Whey Protein Isolate Vs Concentrate: Which Should I Choose and Why?
Do you want to add whey protein to your diet but wonder, "What is all this debate about whey protein isolate vs concentrate?" What's the difference? How should you decide which is better for you? Whey is an excellent source of high quality protein.
It is a liquid by-product of the cheese making process.
When the water is removed from the whey, the resulting powder is whey protein concentrate - a great source of essential amino acids, glutathione, cysteine, and calcium.
To retain these nutrients, the process of water removal must be carefully managed.
For example, heat will destroy several of these nutrients.
Further isolating the protein requires additional processing, and more processing equals a greater chance of damaging the protein molecule.
The isolate form is up to 90% protein.
The other nutrients have been stripped away.
Benefits of whey concentrate Concentrated whey, when properly produced, retains the valuable enzymes, vitamins, minerals and proteins that naturally occur in the whey.
Glutathione is in every cell of your body and is critical in maintaining good health.
It is a very strong antioxidant, and studies show that whey protein concentrate is very beneficial in helping the body to produce glutathione whereas raising glutathione levels via direct supplementation is difficult.
(1) [By the way, vitamin D is also a catalyst for glutathione production.
] (2) Cysteine is an amino acid [i.
e.
protein] that the body uses to help detoxify the organs.
It is also important in collagen production.
It is a component of glutathione.
When shopping for a whey protein concentrate, look for one that has been cold processed to retain these valuable nutrients.
The best quality whey comes from grass-fed cows and is made from hormone-free, pesticide-free, GMO-free milk.
Breakfast smoothie recipe Here is an easy way to get your morning off to a healthy start: 1 Cup plain, nonfat yogurt [try to find organic] ½ Cup berries [organic strawberries, blueberries, raspberries, etc.
] 1 scoop Action Whey protein concentrate I like to use frozen berries to get a colder, thicker smoothie - a little more like a milkshake.
This delicious smoothie will give you 25 grams of protein for about 250 calories.
Each meal should include a good source of lean protein; "good" fat such as olive oil, fish oil, avocado, flaxseed oil, nuts; and vegetables or fruit.
[Choose organic whenever possible.
] This smoothie gives you high quality protein and some fruit, but to round it out add your choice of omega 3 oil [fish, flaxseed] and some additional fiber.
Enjoy!!! If you thoroughly investigate the whey protein isolate vs concentrate debate, I think you will agree that the whey protein concentrate form is more beneficial to your over-all health.
Sources: 1.
Bounous, G; Gold, P (1991).
"The biological activity of undenatured dietary whey proteins: role of glutathione.
"Clinical and investigative medicine.
Medecine clinique et experimentale 2.
Garcion, E; Wionbarbot, N; Monteromenei, C; Berger, F; Wion, D (2002).
"New clues about vitamin D functions in the nervous system.
" Trends in Endocrinology and Metabolism
It is a liquid by-product of the cheese making process.
When the water is removed from the whey, the resulting powder is whey protein concentrate - a great source of essential amino acids, glutathione, cysteine, and calcium.
To retain these nutrients, the process of water removal must be carefully managed.
For example, heat will destroy several of these nutrients.
Further isolating the protein requires additional processing, and more processing equals a greater chance of damaging the protein molecule.
The isolate form is up to 90% protein.
The other nutrients have been stripped away.
Benefits of whey concentrate Concentrated whey, when properly produced, retains the valuable enzymes, vitamins, minerals and proteins that naturally occur in the whey.
Glutathione is in every cell of your body and is critical in maintaining good health.
It is a very strong antioxidant, and studies show that whey protein concentrate is very beneficial in helping the body to produce glutathione whereas raising glutathione levels via direct supplementation is difficult.
(1) [By the way, vitamin D is also a catalyst for glutathione production.
] (2) Cysteine is an amino acid [i.
e.
protein] that the body uses to help detoxify the organs.
It is also important in collagen production.
It is a component of glutathione.
When shopping for a whey protein concentrate, look for one that has been cold processed to retain these valuable nutrients.
The best quality whey comes from grass-fed cows and is made from hormone-free, pesticide-free, GMO-free milk.
Breakfast smoothie recipe Here is an easy way to get your morning off to a healthy start: 1 Cup plain, nonfat yogurt [try to find organic] ½ Cup berries [organic strawberries, blueberries, raspberries, etc.
] 1 scoop Action Whey protein concentrate I like to use frozen berries to get a colder, thicker smoothie - a little more like a milkshake.
This delicious smoothie will give you 25 grams of protein for about 250 calories.
Each meal should include a good source of lean protein; "good" fat such as olive oil, fish oil, avocado, flaxseed oil, nuts; and vegetables or fruit.
[Choose organic whenever possible.
] This smoothie gives you high quality protein and some fruit, but to round it out add your choice of omega 3 oil [fish, flaxseed] and some additional fiber.
Enjoy!!! If you thoroughly investigate the whey protein isolate vs concentrate debate, I think you will agree that the whey protein concentrate form is more beneficial to your over-all health.
Sources: 1.
Bounous, G; Gold, P (1991).
"The biological activity of undenatured dietary whey proteins: role of glutathione.
"Clinical and investigative medicine.
Medecine clinique et experimentale 2.
Garcion, E; Wionbarbot, N; Monteromenei, C; Berger, F; Wion, D (2002).
"New clues about vitamin D functions in the nervous system.
" Trends in Endocrinology and Metabolism
