Protein Isolate: Whey & Others, & Top Rated * Crossfit

Protein Isolate is a type of sports nutritional supplement that provides the body with nearly pure protein. There are different types of protein supplements: isolates, concentrates and hydrolysates.

Protein isolate is a form of the highest purification, which contains more than 85-90% (sometimes up to 95%) of protein compounds; lactose (in the case of whey), fats, cholesterol and other components of the primary product are almost completely removed from it. Isolated proteins are one of the most effective forms for gaining muscle mass, and therefore their use is widespread in sports. The type most commonly used by athletes is Whey Protein Isolate.

Proteins in sports nutrition

Protein is the main building block for muscle fibers and many other organic tissues. No wonder life on Earth is called protein. In sports, food supplements are often used to provide additional intake of this essential nutrient.

Proteins have different origins: they are obtained from plants (soybeans, peas), milk, eggs. They differ in the effectiveness of the impact, since they have varying degrees of biological value. This indicator indicates how well the protein is absorbed by the body, as well as the amino acid composition and quantitative content of essential amino acids.

Let's take a look at the different types of proteins, their pros and cons.

Squirrel type	Benefits	disadvantages	Digestibility (g / hour) / Biological value
Whey	It is well absorbed, has a balanced and rich amino acid composition.	Quite a high price. Finding a high quality, highly purified isolate is difficult.	10-12 / 100
Lactic	Rich in amino acids.	Contraindicated in people with lactose intolerance, it is slowly absorbed, unlike whey protein.	4,5 / 90
Casein	It is digested for a long time, therefore it provides the body with amino acids for a long time.	It is absorbed rather slowly, slows down the digestion of other types of protein compounds, suppresses appetite, and has a mild anabolic effect.	4-6 / 80
Soy	Contains a lot of essential amino acids, supports healthy cholesterol levels. Soy contains a large amount of vitamins and elements necessary for the full functioning of all organs and systems.	Low biological value. Soy proteins are estrogenic (excluding isolates).	4 / 73
Egg	Contains a huge amount of amino acids necessary for the growth of muscle mass, there are almost no carbohydrates. It is undesirable to take at night.	The product is quite expensive due to the complex technological process.	9 / 100
Complex	Multi-component protein supplements contain a rich set of amino acids and can provide the body with energy for a long time. Some manufacturers add useless components.	It is possible that the composition contains a large amount of soy protein, which has a low biological value.	It is assimilated slowly, there are no quantitative data. / Depends on the ratio of different types of proteins in the composition.

Making whey isolate

Whey protein isolate is produced by ultra- or microfiltration of whey, the bulk of which is milk sugar (lactose), harmful cholesterol and fats.

Whey is the liquid that remains after curdling and straining milk. This is a residual product formed during the production of cheese, cottage cheese, casein.

Isolating protein from whey is more cost effective than isolating other types of protein compounds because the process is relatively cheap and simple.

Operating principle

The body needs protein to build muscle fibers. These are complex molecular compounds composed of various amino acids. When proteins enter the body, they are broken down into their constituent molecules. They then fold into other protein compounds that are useful for building tissue. The body can synthesize a number of amino acids on its own, while others receive only from the outside. The latter are called irreplaceable: they are extremely important for the full course of anabolic processes, but at the same time they cannot be formed in the body.

The intake of isolated protein allows you to get a full range of essential amino acids, including essential ones. This is extremely important for athletes who consume a lot of nutrients during physical activity, the supply of which must be replenished.

Attention! Heavy metal impurities have been found in some additives. Their number is small, but such elements have cumulative properties, therefore, with prolonged use of the supplement, they can accumulate in the body, having a toxic effect on tissues.

Manufacturers who value their reputation guarantee product quality. For this reason, it is better to purchase products from reputable brands and carefully check supplements so as not to waste money on fakes.

Whey Protein Isolate Composition

Whey protein isolate is 90-95% protein molecules. Supplements contain minimal amounts of carbohydrates (sugars and dietary fiber) and fats. Many manufacturers include an additional complex of amino acids in the composition to make the protein even richer and more digestible. Also, most isolates contain beneficial macronutrients - sodium, potassium, magnesium and calcium.

Useful properties, possible harm, side effects

Sports supplements are designed and manufactured in such a way that, when used correctly, do not cause negative side effects.

