Whey Protein Brands

annepage

I've looked at the brands of whey protein readily available and am unsure of which to. Optimum Nutrition, Max Muscle's Max Pro, and Cytoplex. The Optimum nutrition has whey isolate, the Cytoplex has a "mixture" and I've yet to check the Max Pro. Does anyone have experience/input on any of these brands? I'm looking for one that helps with muscle repair not body building. Also, anyone have insight on the difference between whey isolate vs whey concentrate? Thanks.

jzammetti

Everything I've read sys the Isolate is what you want - the blend is not es effective, but I am not a nutritionist. I use one after a run and on days I am short on protein.

I use Isopure Low Carb whey protein. I buy a 7.5 pound tub from amazon for $85 that lasts me quite a long time, like months (and there are two of us eating it). 50 grams of protein and like 3 carbs per 2 scoops.

Lone_Wolf70

I am a very big fan of Nu-Tek Pro 5, 33g of protein per scoop, only 145 cals and it has casein in it. The only downside is it is excusively sold at Nutrishop. I think they are mostly in SE of US

annepage

Thanks. Haven't seen that one yet. Which flavor do you use?

1ConcreteGirl

I posted this the other day in a similar thread, but I think you might find it useful as well.


Whey Protein Isolate is the best (most pure) form of protein; most "100% Whey" proteins are a blend of whey isolate and whey concentrate, which contains a much lower concentration of protein than isolate does (there can be a difference of well over 20%).

Other thing you need to know is that when you look at the amino acid profile for a protein powder, the only number that matters is whatever the lowest number is. The lowest number corresponds to what is called the limiting amino acid--limiting, meaning that is pretty much the most good your body will get out of that protein, because you need the amino acids in equal amounts to create a complete protein. A lot of protein powders will have like 1400mg of one amino acid and 300 of another. That means you're basically buying a protein powder that is wasting 1100 mg of arginine or something, just because it can only use 300 of any of the amino acids.

Short story, it isn't about taste so much as making sure you are getting the best bang for your buck: pure whey isolate and not the cheaply-produced, lower-quality blend (or the even more cheaply produced pure whey concentrate). And that isolate should have amino acids in similar amounts. As for brands, I like Pure Nutrition, Bluebonnet, and Jay Robb.

Specifically for you, protein is merely protein and there are not different types that will help build muscle vs repair muscle.

jackaroo21

bump

annepage

I posted this the other day in a similar thread, but I think you might find it useful as well.


Whey Protein Isolate is the best (most pure) form of protein; most "100% Whey" proteins are a blend of whey isolate and whey concentrate, which contains a much lower concentration of protein than isolate does (there can be a difference of well over 20%).

Other thing you need to know is that when you look at the amino acid profile for a protein powder, the only number that matters is whatever the lowest number is. The lowest number corresponds to what is called the limiting amino acid--limiting, meaning that is pretty much the most good your body will get out of that protein, because you need the amino acids in equal amounts to create a complete protein. A lot of protein powders will have like 1400mg of one amino acid and 300 of another. That means you're basically buying a protein powder that is wasting 1100 mg of arginine or something, just because it can only use 300 of any of the amino acids.

Short story, it isn't about taste so much as making sure you are getting the best bang for your buck: pure whey isolate and not the cheaply-produced, lower-quality blend (or the even more cheaply produced pure whey concentrate). And that isolate should have amino acids in similar amounts. As for brands, I like Pure Nutrition, Bluebonnet, and Jay Robb.

Specifically for you, protein is merely protein and there are not different types that will help build muscle vs repair muscle.

Thank you, is very helpful. What's the highest limiting number of amino acid that you've typically seen? Also, why is it that the lowest mg of a particular amino acid will limit all of the other amino acids you'll be able to absorb from a particular powder?

1ConcreteGirl

I posted this the other day in a similar thread, but I think you might find it useful as well.


Whey Protein Isolate is the best (most pure) form of protein; most "100% Whey" proteins are a blend of whey isolate and whey concentrate, which contains a much lower concentration of protein than isolate does (there can be a difference of well over 20%).

Other thing you need to know is that when you look at the amino acid profile for a protein powder, the only number that matters is whatever the lowest number is. The lowest number corresponds to what is called the limiting amino acid--limiting, meaning that is pretty much the most good your body will get out of that protein, because you need the amino acids in equal amounts to create a complete protein. A lot of protein powders will have like 1400mg of one amino acid and 300 of another. That means you're basically buying a protein powder that is wasting 1100 mg of arginine or something, just because it can only use 300 of any of the amino acids.

