Whey protein: Beginners guide

Whey protein contains an incredible range of essential amino acids, which are absorbed quickly.

Numerous studies show that it can help you increase strength, gain muscle, and lose significant amounts of body fat.

However, whey is more than just protein. It contains many other nutrients, some with potent biological effects.

It’s one of the best-studied supplements in the world.

 

What Is Whey Protein?

Whey is a mixture of proteins isolated from whey, which is the liquid part of milk that separates during cheese production.

Milk contains two main types of protein: casein (80%) and whey (20%).

Whey is found in the watery portion of milk. When cheese is produced, the fatty parts of the milk coagulate and the whey is separated from it as a byproduct.

If you’ve ever opened a yogurt container to see liquid floating on top — that’s whey. Cheesemakers used to discard it before they discovered its commercial value.

After being separated during cheese production, whey goes through various processing steps to become what people generally recognize as whey protein — a powder that is added to shakes, meal replacements, and protein bars.

It’s important to read the ingredients list, as some products may have unhealthy additives like refined sugar.

Taking whey is a convenient way to add protein on top of your daily intake.

This can be important for bodybuilders and gym enthusiasts, as well as people who need to lose weight or are simply lacking protein in their diet.

Most flavored whey proteins are also rather delicious and can be used to add an incredible taste to healthy recipes like smoothies.

Whey is generally well tolerated, though people with lactose intolerance need to be careful, and some people may even be allergic to it.

 

Whey Protein Supplements Can Help Boost Your Protein and BCAA Intake

Proteins are the main building blocks of the human body.

They’re used to make various important things, including tendons, organs, and skin, as well as hormones, enzymes, neurotransmitters, and various molecules.

Proteins are also the building blocks of the contractile elements in your muscles.

They’re assembled from amino acids, smaller molecules that are linked together like beads on a string.

Some amino acids are produced by your body’s cells, while others are supplied by the food you eat. The ones that you must get from foods are termed essential amino acids.

Proteins that supply all nine essential amino acids are the best, and whey protein is loaded with them.

It’s particularly high in important branched-chain amino acids (BCAAs) like leucine, and also contains a high amount of cysteine.

Studies show that leucine is the most anabolic (growth-promoting) amino acid, and cysteine can help boost levels of the cellular antioxidant glutathione.

In addition, BCAA amino acids make up one-third of muscle proteins, and since training increases the need for them, it is important to provide them in sufficient quantities.

Whey protein appears to be particularly effective at stimulating growth in humans. Human breast milk is 60% whey, compared to 20% in cow’s milk.

 

Types of Whey Protein: Concentrate vs Isolate vs Hydrolysate

There are several popular types of whey protein.

Their main difference is in the way they have been processed.

• Concentrate:

  About 70–80% protein; contains some lactose (milk sugar) and fat and has the best flavor.

• Isolate:

  90% protein, or higher; contains less lactose and fat and lacks a lot of the beneficial nutrients found in whey protein concentrate.

• Hydrolysate:

  Also known as hydrolyzed whey, this type has been pre-digested so that it gets absorbed faster. It causes a 28–43% greater spike in insulin levels than isolate.

It’s the cheapest and retains most of the beneficial nutrients found naturally in whey. Many people also prefer the taste, which is probably due to the lactose and fat.

If you have problems tolerating concentrate, or you’re trying to emphasize protein while keeping carbs and fat low, whey protein isolate — or even hydrolysate — may be a better option.

Keep in mind that even though concentrate is the most popular form, most studies have examined whey protein isolate.

 

Effects of Whey Supplementation on Muscles and Strength

The best-known use of whey protein supplements is to increase muscle mass and strength.

Whey protein is popular among athletes, bodybuilders, fitness models, as well as people looking to improve their performance in the gym.

