Whey Protein Powder - The Most Popular Protein Powder on the Market

Forms Of Whey Protein

Concentrates:
Are low fat, low cholesterol, but tend to be higher on the carbohydrate side of things. But remember, carbohydrates are not a bad thing. Concentrates also have the lowest absorption of protein in the 50% range. These are usually the cheapest form of whey protein powder you can get. So if you are looking for a bargain, go for it, but if you want a good product I would recommend the next type.

Isolates:
Remove the fat and lactose. This is a good thing for those of us that are lactose intolerant. If you want a whey protein powder to supplement your diet but are lactose intolerant, this is a good choice. Because of the higher concentration in protein, your body is able to absorb around 70-80% of it. That's pretty impressive.

Hydrolysates:
Have the highest concentration of protein, topping absorption off around 99%. Fat and lactose are removed, but absorption is improved dramatically. These are the top brand powders and will run you the most money.

If you are looking for a great overall whey protein powder, Extreme Fitness Now highly recommends Gold Standard - 100% Whey Protein. It's a great all around protein powder that tastes great. I use it during the day at work as a snack or to drink after my workouts. You can read the review by clicking on the link above.

Where Does Whey Protein Come From?

This type of protein is the most popular protein powder out on the market. It is considered the ultimate source of protein from a powder. Whey is separated out during the process of turning milk into cheese in was is called curdling. Whey protein has the highest value in branched-chain amino acids (better than most dairy products!) which help in building and retaining muscle mass.

What does the science say?

Being a former scientist myself, I love looking at the science of things. Studies have shown that when compared to other sources of protein, whey protein has the perfect combination of amino acids. They are contained in the right concentrations resulting in optimal performance in the body. Whey also plays a role as an antioxidant, meaning it helps to boost your immune system as a whole.

What more could you ask for?

Who needs it?

Whey is very important for bodybuilders that are looking to put on some serious muscle mass, but whey is useful to just about everyone. Whey protein has glutamine which is a muscle enhancer and also help lower muscle mass deterioration. This is something that is very important as we get older. I am not old yet, but I can already feel the effects of aging.

You can lose up to 3% of muscle a year after the age of 30 if your do not exercise. That also means extra fat will be increasing as your body's metabolism slows down.

Whey will help your muscles recover faster from any type of workout. Protein is also good for those on a diets. If taken as a snack bewteen meals, it can help balance blood sugar levels throughout the day. Level blood sugar leads to less cravings and binge eating.

I know many friends that are vegetarian that use whey protein powder as a suplement. Whey protein can be a very important source of protein for vegetarians that do not eat meat. Is also contains the essentials amino-acids found only meat products. I am not a vegetarian, but it seems like this would make a great supplement.

How much protein should I take?

The recommended amount is around 25-50g of whey protein a day. This is usually 1-2 servings a day. Body builders looking for serious gains have been known to consume as much as 150g per day. These extreme amounts of orotein are not required.

If you have 1 serving after your workout at the gym like I used to do, you are going to get the benefits without overloading your body on protein. There is no need take this stuff 4-5 times a day.

Are there Side Effects?

The only side effect that can occur from taking any type of protein supplement is that you could overload your liver and/or kidneys by consuming large amounts of protein. Stay within the recommended amounts and you should be fine. Read our more detailed report here. You can also read about the many benefits of whey protein here.