Benefits

Whey Protein Isolate Benefits:

high protein content compared to concentrates;
during the production process, almost all carbohydrates, fats, and also lactose are removed;
the presence of all essential amino acids, including essential ones;
fast and almost complete assimilation of protein by the body.

Taking isolated protein is suitable for both weight loss and muscle gain. When dried, these additives help burn fat without losing muscle mass and making the muscles more prominent. For those looking to lose weight, taking whey protein isolate helps provide the body with essential amino acids while minimizing carbohydrate and fat intake.

The rich and balanced amino acid composition allows you to successfully inhibit the processes of catabolism during intense physical exertion.

Disadvantages and side effects

The disadvantages of isolated proteins include their high cost. Since the process of obtaining pure protein is highly technological and requires professional equipment, this is reflected in the cost of the final product.

Another disadvantage is synthetic additives, sweeteners, flavorings, which some manufacturers add to sports nutrition. By themselves, they are not dangerous, they are introduced into the composition to improve the characteristics of the product. However, in some people, certain types of such food additives can provoke digestive disorders, increased formation of intestinal gases, and headaches.

Exceeding the recommended dosages leads to an excess intake of protein into the body. This is fraught with kidney and liver problems, provokes the development of osteoporosis, urolithiasis.

Despite the high content of useful and necessary substances, protein supplements do not provide the body with all the necessary compounds. If a person is overly addicted to sports supplements and does not pay attention to a balanced diet, this can lead to the development of various diseases caused by a deficiency of certain compounds.

Contraindications to the use of whey proteins in any form - diseases of the kidneys and gastrointestinal tract.

You should not take sports supplements during the period of gestation and feeding. Also, such food is not recommended for people under 18 years of age.

Drug interactions

Protein supplements hardly interact with drugs, so there are no special restrictions when taken together. When using protein isolate, the absorption of some compounds from medications may be reduced. Therefore, drugs at the prescribed dosage will not be as effective when combined with isolated proteins.

If your doctor has prescribed any medications, be sure to inform him about the use of dietary supplements. Most often, experts recommend either refusing to take protein isolate for the period of treatment, or making temporary breaks in taking medications and sports nutrition.

The optimal regimen is to take medication 2 hours or 4 hours after taking the supplement.

Protein isolate can significantly reduce the bioavailability of antibiotics, antiparkinson drugs (Levodopa), and bone resorption inhibitors (Alendronate). This is because isolated protein supplements contain calcium. This element enters into active interaction with the active compounds of medicinal preparations, which significantly affects their quantitative penetration into tissues.

Admission rules

It is prescribed to take the supplement in such dosages that for each kilogram of weight there are 1.2-1.5 grams of protein.

It is recommended to consume the isolate immediately after training, mixing the powder with any liquid you drink. It enhances the synthesis of protein compounds for building muscle fibers and inhibits catabolism.

People with an active lifestyle can take the isolate in the morning. Thus, it is possible to compensate for the lack of polypeptides that arose during sleep. For the rest of the day, protein compounds are best obtained from food.

Top Grades of Isolated Whey Protein

Isolated whey protein is marketed by various well-known sports nutrition manufacturers. Let's take a look at the most popular supplements in this category.

Dymatize Nutrition ISO 100. Contains isolated protein (25 g per 29.2 g serving), no fat or carbohydrates. The supplement contains the elements potassium, calcium, magnesium, sodium, vitamins A and C.

RPS Nutrition Whey Isolate 100%. Available in various flavors. Depending on the taste, each serving (30 g) contains from 23 to 27 g of pure protein, 0.1-0.3 g of carbohydrates, 0.3-0.6 g of fat.

Lactalis Prolacta 95%. This supplement contains 95% purified isolated protein. Carbohydrates not more than 1.2%, fats - maximum 0.4%.

Syntrax Nectar. One serving (7 g) contains 6 g of pure protein, with no fat or carbohydrates at all. The supplement contains a complex of essential amino acids, including BCAAs (leucine, isoleucine and valine in a 2: 1: 1 ratio), arginine, glutamine, tryptophan, methionine and others. 7 g of powder also contains 40 mg sodium and 50 mg potassium.

Platinum HydroWhey from Optimum Nutrition. One serving (39 g) contains 30 g of pure isolated protein, 1 g of fat and 2-3 g of carbohydrates (no sugars). The supplement also contains sodium, potassium and calcium, a complex of BCAA amino acids in micronized form.