Facts Of Whey Protein

What is Whey Protein
Whey protein is actually a term used to describe a group of globular proteins that can be separated from whey. When cow's milk is used to manufacture cheese, it also leads to the production of whey, which may or may not be discarded. It is a mixture of lactoglobulin, alpha-lactalbumin and serum albumin.

What Makes It Good for the Body
Because whey protein contains an inordinate amount of essential and non-essential acids, it frequently plays a prominent role in most low-carb and high-protein diets. Another reason for this is because of its low content of fats and of course, carbohydrates.

Whey protein is a high quality powder made from cow’s milk. Cow’s milk is made up of two proteins – casein (80%) and whey (20%). The whey is called the Gold Standard of protein as it is scientifically proven to be the most nutritious protein available. It is also more soluble than casein and has a higher quality rating.

Whey protein is not a by-product of making cheese as originally thought, but rather, it is a co-product of the cheese-making process. Whey protein isolate is the most pure form of protein there is, containing almost no fat or lactose. Whey protein is a high-quality complete protein, with all the essential amino acids. Whey protein is also the richest known source of naturally occurring branched chain amino acids.

It promotes weight loss by enabling a dieter to reach a feeling of fullness faster than consuming any other form of protein. Whey protein is a very high-quality complete protein with rich amounts of all the essential amino acids. Whey protein isolate is the purest form of whey protein, which is why it is absorbed so quickly and efficiently into the body.

Whey protein is a nutritionally complete protein. It contains bioactive ingredients, like immunoglobulins and lactoferrin, which help support the immune system. Athletes prefer whey protein to soy protein due to its rich abundance of branched-chain amino acids and its quick absorption rate. These are important to help repair and rebuild muscles after a workout or competitive event.

Whey protein has a fresh, neutral taste and will not change the taste of foods you add it to. Whey protein does not contain isoflavones or any other components with potential hormonal effects. Compared to other proteins, on a gram-to-gram basis, whey protein isolate delivers more essential amino acids to the body but without the fat or cholesterol. Nutrition experts recommend a diet with a variety of protein foods but for optimal results make sure that one of them is whey protein.

Lose Weight, Burn Fat With Whey Protein

There are many ways to lose weight and burn fat: increase exercise and decrease food consumption is the most obvious and safest answer. However, with the popularity of the Atkins diet (a high protein, high fat, low carbohydrate diet), many people claim they can lose weight by increasing their protein consumption.

Here are 4 ways how whey protein can help with weight loss.

1) The “thermic diet”

The “thermic diet” is a diet that increases your metabolic rate. Whey protein falls in this category as it requires more energy to digest than other foods

2) The Pre-workout or mid-day protein shake.

A pre-workout protein shake can curb hunger, especially if you work out at lunch time.

Protein has a greater ability to curb your appetite than fat and carbohydrates. Whey protein contains glycomacropeptide, or GMP, which helps promote the release of the appetite-suppressing hormone CCK. This may help you feel full before the 20 minute window when your brain registers it’s full. Another factor is protein aids in slowing down the absorption of glucose into the bloodstream thus reducing insulin spikes. In both cases, you will stop eating sooner and curb that appetite.

3) The Post-workout protein shake

A post-workout protein shake helps replenish and refuel the body with necessary amino acids and proteins.

Also, high quality proteins such as whey protein or whey protein isolate help to preserve lean muscle tissue while you lose fat. If your body doesn’t get enough essential amino acids and proteins on a daily basis it will rely on your reserve of existing muscle tissue.

4) Whey protein is better than Soy or Casein protein

Whey contains all of the essential amino acids and is particularly high in the branched-chain amino acids (leucine, isoleucine, and valine) and glutamine (an immune-boosting amino acid). Whey is considered a “fast-acting” protein.

Casein is the main protein in milk. Its absorption is a bit slower than whey, and often designated a “slow-acting” protein.

Soy is the best non-animal source of protein and often has a bad reputation of being inferior from animal-source protein because of the lack of the amino acid methionine. However, Soy has its place on the grocery shelf as a meal-replacement powder or alternative food products such as soy milk or tofu.