Whey or Casein?

perfect_storm

Which one is better? What are the pros and cons? This choice confuses me

FrauHaas2013

I'm no expert on the subject, but I have read that whey is good for AM and casein for PM. (Whey is fast-absorbing; casein is slow-absorbing.) Either one of these 2 articles might help:

http://www.bodybuilding.com/fun/casein_vs_whey_protein.htm
http://www.livestrong.com/article/428023-casein-protein-powders-vs-whey-protein-powders/

pittjenn

The difference is how quickly they are absorbed by your body. Whey is used up very quickly, casein takes most of the day. Here's a powder (disclaimer: I use it :P) that describes why they choose to use a blend of whey, egg white, and casein in their product. Even if you don't want their product, it's a good basic description.
http://truscience.com/trutein.html (Click on the "Triple Protein" button)

karllundy

BUMP for responses

tmpecus78

The main difference between the two is how fast your body absorbs them. Casein is a very slow digesting protein while whey is a fast digesting protein.

here's a great article that you give you all the info you are looking for: http://www.nutritionexpress.com/showarticle.aspx?articleid=787

Summary from link: Because whey and casein have different but complementary effects, many people keep both types on hand and use them differently throughout the day—whey in the morning and after workouts and casein before bed. Or you can mix whey protein into a large glass of milk (about 80% casein) to combine the benefits of both. Research shows these proteins support greater increases in lean body mass and decreases in body fat as part of a resistance training program.

donohoe4

Whey is fast absorbing. I take this around my workouts.

Caesin is slow absorbing. I make it into a pudding and have it at night for a snack and it is used up during sleep.

perfect_storm

Thanks for all of the great links and info! I am no longer confused.

tamadrummer001

So since the fact that Whey is fast acting and Casein is slow acting has been addressed already I will address the taste difference.

For the sake of keeping the comparison equal I will use milk as my liquid of choice in mixture and chocolate as my flavor of choice

Second caveat: I use Optimum Nutrition products exclusively since they meet my nutritional needs and also taste flipping great IMHO.

Whey literally makes the milk taste like chocolate milk or even better hot cocoa depending on the amount of whey used to the amount of milk used and also the type of chocolate flavor used. I prefer the Extreme Milk Chocolate flavor over the Double Rich chocolate flavor. It is supposed to be used for Pre-work out 60 minutes before your work out, or 15 to 30 minutes post work out and then can also be used as a supplemental serving of protein if you are unable to make your protein requirements for the day. The texture is literally like that of chocolate milk, or if you have ever tasted ensure/boost supplemental nutrition shakes, that texture.

Casein on the other hand is nothing even similar to Whey other than the fact that it is protein. I do not like Casein mixed with water at all! I can tolerate it mixed 50/50 1% organic milk and water or 100% of the same milk but I don't like that thick, thick, thick bubbly/frothy type of shake but while thick it has a thinned flavor if that makes any sense. When mixed with at least 50% milk, the protein is still very thick but very smooth and creamy with some bubbles/froth but not as much as with water. Also the texture is not in any way smooth with either medium but in water it is very grainy. In milk, it is still a little grainy but it isn't horrible. I drink a Casein shake every night at bedtime and actually look forward to it pretty often but if I have to have it in water, I really don't look forward to it. As far as the flavor, I use the Chocolate Supreme flavor and it has a nice chocolaty taste but it isn't a super powerful chocolate flavor. I have tried mixing PB2 and chocolate PB2 in and did not like either. I still drank the shake regardless because I need every gram of protein I get each day and throwing away money isn't in the cards, just gotta drink it fast and shake it off.

I would recommend buying a high quality Whey protein with Isolates as the primary source, then concentrates as the secondary source. Hydrolyzed Whey is an unnecessary expense unless you are a gastric bypass patient or something like that.

I love Optimum Nutrition products and would not hesitate to recommend them, but I also really like BSN (Owned by the same company as ON but their products are very different) BSN has more carbs and less protein per shake but the flavor is unreal!!!! I also like GNC Wheybolic and AMP products.

Hope this helps