The ways by which whey protein promotes muscle/strength gain include:

1. Building blocks: It provides protein and amino acids, which serve as building blocks for increased muscle growth.
2. Hormones: It increases the release of anabolic hormones that can stimulate muscle growth, such as insulin.
3. Leucine: It’s high in the amino acid leucine, which is known to stimulate muscle protein synthesis at the molecular and genetic levels.
4. Fast absorption: Whey protein is absorbed and utilized very quickly compared to other types of protein.

 

Anabolic window

Whey protein is particularly effective at increasing muscle growth when consumed right before, after, or during a workout.

Muscle protein synthesis is usually maximized in the period after training.

However, a recent review of the evidence concluded that total daily protein intake is the most relevant factor in muscle growth.

Whether protein is consumed around the workout or not doesn’t seem to matter much.

When compared to casein, the evidence is more mixed. Whey appears to be effective in the short-term, but casein stimulates muscle growth over a longer period, making the net effect similar.

Also, keep in mind that unless your diet is already lacking in protein, supplementing with whey protein is unlikely to have a significant effect on your results.

In a 12-week study in older adults with adequate protein intake, who did resistance training, there was no difference in muscle growth when supplementing with whey protein or carbohydrates.

Therefore, the evidence of whey protein on muscle and strength is mixed, and the results may vary greatly between individuals.

If you’re already eating plenty of meat, fish, eggs, and dairy — all high in quality protein — the benefits of adding whey will probably be minimal.

 

Whey Protein Improves Satiety and May Promote Weight Loss

It’s well known that protein can aid weight loss, as it’s by far the most satiating macronutrient.

Protein can boost energy expenditure by 80–100 calories per day, and make people automatically eat up to 441 fewer calories per day.

In one study, eating 25% of the daily calories in protein cut cravings by 60% and reduced the desire for late-time snacking by half.

Taking whey protein is a great way to increase your protein intake, which should have major benefits for weight loss.

Studies have shown that replacing other sources of calories with whey protein, combined with weight lifting, can cause weight loss of about 8 pounds (3.5 kg) while increasing lean muscle mass.

If you’re trying to lose weight, a whey protein supplement can help you both lose weight and hold on to your muscle.

 

Other Health Benefits of Whey Protein

Whey is more than just a high-quality protein source, it also contains other beneficial nutrients.

This includes lactoferrin, beta-lactoglobulin, alpha-lactalbumin, and immunoglobulins, which play an important role in the body’s immune system.

Immunoglobulins are produced mainly in plasma cells that the immune system uses to neutralize pathogens such as pathogenic bacteria and viruses.

Thus, increased intake of these antibodies strengthens the body’s immunity or its protective barrier that protects against disease.

Other health benefits include lowering blood pressure, blood sugar and reducing symptoms of stress and depression.

It also protects against cancer, reduces symptoms of hepatitis, increases bone mineral density, improves immune function in HIV patients, and increases the lifespan of mice.

The fact that whey protein is very high in the amino acid cysteine seems to mediate many of these health benefits.

Cysteine does this by raising levels of glutathione, the main antioxidant substance in your body’s cells.

 

Dosage and Side Effects

Even in conventional scientific circles, experts agree that athletes and bodybuilders need a daily protein intake of approximately 1.8 g per kilogram of body weight.

Keep in mind that if your protein intake is already high, adding whey protein on top of your current intake may be completely unnecessary.

Concerns about protein causing kidney damage and contributing to osteoporosis are unwarranted.

Protein has been shown to protect against osteoporosis while having no impact on healthy kidneys.

However, people with current kidney or liver issues may want to avoid whey protein or at least consult with a medical professional before taking it.

Eating too much whey protein can cause digestive issues such as nausea, flatulence, diarrhea, pain, and cramping. Some people are also allergic to whey.

If you can’t tolerate regular whey protein concentrate, isolate or hydrolysate may be more appropriate.

Alternatively, you could simply avoid whey protein and eat other protein-rich foods instead.

But generally speaking, whey protein has an excellent safety profile and most people can consume it without problems.

If you are interested in similar topics, you can continue reading here.