protein Concentrate (WPC) – WPC is the most common form of whey protein found in supplements. WPC is typically low in fat and although contains less protein per gram compared to Whey Protein Isolate (WPI), it contains more biologically active components that make it an attractive supplement.
Whey Protein Isolate (WPI) – WPI goes through an additional filtration step compared to WPC, meaning fat and lactose have been filtered to much lower levels. This makes WPI the purest form of whey protein. Some are concerned that this extra filtration step will affect the biological activity of the protein. Maximuscle manufacturers take considerable care to ensure the quality of their protein is not compromised.
Whey Protein Hydrolysate (WPH) - WPH are comprised of much shorter protein chains which the body is able to absorb quicker than normal protein. They are pre-treated with special enzymes that transform the long molecule chains into simpler smaller molecules that get to work quickly. Unfortunately, as much of the fat and sugar are filtered out in the process of producing WPH, it can have the least appealing flavour out of the three. This type of protein is often found in baby formula and used with people with digestion complications.
MAXIMUSCLE HIGH QUALITY WHEY PROTEIN
Maximuscle’s newly reformulated ranges of Cyclone, Promax Lean and Progain and are packed with our high quality premium Whey Protein, a complete whey blend including whey protein concentrate, whey protein isolate and whey protein hydrosylate. This combination of whey varieties results in a fast acting protein source, perfect to stimulate muscle development post exercise.
