What is Whey Protein Powder and Which Products are Best?

Learn about and buy whey protein concentrate, whey protein isolate and hydrolyzed whey protein.

Whey protein powder has become the most popular in the market. Its prescribers range from bodybuilders to dieters to those who simply enjoy a healthy lifestyle. However, there is a wide spectrum of protein powders available, other than whey. So then, why is whey protein powder the most popular?

(Below is a selection of top rated whey protein isolate, whey protein concentrate, hydrolysed whey protein, and pure whey protein powders. All are high-rated, so you want go wrong with any of these)

First and foremost its popularity comes from the fact that whey protein powder has the highest biological value (BV) of all protein sources. BV is a grading system for how well different protein food sources are absorbed into muscles and cells for rebuilding and repair. Knowing the BV of foods is important information for bodybuilders and athletes. Choosing foods with the highest BV can have a strong impact for professional athlete's progress in developing muscular strength.

BV Chart:
Whey Protein Isolate = 159
Whey Protein Concentrate = 104
Eggs whole = 100
Eggs white = 88
Chicken / Turkey = 79
Fish = 70
Lean Beef = 69
Cow's Milk = 60
Unpolished Rice = 59
Brown Rice = 57
White Rice = 56
Peanuts = 55
Peas = 45
Whole Wheat = 49
Soy beans = 47
Wholegrain Wheat = 44
Corn = 36
Dry Beans = 34
White Potato = 34

When the BV of foods were first charted - before the invention of protein powders - whole eggs held the spot with the highest BV of 100. So 100 is the standard from which we can compare the BV of all protein sources.

As you will see in the BV chart, there are two types of whey protein powder; whey protein isolate and whey protein concentrate. The majority of whey protein powder on the market is in the form of whey protein concentrate with some added whey protein isolate. Economics plays a big part in this. Whey protein concentrate is a less pure form than the isolate and therefore is cheaper. However, the whey protein isolate does have a higher BV than the concentrate, hence the higher price.

Whey comes from milk protein. 20% of the protein in milk is comprised of whey and the other 80% is made up of casein. Casein is also available as a protein powder, but is less popular due to its lower BV. All whey protein isolates are 90 - 98% pure protein and contain much less fat and lactose than concentrates. The whey protein concentrates contain about 70 -85% pure protein. So even though concentrates are an excellent product, isolates at the top level standard.

A product called "100% Whey Protein" by a highly esteemed company called "Optimum Nutrition" has stood out a full head and shoulders above the crowd. Optimum Nutrition 100% Whey Protein Powder is the #1 best selling protein powder supplement that is preferred by many athletes and body builders. It has one numerous awards for its high quality content, taste and ease of digestion. Each tub is -

• Packed with Whey Protein Isolates
• Higher Pure Protein Percentage
• Fast-Acting HYDROWHEY Whey Peptides
• Provides Whey Protein Microfractions
• More than 5 grams of BCAAs
• Over 4 grams of Glutamine & Precursors
• Instantized to Mix with a Spoon

The marketing of "Pure Whey Protein Powder" can be (and often is) missleading. You will see many brands advertising their whye protein powder as "Pure Whey Protein Powder", but when you look at the ingredients you will see that there are calories supplied by sugar/lactose and also by fat - so how can it be pure?!

The missleadingness is in the fact that the protein used in these "Pure Whey Protein Powders" is 100% whey protein and not from any other source of protein like casein and soy.

So if you are genuinely looking for a whey protein powder supplement that is 100% free of lactose and fat, then you will need to dig hard and deep. Fortunately, I have found one called Olympian Pure Whey Isolate - see blue box just above.

Whey protein powder is digested more quickly and easily than other protein food sources and powders. Whey reaches the muscles faster than other proteins. Hence, whey is considered to be the perfect post-workout supplement for starving muscles in need of an immediate supply of protein. For the very same reason, whey is also a great pre-workout snack when mixed with fruits or other sources of carbohydrates. It is gentler to digest and won't slow you down in the way "heavier" proteins may during your workout.