Short story, it isn't about taste so much as making sure you are getting the best bang for your buck: pure whey isolate and not the cheaply-produced, lower-quality blend (or the even more cheaply produced pure whey concentrate). And that isolate should have amino acids in similar amounts. As for brands, I like Pure Nutrition, Bluebonnet, and Jay Robb.

Specifically for you, protein is merely protein and there are not different types that will help build muscle vs repair muscle.

Thank you, is very helpful. What's the highest limiting number of amino acid that you've typically seen? Also, why is it that the lowest mg of a particular amino acid will limit all of the other amino acids you'll be able to absorb from a particular powder?

The limiting amino acid can be in the low 100s. I saw a protein powder with 300mg histidine in it and 1400mg arginine, which is where I got my example, but it completely depends on the brand.

The protein powder I am currently using has a limiting amino acid of 967mg, which is pretty good.

Another way to think of the limiting amino acid is to imagine that you are building a barrel with 10-foot wooden staves. Say you run out of those staves and have to use one 3-foot stave at the end. No matter how many ten-foot staves you used, you still have a barrel that can only be filled three feet full with water before the water starts running out. Your body needs the amino acids in pretty much equal amounts to be able to create a complete protein. Does that makes sense?

vanguardfitness

i think optimum is still the best. They also have the lowest heavy metals in their powders

annepage

I posted this the other day in a similar thread, but I think you might find it useful as well.


Whey Protein Isolate is the best (most pure) form of protein; most "100% Whey" proteins are a blend of whey isolate and whey concentrate, which contains a much lower concentration of protein than isolate does (there can be a difference of well over 20%).

Other thing you need to know is that when you look at the amino acid profile for a protein powder, the only number that matters is whatever the lowest number is. The lowest number corresponds to what is called the limiting amino acid--limiting, meaning that is pretty much the most good your body will get out of that protein, because you need the amino acids in equal amounts to create a complete protein. A lot of protein powders will have like 1400mg of one amino acid and 300 of another. That means you're basically buying a protein powder that is wasting 1100 mg of arginine or something, just because it can only use 300 of any of the amino acids.

Short story, it isn't about taste so much as making sure you are getting the best bang for your buck: pure whey isolate and not the cheaply-produced, lower-quality blend (or the even more cheaply produced pure whey concentrate). And that isolate should have amino acids in similar amounts. As for brands, I like Pure Nutrition, Bluebonnet, and Jay Robb.

Specifically for you, protein is merely protein and there are not different types that will help build muscle vs repair muscle.

Thank you, is very helpful. What's the highest limiting number of amino acid that you've typically seen? Also, why is it that the lowest mg of a particular amino acid will limit all of the other amino acids you'll be able to absorb from a particular powder?

The limiting amino acid can be in the low 100s. I saw a protein powder with 300mg histidine in it and 1400mg arginine, which is where I got my example, but it completely depends on the brand.

The protein powder I am currently using has a limiting amino acid of 967mg, which is pretty good.

Another way to think of the limiting amino acid is to imagine that you are building a barrel with 10-foot wooden staves. Say you run out of those staves and have to use one 3-foot stave at the end. No matter how many ten-foot staves you used, you still have a barrel that can only be filled three feet full with water before the water starts running out. Your body needs the amino acids in pretty much equal amounts to be able to create a complete protein. Does that makes sense?

Right, I'd forgotten the part about building a complete protein. That makes a lot of sense. Thank you for your reply.

annepage

i think optimum is still the best. They also have the lowest heavy metals in their powders

Didn't realize metal was a concern in protein powders. Going to check the amino mgs on Optimum and if it checks out, will end up getting that later today/tomorrow.

Some other questions just sparked in my mind. In general, the day after a workout, when you feel sore is that due to a lack of protein and the muscle repair that's going on from the previous day's work? Will increasing your protein the next day help some of that soreness go away the same day or is it essentially "too late" because the adequate amount of protein wasn't absorbed 30 min post workout?

