Best Whey Protein FACTS

You may have asked yourself this question. What is whey anyway? I am not going to get into all the scientific details and bore you to tears, so I wil keep this simple.

Whey is a by product of the cheese making process. Once upon a time it was thrown out, until they discovered it is one of the purest forms of protein with very little fat. It is rich in amino acids, the building blocks of muscle. Think of it this way, if Carbohydrate is the fuel, and healthy fats are the oil, Protein is the engine. Whey protein is the Ferrari of protein.

Muscles require amino acids to prevent deterioration, give endurance and build mass. Whey is very well absorbed by the body. Many studies have confirmed the consumption of whey protein drinks at the correct times, facilitate weight loss and muscle gain. Apart from covenience, there are many health benefits being discovered, it has shown to reduce the incidence of prostate cancer as well as strengthen the immune system.

Cocentrate or Isolate
There are two types you may see, "isolate" and "concentrate"Concentrate contains approximetely over 80% protein and "isolate contains over 92% protein. If you want a slow digesting protein then the best whey protein is "concentrate". You can use this throughout the day with or in between your meals. Look for this in your meal replacement protein powders. Many companies use a blend of isolate and concentrate giving you the best of both worlds without breaking the bank. I recommend the higher power whey protein for quality, taste and value.

The main difference is that "isolate" is more expensive as it contains more pure protein. Concentrate is less expensive and contains less pure protein. From a results perspective many people report not much difference between the two. From my own experience, I have both. If I want a protein shake as a quick meal replacement, the best whey protein for me is the "concentrate", but before and after a workout, I want the purest and fastest acting protein and go for the isolate so it can reach my muscle cells quickly and begin the rebuilding. Even though it is more expensive I am not using it as often as the concentrate.

When to take it
For pre and post workouts you will want a FAST digesting protein, the best whey protein for this is called "isolate". The great thing about all protein is that it not only works all day building muscle it is also the most thermogenic of foods, meaning it burns more calories in digestion than any other macro-nutrient helping to keep body fat levels low.

Most people will not feel like a meal after a workout, you could get the same results from a meal, however it is
a)usually not handy
b)not easy to digest.
A protein shake is the perfect pre and post workout meal.

How to use the best whey protein at the correct times.
30 minutes before your workout, make up a shake of whey protein isolate in 1 cup of skim milk (yes milk, you get extra protein, plus the fat burning effect of calcium)Make sure your whey protein has Carbohydrates in it. You heard that right high GI carbs. You will be aiming for as little fat as possible, between 20-30 gms of protein and 60-80 gms of carbohydrates, consume half of it.

By the time you start your workout, the amino acids from the protein will be ready to start rebuilding the muscle you are about to damage from your workout.

The carbohydrate will provide the fuel for your workout, but it does more, it will make sure your protein is not being used as fuel, but is spared to do it's first and main job, repair and build new muscle. As soon as your workout is finished within 30 minutes drink the rest of it.

Several studies compared the effects of the pre and post workout meal on two groups of people. Group one consumed 1/2 their whey protein shake 30 mins before and within 30 mins after their workout. Group two consumed the whole protein shake within 30 mins after the workout only. After 8 weeks Group 1 had gained significantly more muscle mass and lost more body fat than group two!

As a meal replacement
You should be eating 5-6 meals a day and you will need protein at each of those meals, a protein shake is a conevenient and healthy addition to an already nutritious eating plan. Use whey protein concentrate with some added fibre (ground flaxseed) + 1 apple. Now you have a filling meal.

Other health benefits -
Lowers cholesterol, lowers blood pressure and has anti-cancer agents and stengthens immunity. The times you would use the best whey protein are -

1)As a pre and post workout meal
2)As a meal replacement (for fat loss or muscle gain plan)
3)For general health benefits

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