Why do you think there are so many whey protein isolate supplements on the market today?
Whey protein was once considered a supplement for serious athletes, bodybuilders and those who wanted to pump up in the gym to create extremely muscular physiques.
This was definitely not a supplement that you would have convinced the average woman to use, since it was believed to make men get bulky. The only women interested in getting bulky are those into weightlifting and competitive bodybuilding.
Today, the reputation of whey protein has changed considerably, and that is the reason for this whey protein isolate review.
You can find these supplements in thousands of retail stores around the country, and there are even more brand names selling through the Internet. If you can’t find a supplement that meets your needs in your local stores, you can always find something that fits those needs online.
It is not only men buying whey protein isolate today. Many women now use these supplements to help them burn fat, lose weight and tone up. It is now becoming accepted that women can take in more protein and build some muscle mass without looking too masculine.
The strong female look is actually considered quite sexy by many people. In fact, many women find that look preferable to the super-thin model look that involves very little muscle tone and no signs of strength.
The growing popularity of whey protein isolate supplements is probably due to the increase in weekend warriors and health enthusiasts around the world.
While you hear a lot of talk about the obesity epidemic and the increasing amount of unhealthy food in the world, there are billions of health-conscious people now embracing the health benefits of natural, clean foods and routine exercise.
The increase in health-minded individuals around the world is evident in the popularity of 5K races, marathons, color runs and obstacle courses. These events are big moneymakers for charities, schools and community organizations.
You can find long lists of races across the United States for every month of the year, and there are events held in other countries as well. Some athletes are even pushing themselves to complete ultra marathons and other events that require years of training and incredible levels of physical fitness.
Many of the weekend warriors and marathon runners out there today rely upon whey protein isolate supplements to get their bodies through those intense workouts. The question is why they choose these supplements when there are so many other types of protein powders out there today.
The Perks of Isolated Whey Protein
Whey protein powder in general is considered the best supplement for anyone interested in gaining muscle or increasing bodyweight in a healthy manner. This is due to the amount of protein present in whey and the clean methods of processing that have been developed in recent years. You can find whey protein powders that have virtually no fat or carbohydrates and very few calories, and that is a big advantage for anyone trying to develop a lean, well-toned body.
Whey protein is a byproduct of the cheese-making process. Whey protein concentrate contains milk fat and lactose, which creates allergy problems for many consumers.
Whey protein isolate goes through an extra stage of processing which strips way virtually all lactose and fat to isolate the protein. This isolated version of the whey is at least 90% protein, but a concentrate can be 70-80% protein depending on the brand of powder that you purchase and how seriously that manufacturer takes the quality of their protein.
This difference between whey concentrate and whey isolate is the reason you cannot pick up any whey protein powder and assume that you are buying pure isolated whey. You have to read the ingredient list to see exactly what type of protein is contained in the powder.
Most pure whey isolate powders readily disclose the fact that they are made from pure isolates, so they are easy to spot on store shelves or in online listings.
Whey protein isolate is considered higher quality than whey concentrate because it contains less fat, carbohydrate and lactose with more protein. Whey protein is absorbed into the bloodstream and distributed to muscles much faster than other types of protein, so your muscles get more protein immediately after a workout when you select a pure isolated whey powder for your after-workout supplement.
Many users also like the taste of pure whey isolates better than the taste of powders made from whey concentrates. Many people who are lactose intolerant are able to take pure isolated whey proteins without stomach disturbance because the amount of lactose in the powder is so low.
If you are lactose intolerant, you should find a powder with virtually no lactose and try a small dose before emptying a full shake into you stomach.
When Whey Concentrate is Best
Even with all of those advantages to consuming whey protein isolate, there are some instances in which a concentrate is actually the better option.
For instance, many people use whey protein powders as a base for homemade meal replacement shakes. Since whey concentrate is not stripped of all nutrients like whey isolate, it has more to offer in a meal replacement shake. It may contain less protein and more fat and lactose, but it also comes with a lot of natural nutrients that are stripped away during isolation.
You still need to use other healthy ingredients to create a full meal replacement shake. For instance, you may add Greek yogurt, berries, fruit or leafy green vegetables. The protein and those healthy complex carbohydrates will create a good meal that keeps you full until you are able to make a healthy meal later on.
Whey concentrate protein powders may also be your best pick if you are shopping on an extremely tight budget. Pure whey protein isolate is more expensive than whey concentrate powders because of the purity of the protein, the higher protein content and the extra processing required to create that final product.
You can find many products at decent sale prices online, so don’t assume that all isolates are out of your budget.
Some protein powders combine whey protein isolate and high-protein concentrate. These products are often affordable and offer the extra nutrients found in the concentrate. Just make sure that the isolate is the main source of protein.
You will find many whey protein isolate reviews on this website. Read them and compare them to one another in order to find the best isolate for your needs and your budget.