Also, how much protein should you consume right after a workout for optimum muscle repair? Or how do you gauge the amount of protein based on the intensity of the workout?

writemusic4him

Jay Robb is one of the more natural brands and tastes great too. It can be found at a local health foods store or vitamin shoppe or jayrobb.com


Made With 100% rBGH-Free
Whey protein isolate as the protein source

Sourced from grass fed cows not treated with rBGH (Recombinant Bovine Growth Hormone)
25 grams of protein per serving!
Lactose free
Gluten-free ingredients
No fat, No cholesterol
No sugar, No aspartame
No artificial colors, flavors or sweeteners
No casein, No msg
Made with stevia
Mixes with a blender or shaker bottle

jzammetti

I never knew to look at the amino acid profile. Thanks for that info. My isopure protein powder says this:

"IsoPure is rich in branched chain amino acids and glutamine including: per serving


■Isoleucine 3465mg

■Leucine 7865mg

■Valine 3080mg

■L-Glutamine 4.6g (4600 mg)"

that seems good to me...

xF7x

Sorry... not the question you are asking.. but just a perspective.

I buy by price and what it tastes good.

Honestly, unless (my opinion) you are really like a competing dedicated athlete, to me it is not that much important as it is, to work HARD and eat enough.

So I buy the walmart brand $15/ 2lbs. Super advanced whey protein. I make my shakes in the morning, make recipes with it as well, so I try to keep protein intake as much as I can. Tops 180 grs/day.

annepage

Sorry... not the question you are asking.. but just a perspective.

I buy by price and what it tastes good.

Honestly, unless (my opinion) you are really like a competing dedicated athlete, to me it is not that much important as it is, to work HARD and eat enough.

So I buy the walmart brand $15/ 2lbs. Super advanced whey protein. I make my shakes in the morning, make recipes with it as well, so I try to keep protein intake as much as I can. Tops 180 grs/day.

Didn't think to check tehre, but will now. I read protein intake is based on lean muscle mass and found a lean muscle mass calculator online. Is it correct that you just eat the same amount of grams per day as the total lean muscle mass you have? If that's true, the MFP one calculated for me is about half of that. Unsure why.

xF7x

Sorry... not the question you are asking.. but just a perspective.

I buy by price and what it tastes good.

Honestly, unless (my opinion) you are really like a competing dedicated athlete, to me it is not that much important as it is, to work HARD and eat enough.

So I buy the walmart brand $15/ 2lbs. Super advanced whey protein. I make my shakes in the morning, make recipes with it as well, so I try to keep protein intake as much as I can. Tops 180 grs/day.

Didn't think to check tehre, but will now. I read protein intake is based on lean muscle mass and found a lean muscle mass calculator online. Is it correct that you just eat the same amount of grams per day as the total lean muscle mass you have? If that's true, the MFP one calculated for me is about half of that. Unsure why.

Sorry can't give you much advice here. My only suggestion is to do some research and maybe start another thread for your reference.
I personally don't spend too much worrying about exact numbers or trying to learn a "new" science. I like to do what I think it is MY understanding and go from there.
As fas as I am concerned, there are no absolutes, but general guidelines. Some things work better for some than others.
It is a learning curve you have to go thru. My opinion.

lilpoindexter

I used to use the cheap *kitten* body fortress you can get at walmart...I still have half a tub taking up space in the pantry. If your diet is complete, I don't think you need it. I talk to other dudes, and they say they are more swoll, or they recover faster or whatever, but I didn't really notice any effects.

AnvilHead

...I read protein intake is based on lean muscle mass and found a lean muscle mass calculator online. Is it correct that you just eat the same amount of grams per day as the total lean muscle mass you have?

1g / lb. of lean body mass is a very common recommendation. Here's a great thread about how to set your macros:

http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/819055-setting-your-calorie-and-macro-targets

If that's true, the MFP one calculated for me is about half of that. Unsure why.

By default, MFP sets your protein at 15% of your diet, which is very low for most people. If, after reading the above thread, you want to go in and change your settings, go to Goals > Change Goals > Custom.

strongmind_strongbody

I just stopped by to stare at xf7x again...


but anyways, while I'm here I'll give my opinion. I buy for taste and mixability. I don't like to use a blender. I just mix mine with water and a spoon, and chug it. Optimum Nutrition is the best I've found for this purpose. The Double Rich Chocolate is very tasty and mixes smoothly. I try to eat 1.5 gms of protein per lb of LBM, but I AT LEAST hit 1 gm per lb of LBM every day. You'll get a lot of opinions on that...I'm not here to argue, just to share my opinion. Best wishes!! :drinker: